





iH'' 



.^■.. t-% 






'ii^m 












V"' 





















GoiPgIit^i«_ 



COPyRIGHT DEPOSm 



The New Testament 



REVISED AND TRANSLATED 

// 



^^ 



BY 
A. S. WORRELL, A. M, 



'With Notes and Instructions 



DESIGNED TO AID THE EARNEST READER IN OBTAINING A CLEAR 

UNDERSTANDING OF THE DOCTRINES, ORDINANCES, 

AND PRIMITIVE ASSEMBLIES, AS REVEALED 

IN THESE SCRIPTURES. 



With Numerous Suggestions as to How the Reader May Utilize the Wonderful 
Possibilities Set Forth in The Word. 



PUBLISHED BY 

A. S. WORRELL, 

LOUISVILLE, KY. 
1904. 






LIBRARY of congress] 


Two Copies 


Received 


DEC 31 


I9U4 


Gou^riBiii tniry 
CUSS a XXc. Noi 

/a / A 3 d 

COPY B. 



Copyright, 1904, 

by 
A. S. WORRELL. 



NAMES OF THE BOOKS OF THE NEW TESTAMENT. 



No. of Written 

chapters. about. 

Matthew 28 A. D. 38 

Mark 16 " 65 

Luke 24 " 64 

John 21 " 90 

The Acts 28 " 64 

Romans 16.' " 60 

1 Corinthians 16 " 59 

2 Corinthians 13 " 60 

Galatians 6 " 58 

Ephesians 6 " 64 

Philippians 4 " 64 

Colossians 4 " 64 

1 Thessalonians 5 " 54 



2 Thessalonians .. 

1 Timothy 

2 Timothy 

Titus 

Philemon 

Hebrews 

James 

1 Peter 

2 Peter 


No. of 
chapters. 

3 

, 6 


Written 
about. 
. . .A. D. 54 
... " 65 


...... 4 


... " 68 


3 

1 

13 

5 

5 

3 


... " 65 

... " 64 
... " 64 

... /• 6a 

... " 60 
" 66 


1 John 

2 John 

3 John 

jude 


5 

1 

. 1 

1 


... " 90 
... " 90 
... " 90 
... " 66 


Revelation 


22 


... " 96 



N. B.— It sliould be understood by the reader that the division of the different books 
of the New Testament into chapters and verses was the work of men; and it must be con- 
fessed, with deep regret, that the work, as a whole, was very poorly done; a chapter some- 
times ending where perhaps only a semi-colon or even a comma should have been used; 
and a verse often ending where the slightest division was required. Such errors tend to 
obscure the sense. 

Yet, because all Biblical literature is based upon the above unfortunate divisions, this 
present work follows the same order with a few exceptions. The purpose has been, how- 
ever, to divide the translated matter into paragraphs, rather than to make each verse (as 
in King James' version> appear as a paragraph. 



APPENDICES. 



Appendix (A) furnishes tables of weights, measures and values. 

Appendix (B) gives some hints as to how to use the word in its application to others. 

Appendix (C) supplies a brief outline of the faith and practice of an ideal assembly of 
God. 

Appendix (D) furnishes an alphabetical list of subjects that may supply material for 
many readings and studies. 



PREFACE. 

This Book, in this particular form, is the outgrowth of a solemn conviction that 
such a work was required of the writer by Him Whose he is, and Whom he seeks to 
serve. No conviction less than this could have sustained the writer during the two 
years and a half he has, largely, devoted to this work. The work has been done 
with the view of ijleasing the Supreme Critic, at Whose judgment bar he will have 
to account for the manner in which He has handled His word; hence, the all-control- 
ling motive has been to please Him Who is to be his Final Critic and Judge. 

Tlie work has been begun and prosecuted under the distinct conviction that these 
New Testament Scriptures, with which the writer has been concerned, are the verita- 
ble word of God — His last revelation to this sin-cursed world. Had he believed that 
these Scriptures were inspired only in "spots," he never could have had the courage 
to undertake such a task. Or, had he believed that any of the New Testament teach- 
ings have become effete^ or that they mean less than they did when first given, he 
would have had no heart to embark upon such an enterprise, as their revision and 
publication. Believing, however, with all his heart, that these Scriptures contain 
nothing but "live matter;" that they are as true now, and as applicable to man's 
needs as a tripartite being, as they ever were; and that God stands ready to verify 
all the promises He has given the world and His people in this Book, when His con- 
ditions have been met; the writer, under the guidance of the Holy Spirit (as he be- 
lieves), undertook the immensely^TespbnsilDle task of furnishing to the public, a 
correct revision andTEfanslation of these Scriptures, put up in good style, with brief 
notes designed to help the ordinary Christian, who has no knowledge of the original 
Greek. 

Coupled very closely with a desire to please God by rendering whole-hearted' 
obedience to Him in His requisition upon the writer to execute this work, has been the 
desire — amounting well-nigh to a passion — to glorify Him by this same work. A strong 
desire, therefore, to please and glorify the Triune God^ has glowed in the writer's 
heart from the time the work began, two and a half years ago; and, with intense 
gratitude to the Author and Source of all good, he records the (to many) astonishing 
fact that, during all the labor of revision and preparation of the notes, he has never 
realized any fatigue, in body or mind, worth noticing. On the contrary, his very 
spirit, soul, and body, have glowed, much of the time, with an exhilaration that he 
could but credit to Him Whom he had undertaken to serve, please, and glorify, in 
the execution of this work. 

Of course, absolute perfection is not claimed for this work; but we are confident 
that there are many improvements, which the intelligent reader will not fail to rec- 
ognize, and especially in the following particulars: 1. In the capitalization of the ini- 
tial letter of every pronoun referring to Deity; as, God Who, instead of God who or 
God which. 2. In restricting the solemn form of the pronouns and verl)s to Diety 
alone; using the common uniformly in all other cases; as, The Father loveth the Son; 
The disciple loves his Savior. 3. In the use of quotation marks to enclose a direct 
quotation; as. The Pharisee prayed thus within himself, "Lord, I thank Thee that I 
am not as other men." 4. In the use of pronouns; as, "Happy are those who mourn," 
instead of the usual translation, "Blessed are they that mourn." 5. In the clipping of 
thousands ot uns ivova. the preposition -w^i^o/ as, "He gave the book ^o me," instead 



PREFACE 



of "He gave the book unto me," where the un is not only (in such cases) useless, but 
decidedly clumsy and inelegant. In these five particulars alone many thousands of 
improvements are made even over the late revision of the American Commission, 
and that also of the' English. 

Then, in the matter of translation, the present work claims far greater fidelity to 
the original Greek — especially in the use of two important words— than any revision 
except a few that, like this, have been by individuals; viz., haptut^^^ndi ecclesia. 
Had King James, and all others since his day, dealt honestly with these>w^ words, 
Christendom would not be torn up into shreds, and divided up into competing^^r 
hostile factions, as it now is. Had all these revisers correctly translated instead of 
transferred^ the Greek word haptidzo, Christendom would not be compelled to blush 
at the immense absurdity of calling three entirely different acts laptism. Had they 
translated haptidzo immerse — which the scholarship of the world required — no one 
would have been so simple as to call either sprinkle or powr immersion; but as they 
failed to translate haptidzo, those who are ignorant of the Greek had no certain 
means of knowing that immersion^ sprinhling^ and pouring might not all find 
shelter under this untranslated word, baptize or baptism. Had they translated lap- 
tldzo immerse, then every one would have known that sprinkling and pouring were 
not immersion. Thus an immense wrong has been done in failing to translate taptidzo. 

Then a failure properly to translate ecclesia has, likewise, wrought untold mis- 
chief. The word [compounded of ek out of, and kaledn^to call — hence to call out, or 
those called out from the world to be disciples of Christ], rightly traaelated^jwould 
have afforded no shelter for the vast ecclesiasticisms that have overshadowed and well^ 
nigh crowded out of being the simple, independent, local assemblies, that were es- 
tablished in the first centuries of Christianity. Ecclesia should have been translated 
assembly or congregation; and this would have been a rebuke to those who would 
swallow up all local assemblies in a consolidated denomination, or ecclesiasticism. 
The concrete use of the word ecclesia justifies nothing beyond a local, independent 
assembly of believers; as, the ecclesia, or assembly, at Jerusalem; the assembly at 
Corinth, Antioch, etc.; and the assemblies in Macedonia, the assemblies in Asia, etc. 
The largest body of Christians here on earth that can exist under the use of the word 
ecclesia, is a single assembly or congregation of believers; and all those bodies of Chris- 
tians that have merged their existence into an ecclesiasticism, or organized denomina- 
tion, have simply missed God's thought on the subject. Thus the religious world has 
got into a fearful muddle, and is divided up into almost countless factions, largely 
through the failure to translate laptidzo, and to translate ecclesia properly. The 
word church is no proper translation of ecclesia; and it should never have found its 
way into the New Testament Scriptures. 

The Greek tenses. It is astonishing to note the little regard paid to the Greek 
tenses by the revisers under King James, and by the late English and even American 
Commission. Few, indeed, have "The courage of the Greek tenses," or courage to 
translate them as they are. Eotherham and Young nearly always translate the tenses 
correctly; the late lamented Broadus comes next (so far as the writer's information 
extends) in his fidelity to the tenses; and both the American and the English revisions 
have made great improvement over the revisions of King James in regard to their 
rendering of the tenses, though both of the former are singularly lax in their hand- 



PREFACE 



ling of the aorist mdlcative. If these Scriptures are truly inspired, they must have 
been verbally inspired; and, if verbally inspired, the tense of every verb must have 
been inspired; and, being inspired, every tense ought to be duly translated. To 
handle the tenses carelessly, is to trifle with the word of God. The writer has dealt 
with the tenses as themselves inspired, and he has not dared to translate them other- 
wise than is required by the genius of the Greek language, lie has translated the 
present tense to correspond to the "common," '"progressive," or "emphatic" form 
of the En:»glish present, as the sense seemed to require; the Greek imperfect, which 
denotes incomplete or habitual action in past time, into the progressive, or frequenta- 
tive imperfect tense in English; and the aorist indicative, as the imperfect indef- 
inite in English, to denote completed action in indefinite past time. These are 
the three tenses that are most difficult to render; the present perfect, future, and future 
perfect in Greek, meaning about the same as the corresponding tenses in English. 
It is the business of the translator to translate with scrupulous exactness; and it is 
the business of the reader to understand and interpret the meaning; the former being 
concerned to express in English, (or any other language), just what the Greek (or the 
language to be translated) says; and the latter, to get the best possible meaning out 
of wlvat is said. Many translators seem to have had in their minds just what ought 
to have been said, and they often disregard the Greek tenses to sustain their ante- 
cedent assumptions. In this work, the writer endeavored to lay aside, as far as pos- 
sible, all pre-conceived^nd inherited notions of this inspired Book, and went to work 
to get at just what'it teaches; and, as he has been enabled to grasp the meaning of the 
Greek, he has faithfully, and in the fear of God alone, endeavored to express it in 
pure, up-to-date English. 

There is yet one other matter the writer has not felt free to copy from others; 
viz., the habit of transferring a participial modifier of the subject to the predicate, 
and make it a part of a compound predicate; as, "and having taken a towel. He 
girded Himself," instead of, as some revisions have it, "and took a towel and girded 
Himself." Tliis may make the same general meaning, but it is not true to the Greek; 
and, besides, it assumes the right to put in an "and" that is not found in the Greek, 
This is a very common occurrence in most revisions. 

It is needless to say, after what has been said above, that this book appears in the 
interest of no denomination of Christians; nor does the writer expect any of them, 
as such, to adopt it; albeit, he does expect intelligent Christians, into whose hands it 
may fall, who are hungering and thirsting for the Gospel of Christ, to appreciate it; 
and to help in its distribution over the land, regardless of all petty sect opposition. 
The writer feels sure that those who read and study this version carefully and prayer, 
fully, in connection with the notes, will be led to drop many of the traditions of men, 
and come into the possession of a much larger Gospel, than has been ordinarily dealt 
out to them. The Gospel of Christ, in its fullest meaning, and with all its provisions 
for the wants of our sinful race, is none too large; and it has been one aim Avith the 
writer, all the way through, to bring out, so far as he has been able, the whole truth, 
"as truth is in Jesus." 

"But are you not fearful that your plain translation will injure the sale of 
the book?" No; not in the least; for money has nothing to do with it. A billion of 
dollars could not change the translation of either haptidzo or ecclesia. Tills work 



iv PREFACE 

has been done as to the Lord; and it is His, and all the net proceeds will be His, We 
look to Him, therefore, to manage to give it a wide circulation for His own glory. 
Of course, the co-operation of the lovers of His truth will be gratefully acknowledged. 
It should be remarked that the Greek text of Westcot and Hort, as modified by 
that of Scrivener and others, has been used in the preparation of this work. 

TO THE READKR. \ 

1. The italio words in the body of the Scripture have no word ahss^ring to 
them in the Greek text, but are often understood, or implied; as, "If the world hates 
you, ye know that it has hated Me, before it hated you." 

2. The words of Scripture that are to be explained in the notes, appear in italics-^ 
as, He will give you another Advocate', the Father will give the obedient believer 
wlio loves Jesus another Advocate, meaning here the Holy Spirit. The explanation 
immediately follows the italic words. 

3. The alternative renderings appear just below the body of the Scripture and 
just above the notes. 

4. Whenever the word Heaven appears with an initial capital H, it refers to the 
abode of God, or the place where the Heavenly hosts abide. When it is written, 
heaven, with a small h, or in the plural, heavens, it means the regions above the 
earth, or the firmament. 

Special to the Reader. — 1. Understand, dear reader, that present and eternal 
interests will be subserved by a real understanding, involving an_experimental 
knowledge, of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. 

2. If you really desire such an understanding of these Scriptures, you must 
be taught by the Holy Spirit, (John 14:26; 16:13, 14). 

3. The Holy One will delight to teach you, if you will receive Him, and yield 
yourself to His teaching and guidance, (Luke 11:13; John 14:15-17, 26). 

4. Understand, too, that a willingness to do the will of God is one of the best 
preparations for receiving a knowledge of His will, (John 7:17). 

5. As Christ is the Essence of the Gospel, seek, with all your heart, to know Him. 
Open the door of your heart to Him, and let Him in, (Rev. 3:20); and then, as the 
Holy Spirit enables you to come into heart-union with your Savior (Eph. 3:16, 17; 
John 14:17-21), make it a matter of the very first concern to continuously abide in 
Him, and cherish His abiding in you, (John 15:4, 5). 

6. By all means, find time to study the word — some portion of it — every day; 
invoking the Spirit to teach you its real meaning. 

7. Study all the references carefully and prayerfully. 

8. Study the word under the distinct conviction that it is the inspired word of 
God; and seek, in the study of it, to grasp all its teachings, clearly taking in every 
doctrine, promise, principle, and precept, as well as every provision of the Gospel 
for all the needs of mankind; devoutly praying that you may have grace to appropri- 
ate every provision for your spirit, soul, and body, and thus come to have, so far as 
possible, an experimental knowledge of it. 

9. Finally, seek to convey to others, as far as you can, the knowledge thus 
acquired, to the praise and glory of God. 

10. Study the contents, or outline, of each book, before entering upon its study. 



THE 



aOSFEL ACCORDI^N^a TO MATTHEW^. 

GENERAL REI^IARKS ON THE FOUR GOSPELS. 



In the wisdom of God He has given four independent accounts of the life and ministry of our Lord Jesus Christ. 
In the first three there is much in common, both in the matter and the arrangement ; each writer havini^ his own 
peculiar style. John's Gospel speaks of the Divine Christ, and details some of His sublimest teachings, with but lit- 
tle in common with the other three. The main purpose for which John's Gospel was written is stated in John 20:31 : 
"These are written, that ye may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that, believing, ye may have 
life in His name." 

MATTHEW. 

Matthew, called also Levi, was one of the twelve apostles. He was a tax-collector under the Roman government, 
<Matt. 9:9; 10:3); but when Jesus called him into His service, he left all, and followed Him. Matthew, it appears, 
wrote his Gospel in Hebrew [or a later Hebrew called Aramaic] ; and, later, it was translated into Greek. He seems 
to have written more particularly lor the Jewish Christians. His Gospel was written, it is thought, as early as 
A. D. 38. 

CONTENTS. 

I. The lineage, birth, and childhood of Jesus. (I, II). II. His baptism, (IIJ). III. His temptation in the 
wilderness, (IV)j IV. His sermon qn the mount. (V. VI, VII). V. Heals the sick, and casts out demons, (VIII, IX), 
VI. Sends out His twelve disciples, and gives them power to cast out demons and heal the sick, with instructions 
how to carry on their work, (X). VII. Christ's opinion of John, (XI: 1-14) ; He rebukes the cities for rejecting Him, 
(XI:16-24); reproves the Pharisees, (XII:l-8); heals others, answers the Pharisees, (XII:9-13). VIII. He illustrates 
the nature of the Kingdom of Heaven by various teachings. (XIII). IX. The Kingdom of Heaven rejected in the 
rejection of Jesus, (Xill:57); bv the Pharisees, (XV:12); confessed by the disciples, (XIV:33); by the Canaanitish 
woman. (XV:22); by the multitude. (XV:31);by Peter, (XVI:16), X. His sufferings announced. (XVI:21); [Trans- 
figuration. (XVI : 1-8)] ; second announcement. (XVII :22. 23); third announcement. (XX: 18. 19). XI. Climax of suffer- 
ing, (XXI— XXVII); Triumphal entry, (XXI); Final conflict with the Pharisees and Sadducees, (XXII, XXIII); 
His discourse on the end of the age, (XXIV, XXV) ; His crucifixion, (XXVII) ; His resurrection, (XXVIII). 

N. B.— The above is only an outline of the principal points in Matthew's Gospel; there being many things 
necessarily omitted in so brief an outline. 



MATTPIETV^. 

CHAPTER I. 

1 A book of the lineage of Jesus Christ, 
Son of David, Son of Abraham. 

2 Abraham begat Isaac; and Isaac begat 
Jacob; and Jacob begat Judah and his 
brothers; 3 and Judah begat Pharez and 
Zarah of Tamar; and Pharez begat Hez- 
rom; and Plezrom begat Aram; 4 and 
Aram begat Aminadab; and Aminadab 
begat Naasson; and Naasson begat Salmon; 
5 and Salmon begat Boaz of Rahab; and 
Boaz begat Obed of -Ruth; and Obed begat 
Jesse; 6 and Jesse begat David, the king; 
and David begat Solomon, of the 7vife 
of Uriah; 7 and Solomon begat Reho- 
boara; anci Rehoboam begat Abijah; and 
Abijah begat Asa; 8 and Asa begat Je- 
hoshaphat; and Jehoshaphat begat Joram; 
arid Joram begat Uzziah; 9 and Uzziah 
begat Jotham; and Jotham begat Ahaz; and 
Ahaz begat Hezekiah; 10 and Hezekiah 



begat Manasseh; and Manasseh begat 
Amon; and Amon begat Josiah; 11 and 
Josiah begat Jechoniah and his brothers 
upon^ the removal to Babylon; 12 and, 
after the removal to Babylon, Jechoniah 
begat Salathiel; and Salathiel begat Zerub- 
babel; 13 and Zerubbabel begat Abiud; 
and Abiud begat Eliakim; and Eliakim 
begat Azor; 14 and Azor begat Sadoc; 
and Sadoc begat Achim; and Achim begat 
Eliud; 15 and Eliud begat Eleazer; and 
Eleazer begat Matthan; andMatthan begat 
Jacob; 16 and Jacob begat Joseph, the 
husband of Mary, of whom was born Jesus, 
Who is called Christ. 

17 All the generations, therefore, from 
Abraham to David are fourteen genera- 
tions; and from David to the removal to 
Babylon, fourteen; and from the removal 
to Babylon to the Christ, fourteen genera- 
tions. 



Gr. At the Babylonian removal. 



NOTES ON CHAPTER I. 

t A hook of lineage of Jesus Christ ; a carefully prepared 
record of the ancestors of Jesus on the human side. 

8 Joram Tjcgat Uzziah; there appears to be an omission 
of three kings between Joram and Uzziah; viz.. Ahaziah. 
Joash. and Amaziah. The reason for the omission of these 
names is not obvious; it is supposed, however, that it may 
be because of their connection, through Athaliah, wit'a 
the wicked Ahab. 



1 1 Josiah hcgat Jechoniah : here Eliakim, son of Josiah, 
and father of Jechoniah, is omitted. 

16 Tr?io is called the Ovist: the Christ means the 
Anointed. Jesus was anointed with the Holy Spirit, (Acts 
10:38). to fit Him for His office work. In Hebrew [or Old 
Testament language] He was called the Messiah, which is 
the same as the Christ, or the anointed One. 

17 All the generations ... are fourteen: by certain omis- 
sions which the Jews probably understood ; making, in all, 
forty-two generations, in round numbers, from Abraham 
to Christ. 



MATTHEW 



18 Now the birth of Jesus Christ was 
thus: His mother Mary having been be- 
trothed to Joseph, before they came to- 
gether she was found to be with child of 
the Holy Spirit. 

19 And Joseph her husband, being a 
righteous man, and not wishing to make 
an example of her, purposed privately to 
divorce her. 20 And, while thinking of 
these things, behold, an angel of the Lord 
appeared to • him in a dream, saying, 
"Joseph, son of David, fear not to take 
to yourself Mary your wife; for that 
which was begotten in her is of the Holy 



Spirit. 21 And she shall bring forth a Son, 
and you shall call His name Jesus; for He 
will save His people from their sins." 22 
Now all this has come to pass, that it might 
be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord 
through the prophet, saying, 23 "Behold, 
the virgin shall be with child, and shall 
bring forth a Son, and they shall call His 
nameEmmanuel, "which is, being interpre- 
ted, God with us. 24 And Joseph, arising 
from sleep, did as the angel of the Lord 
directed him, and took to himself his wife; 
25 and he knew her not, until she brought 
forth a Son, and he called His name Jesus. 



THE BIRTH OP JESUS. 

18 Mary, having heen espoused to Joseph; engaged to be 
married to him. JBe/ore; before they were married. Of the 
Holy Spirit : the Spirit was the Author of the humanity of 
Jesus, [Heb. 10:5; Luke 1:35]. 

19 Not wishing to make an example of ter; not wishing 
to expose her to shame. Privately to divorce Tier; Deut. 



20 



; of David ; descendant of David. 



21 Call His name Jesus ; same as Joshua. Jesus signi- 
fies the salvation of Jehovah. He shall save His people; from, 
the pollution, power, guilt, and penalty, of sin. 

22 Thatitmighfbe fulfilled; -which was written in Isa. 
7:14: "A virgin shall conceive, and bear a Son. " (spoken 
more than seven hundred years before). 

23 Shall call His name Emmanuel: this was a proper 
title for Jesus Christ, because He was God manifested in 
flesh, and mingled among the people. 



CHAPTEE II. 

THE VISIT OF THE WISE MEN. 

1 And Jesus having been born in Beth- 
lehem of Judaea, in the days of Herod the 
King, behold, wise men from the east came 
to Jerusalem, 2 saying, "Where is He 
That is born Eang of the Jews ? For we 
saw His star in the east, and we came to do 
Him homage." 

3 And the king Herod, hearing *V, was 
troubled, and all Jerusalem with him; 4 
and having assembled all the high-priests 
and scribes of the people, he was inquiring 
of them, "Where the Christ should be 
born?" 5 And they said to him, "In Beth- 
lehem of Judfea;" for thus it has been 
written through the prophet: 6 "And you, 
Bethlehem, land of Judah, are by no means 
least among the governors of Judah; for 
out of you shall come forth a Governor, 
who shall be shepherd of My people Is- 
rael." 



7 Then Herod, having privately called 
the wise men, ascertained from them ex- 
actly the time the star appeared; 8 and, 
sending them to Bethlehem, he said, "Hav- 
ing gone, inquire ye exactly concerning 
the Child; and, when ye find ITlm, bring 
me word, that I, too, having come, may 
worship Him." 9 And they, having heard 
the king, departed; and, behold, the star, 
which they saw in the east, went before 
them, till, having come, it stood over 
where the Child was. 10 And, seeing the 
star, they rejoiced with exceeding great 
joy. 11 And, coming into the house, they 
saw the Child with Mary, His mother; and, 
falling down, they paid Him homage; and, 
having opened their treasures, they pre- 
sented to Him gifts — gold and frankincense, 
and myrrh. 12 And, having been divinely 
warned in a dream not to return to Herod, 
they departed by another way into their 
own country. 



NOTES ON CHAPTER II. 

1 Of Judcza; to distinguish it from Bethlehem of Gali 
lee. Herod the King; who was an Edomite. a Jewish 
proselyte, and a man of great wickedness and cruelty. 

2 Bom King of the Jews: tradition says that there was 
a very general belief that there would be born in JudEea 
one who would hold universal dominion. We saw His star 
intheeast; no doubt, this star was divinely appointed to 
guide these wise men to the place where the infant Re- 
deemer was born. 

3 Herod . . . was troubled; he feared a rival. And his 
trouble spread like a contagion among the people of 
realm. 

4 High-priests; the chief officers of the Jewish religion 



at that time. The Scribes; the writers and expounders of 
the law. 

5,6 The Prophet: Micah, eh- 5:2. The apostle does not 
quote the exact words, but gives the sense of the prophecy. 

8 That I . . . may worship Him; the crafty king had no 
notion of worshipping Him, but meant to kill Him. 

9 Went before; as they went from Jerusalem to Bethle- 
hem; thus guiding their way. Stood over where the Child 
was; thus guiding them to the very spot. Those who use 
the light God gives them will get more. 

12 Having been divinely wamedin a dream; God has, 
more or less in all ages, given warnings to His people in 
dreaips or visions. Not to return to Herod; God would not 
suffer these wise men to aid Herod in his wicked purpose. 



MATTHEW 



13 And, they having departed, behold, 
an angel of the Lord appears to Joseph in 
a dream, saying, "Having risen, take the 
Child and His mother, and flee into Egypt, 
and be there till I speak to you; for Herod 
is about to seek the Cliild to destroy Him." 

14 And, arising, he took the Child and His 
mother by night, and departed into Egypt, 

15 and was there till the death of Herod; 
that it might be fulfilled which was spoken 
by the Lord through the prophet, saying, 
"but of Egypt I called Uy Son." 

16 Then Herod, seeing that he was de- 
ceived^ by the wise men, was exceedingly 
enraged; and, having sent forth, he slew 
all the male children in Bethlehem, and in 
all its borders, from two years old and 
under, according to the time which he ex- 
actly learned from the wise men. 17 Then 
was fulfilled that wliich was spoken by 
Jeremiah the prophet, saying, 18 "A voice 



in Kamah was heard, weeping and great 
mourning; Rachel, weeping for her chil- 
dren; and she was not willing to be com- 
forted, because they are not." 

19 And, Herod having' died, behold, an 
angel of t/ie Lord appears to Joseph in a 
dream in Egypt, saying, 20 "Arising, take 
the Child and His mother, and go into the 
land of Israel; for those who sought the 
life'^ of the Child are dead." 

21 And he, having risen, took the Child 
and His mother, and came into the land of 
Israel. 22 But, hearing that Archelaus 
was reigning over Judfea instead of his 
father Herod, he feared to go thither; and, 
having been divinely warned in a dream, 
he withdrew into the parts of Galilee; 23 
and, coming, he dwelt in a city called Naz- 
areth; that it might be fulfilled which was 
spoken through the prophets, "A Nazarene 
shall He be called." 



1 Or. mocked. 



2 Gr. Soul. 



13 Take the Child and His mother, and flee, into Egypt; it 
is perfectly easy lor the All-wise God to thwart all human 
schemes, and disconcert the plans of the Devil. 

15 Out of Egypt I called my Son; Hoseall:l; referring 
primarily to the nation of the Israelites, hut applied here 
to Jesus— the Messiah, and Redeemer. 

16 Slew all the male children ; the enraged monster, in 
order, as he supposed, to include Jesus in the number, slew 
all the male children from two years old and younger! 
Learned exactly from the wise men; Herod was particular 
to get the exact time when the star appeared ; supposing 
that the age of Jesus would date from that period; but. to 



make the matter sure, he included in his bloody orders all 
males under two years. 

17 Fulfilled ; the slaughter of the innocents in Jud»a 
was like the scene depicted by Jeremiah in 31 :15. 

18 In Bamah; North of Jerusalem in the realm of the 
tribe of Benjamin, of whom Rachel was the mother. Rachel 
was buried near Bethlehem, where, poetically, she may be 
represented as weeping for her slain descendants. 

23 iVaaoref?!; a town very much despised. A Nazarene; 
one exceedingly odious, as it was foretold that Jesus would 
be. (seelsa. 53:2,3). 



CHAPTER in. 

JOHN THE IMMERSER. 

1 Now in those days comes John, the 
Immerser, preaching in the wilderness of 
Judsea, 2 saying, "Repent ye for the 
Kingdom of Heaven has drawn near; 3 for 
this is he that was spoken of by Isaiah, 
the prophet, saying, 'A voice of one crying 
in the wilderness. Prepare ye the way of 



the Lord, make His paths straight. ' " 4 
And John himself had his raiment of 
camel's hair, and a leathern girdle about 
his loins; and his food was locusts and 
wild honey. 

5 Then were going forth to him Jeru- 
salem, and all Judsea, and all the country 
round about the Jordan, 6 and they were 
being immersed by him in the river Jordan, 
confessing their sins. 



NOTES ON CHAPTER III. 

1 The Immerser; a title given to John, because he im- 
mersed people. In the wilderness of Judaea; bordering on 
the Jordan and the Dead Sea; a country used lor pastur- 
age. 

2 Bepent ye ; repentance is a radical change of mind in 
regard to sin. accompanied by a purpose and a disposition 
never to commit it any more. Since the death, resurrec- 
tion, and ascension of Jesus Christ, repentance becomes 
man's first duty, (see Acts 3:19; 17:30). The Kingdom of 
Heaven; the interests ol Christ in the hearts and lives of 
men ; God's cause on earth. He rules in the hearts of men 
now. and is preparing material for His Millennial reign and 
visible Kingdom on earth. 

3 Prepare ye the way of the Lord; in the original it is. 



"Prepare ye the way of Jehovah." The Messiah is coming, 
prepare the way before Him. The Jehovah of the Old 
Testament is the Christ Jesus of the New. 

4 John's raiment and food indicated great simplicity ol 
life and manners; but in Christ's esteem John was the 
greatest of living men, regardless of his poverty and sim- 
plicity. 

5, 6 There were going forth to Mm ; crowds of people kept 
thronging to him, as indicated by the tense form ol the 
verb. They were being immersed; not that the same peo- 
ple were being repeatedly immersed, but different com- 
panies, in almost a continuous stream at times, kept com- 
ing to him; and they were, one after another, immersed by 
him in the Jordan. 



MATTHEW 



7 But, seeing many of the Pharisees and 
Sadducecs coming to his immersion, he 
said to them, "Broods of vipersi who 
warned you to fiee from the coming wrath! 
8 Produce, therefore, fruit worthy of re- 
pentance; 9 and think not to say within 
yourselves, ''As a father we have Abra 
ham;' for I say to you, that God is able out 
of these stones to raise up children to Abra 
ham. 10 And already the axe is lying at 
the root of the trees; every tree, therefore, 
not bearing good fruit, is cut down, and 
cast into the fire. 

11 "I, indeed, immerse you in water unto 
repentance, but He Who is coming after 
me 'is mightier than I, whose sandals I am 
not worthy to bear, He will immerse you 
in the Holy Spirit and fire; 12 Whose fan 
is in His hand, and He will thoroughly 
cleanse His threshing-floor, and will gather 



His Avheat into the granary, but the chafl 
He will burn with unquenchable fire." 

JESUS IS IMMERSED BY JOHN. 

13 Then cometh Jesus from Galilee to 
the Jordan, to John, to be immersed by 
him; 14 but he was hindering Him, say- 
ing, "I have need to be immersed by Thee; 
and doest Thou come to me ? ' ' 

15 But Jesus, answering, said to him, 
"Suffer it now; for thus it becomes us to 
fulfill all righteousness." Then he suffers 
Him. 

16 And, having been immersed, Jesus 
went up straightway from the water; and, 
behold, the heavens were opened; and he 
saw the Spirit of God descending as a dove, 
coming upon Him; 17 and, behold, a voice 
out of the heavens, saying, "This is My 
Son, the beloved, in whom I delighted." 



7 The Pharisees; a self-righteous, but very corrupt 
people of the Jews. Sadducces; a sect that denied the 
resurrection, and the existence of angels and spirits, 
were very loose in their doctrines and practices. Broods 
of vipers ; John designated these sects as Broods of vipers 
so bitter and malignant were they against the truth. 

8 Fruit worthy of repentance ; showing the reality of 
your repentance, hy forsaking sin in every form. 

9 Think not to say; do not depend on your pious ances- 
tors, but be truly religious yourselves. 

10 The axe is lying at the root of the trees ; if your life does 
not prove you to be a good tree, you will, like a worthless 
tree, be destroyed. 

11 He; Jesus Christ. Will immerse you in the Holy 
Spirit; by the death of Jesus Christ sin was put away ; and 
Christ's ascension to the Father opened the way for every 
true believer to receive the gift of the Spirit. (Luke 11 :13; 
John 4:14; 14:16.17); to be immersed in the Holy Spirit, 
(IVIark 1:8; Luke 3:16); or to be filled with the Spirit, 
(Acts 2:4; 4:8.31; Eph. 5:18). And fire; referring to the 
burning, purifying, cleansing influence of the Holy Spirit 
as He is permitted to fill the believer, day by day, with 
His Holy presence. 

13 Hm w7ieat ; the true Christians. T7i6c7).a#; the wicked, 

14 I have need to he immersed hy Thee; John felt his 



great inferiority to Jesus, and he shrank from the idea of 
immersing Him. 

15 It becomes us to fulfill all righteousness; all the re- 
quirements of God. Jesus having taken the place of the 
sinner, it was proper for Him, by the aid of John's service, 
to iMcture forth in this burial ordinance (Rom. 6:4). His 
own death and resurrection; thus vindicating the justice 
of the law that requires the sinner's death, and his rising 
to a new life. 

16 And he saw; John saw, (see John 1 :33). Descending as 
a dove; in appearance like a dove. This was the Third 
Person of the Trinity. Coming upon Him; the Spirit, as 
a dove, descending upon Jesus, (see Luke 3:22). 

17 ThisisMy Son,theheloved; this is the voice o£ the 
Father gladly recognizing His beloved Son. Who, as man's 
Substitute, had assumed the place of death, as was seen in 
the Immersion, or burial in water, to which Jesus had sub- 
mitted. In whom I delighted; here the tense is theaorist 
and the mode indicative; and so there is but one transla- 
tion to those who have the courage of the Greek tenses. 
The Father, it is true, was always delighted with His So2. 
but now particularly when He saw Him go meekly su'o- 
mittingto the symbol of death; thus showing His readi- 
ness to fulfill the office of the Lamb that was to be slain in 
behalf of the lost race of Adam. This especially delighted 
the Father. 



CHAPTEE IV. 

1 Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit 
into the wilderness, to be tempted^ by the 
Devil. 2 And, having fasted forty days 
and forty nights. He afterwards hungered. 

3 And the Tempter, having come near. 



1 Or, tested. 



said to Him, "If Thou art God's Son, 
speak, that these stones may become loaves 
ofhread.'''' 

4 But He, answering, said, "It has been 
written, 'Man shall not live by bread 
alone, but b.y every word that proceeds 
out of the mouth of God.' " 



NOTES ON CHAPTER IV. 
1 By the Spirit; the Holy Spirit. All who receive the 
Holy Spirit have to be tried. To he tempted hy the Devil; 
or tested by the Devil. Eve was tempted along the same 
lines as those along which Jesus was tempted, (see I John 
2:16) and she fell. Jesus had to stand the same test as 
that under which Eve fell. 



2.3 Hehungered; after His forty days' fast. Makethexe 
stonesloaves ; Satan would have led Jesus to work a miracle 
to satisfy His own hunger, but He refused. 

4 Jt has been, written ; Deut. 8:3. Bj/ewen/ word; obedi- 
ence to God's word in all things is the surest way ot having 
)ur needs supplied, (Phil, 4:19). 



MATTHEW 



6 Then the Devil takes Him into the 
holy city, and placed Him on the pinnacle 
of the temple, 6 and says to Him, "If 
Thou art a Son of God, castTliyself down; 
for it has been written, 'He shall give His 
angels charge concerning Thee; and on 
their hands they shall bear Thee up; lest at 
any time Thou shouldest dash Tliy foot 
against a stone.'" 

7 Jesus said to him, "Again it has been 
written, 'You shall not tempt the Lord 
your God.'" 

8 Again the Devil takes Him into^ an 
exceedingly high mountain, and shows Him 
all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory 
of them; 9 and he said to Him, "Alltliese 
things will I give Thee, if, falling down, 
Thou wilt worship me." 

10 Then Jesus says to him, "Depart, 
Satan; for it has been written, 'You shall 
worship the Lord your God, and Him only 
shall you serve.' " 

11 Then the Devil leaves Him; and, be- 
hold, angels came and were ministering to 
Him. 

12 And, hearing that John was delivered 
up. He withdrew into Galilee. 13 And, 
having left Nazareth, • having come, He 
dwelt in Capernamxi, which is by the sea, 
in the borders of Zebulon and Naphtali; 

14 that it might be fulfilled which was 
spoken through Isaiah the prophet, saying, 

15 "Land of Zebulon and land of Naphtali, 
by way of the sea, beyond the Jordan, 



2 Or, u:Mn. 



6 Cast Tky self doivn; Satan nowwould have Jesus com- 
mit a sin of presumption. Written; Ps. 91:11, 13. Satan 
perverts Scripture, implying that, do what Ee might, Ee 
would be kept from harm. 

7 Toil shall not tempt Via Lord your God; Deut. 6;1G. 
We are not to try God's power, truth, or faithfulness, by 
opposing- his revealed will. 

9 AUthesethingswilllgive Thee; that Satan, as a usurper, 
ha^much under his control, may be seen from Eph. 2:2; 
6:12. If Thou ivilt ivomhip im; Satan wished Jesus to 
worship him. Bere again Jesus defeats him by His skill- 
ful use of God's word ; reminding him that God is the only 
Person worthy to be worshipped. 

U Then the Devil leaves Him; having been thoroughly 
defeated. The way to defeat Satan is to smite him with 
"the sword of the Spirit," as Jesus did. 

12 Bearing that John was delivered up ; meaning that he 
was cast into prison, (Luke 3:20), Galilee; the northern 
part of Palestine. 

13 Capernaum; a town on the north-western shore of 
the sea of Galilee. 

14 Fulfilled; Isa. 9:1, 2. 

15 Galilee of the nations; Galilee bordering on the Gen- 
tile nations. 



Galileo of the nations: 16 The people that 
were sitting in darkness saw a great Light; 
and to those sitting in a region and shadow 
of death Light arose." 

17 From that time Jesus began to preach, 
and to say, "liepent ye; for the Kingdom 
of Heaven has drawn near." 

18 And, walking by the sea of Galilee, 
He saw two brothers, Simon who is called 
Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a 
net into the sea, for they were fishers, 19 
And He. says to them, "Come after Me, 
and I will make you fishers of men." 20 
And, immediately leaving their nets, they 
followed Him. 

21 And, having gone on thence. He saw 
other two brothers; James a son of Zebe- 
dee, and John his brother, in the boat with 
Zebedee their father, mending their nets; 
and He called them; 23 and they, having 
immediately left the boat and their father, 
followed Him. 

23 And Jesus was going about in all 
Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, and 
preaching the Gospel of the Kingdom, and 
healing every disease and every sickness 
among the people. 24 And the report of 
Him went forth into all Syria; and they 
brought to Him all having ailments, 
afflicted with manifold diseases and tor- 
tures, demoniacs, and lunatics, and para- 
lytics; and He healed them. 25 And there 
followed him great multitudes from Gali- 
lee, and Decapolis, and Jerusalem, and 
Judsea, and beyond Jordan. 



16 Saw a great Light ; meaning Christ, "the Eight of the 
world." (See also John 8:12). 

17 Repent ye; give up your sins. For the Kingdom of 
Heaven has drawn near; they must give up sin, if they 
would enter into the Kingdom of Heaven; for nothing un- 
clean can enter that blissful abode, (Rev. 21:27). 

18 Sea of Galilee; called also the sea of Tiberias and of 
Gennesaret. It is a lake about 13 miles long and from 6 to 
9 miles wide. 

19 Fishers of men; soul- winners; rescuing them from 
the grasp of the Devil, and bringing them into the King- 
dom of God's dear Son. 

23 Synagogues ; Jewish houses of public worship. Heal- 
ing every disease; Jesus still heals those who obey and 
trust Him. 

24 Syria; a country east and north of Palestine. De- 
moniacs ; persons largely under the control of demons. All 
people are more or less under the control of demons, until 
Christ comes and drives them out, and puts His own life In 
them, (Luke 11:21, 22). And He healed them; all diseases 
can be healed by the Great Physician. Healing is part of 
f he Gospel, and, as such, it will last through the Gospel 
dispensation. 



MATTHEW 



BEMAHKS ON CHAPTKB IV. 

1 The Devil, or Satan, called also the Adversary, the 
Serpent, Beelzebub. Prince of the Power of the Air, and 
the Accuser, is a fallen being of great power. There is but 
one Devil ; but there are countless demons, who are subor- 
dinated to him, and ready to execute his will. 

2 Those who quote Scripture to pervert it, ought to 
know that they are in the service of the Devil. 

3 We are not to suppose that Jesus had anything in 



Himself responsive to the testings of Satan ; for Jesus was. 
as to His humanity, always "holy, harmless, undeflled. and 
separate from sinners," (Heb. 7:26). Satan tested Jesus, 
first, along the line of His animal nature; then along the 
line of "the pride of life." and finally, (as stated in Mat- 
thew) along "the lust of the eyes. " Luke states it in the 
order given in I John 2:16; viz: "The lustof the flesh, tlie 
lust vf the eves, and the irride of life;" answering to the 
threefold division of man's nature; viz: tha,tot body, soul, 
and spirit, (I Thess. 5:23). 



CHAPTEE Y. 

THE SEEMON ON THE MOUNT. 

1 And, seeing the multitudes, He went 
up into the mountain; and. He having sat 
down, His disciples came to Him: 2 and 
opening His mouth, He taught them, say- 

3 "Happy are the poor in spirit; because 
theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven. 

4 "Happy are they that mourn; because 
they shall be comforted. 

5 "Happy are the meek; because they 
shall inherit the earth. 

6 "Happy are those who himger and 
thirst for righteousness; because they shall 
be filled. 

7 "Happy are the merciful; because 
they shall receive mercy. 

8 "Happy are the pure in heart; because 
they shall see God. 

9 "Happy ar<3 the peacemakers; because 
they shall be called sons of Grod. 

10 "Happy are those who have been per- 



secuted for righteousness' sake; because 
theirs is the Eangdom of Heaven. 

11 "Happy are ye, when they shall re- 
proach you, and persecute you, and say all 
manner of evil against you falsely, for My 
sake. 12 Rejoice, and exult; because great 
is your reward in Heaven, for so perse- 
cuted they the prophets who were before 
you. 

13 "Ye are the salt of the earth; but, if 
the salt become tasteless, with what shall 
it be salted? It is henceforth good for 
nothing, except, when cast without, to be 
trodden under foot by men. 

14 "Ye are the light of the world: a city, 
set upon a liill, cannot be hid. 15 Nor do 
they light a lamp, and put it under the 
measure, but on the lamp-stand; and it 
gives light to all who are in the house. 16 
So let your light shine before men, that 
they may see your good works, and glorify 
your Father Who is in Heaven. 

17 "Think not that I came to destroy the 
law, or the prophets; I came not to destroy, 



NOTES ON CHAPTER V. 

3 Happy ; or blessed. The poor in spirit ; those who feel 
their unworthiness. and take a lowly place at the feet of 
Jesus. The very opposite of the proud and self-sufficient. 
Theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven; such persons belong to 
the Kingdom of Heaven, having been born of the Spirit, 
(John 3:3, 5). 

4 Tliey that mourn ; first over their own. sins; then over 
their sinfulness ; and later over the desolations of Zion. 
Comforted; by the Holy Comforter, Whocomethin toabide 
in the heart that is truly dead to sin, and alive to God. 

5 Tlie meek; those who have lost the fiery nature of the 
self-life, and have become gentle, submissive, patient, 
kind, and non-retaliative. They shall inherit the earth; 
during the reign of Christ. (Rev. 20:4; Zech. 14:9). 

6 Hunger and thirst for righteousness; for the living 
Christ. The soul that is truly hungering and thirsting for 
Ood (Pss. 42:1.2; 63:1; 84:2), can be satisfied with nothing 
short of the living Christ enthroned within. (Eph. 3:17; 
John 14:20, 21). Shallhe filled; shall receive what they de- 
sire, (see John 4:14; Eph. 3:16-19). 

7 The merciful; those who are filled with tender com- 
passion for the sufferings of others, and who show their 
sympathy in a substantial way. Shall receive mercy; ch. 
25:42-45. 

8 The pure in heart ; those who have Christ enthroned in 
their hearts. See God ; have fellowship with the Father 
and the Son. (I John 1 :3; John 14:23). 



9 The peacemakers ; those who are trying to extend the 
peaceful reign of Christ, by inducing others to accept Him 
as their all in all. Sons of God; not merely "babes in 
Christ" (I Cor. 3:1-3), but sons of God by exercising their 
privilege to become such, (John 1:12). 

10 For righteousness' sake; because of their Christ-like 
lives. 

11 Falsely; misrepresenting you, and lying about you. 
For My sake; because of your love for Me, and your like- 
ness to Me. 

12 So persecuted they the prophets; Heb. 11:35-38; II 
Tim. 3:12. 

Salt of the earth ; means of preserving it by yOur 
righteous lives, good examples, and prayers. Become taste- 
lots ; lose its virtue, become worthless, and fit only to be 
thrown out, and be trodden under foot. 

14 Ye are the light of the world; Christians ought to re- 
flect the light of Christ ; but, to do this effectually, they 
must let Him live in them, and show Himself to the world 
through them. 

Under the measure; containing about a peck, dry 
measure. 

16 So let your light shine ; so represent Christ in all youi 
daily walk and conversation, that they will be won, not to 
you, but to Him. 

17 But to fulfill; Christ came, not to destroy the law, oi 
to set aside the teachings of the prophets, but to fulfill 
both. Christ perfectly obeyed the law, and, by His vicari- 



]\1ATTHEW 



but to fulfill. 18 For verily I say to you, 
till the heaven and the earth pass away, 
one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass 
away from the law, till all things be ac- 
complished. 19 Wliosoever, therefore, 
shall break one of these least command- 
ments, and shall teach men so, shall be 
called least in the Kingdom of Heaven; but 
whosoever shall do and teach them, shall 
be called great in the Kingdom of Heaven. 
20 For I say to you that, unless your 
righteousness shall exceed that of the 
scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no wise 
enter into the Kingdom of Heaven. 

21 "Ye heard that it was said to the 
ancients, 'You shall not kill; and whoso- 
ever kills shall be in danger of the judg- 
ment.' 22 But I say to you that every one 
who is angry with his brother shall be in 
danger of the judgment; and wliosoever 
says to his brother ' Raca ! ' shall be in 
danger of the high-council; and whosoever 
shall say, O, foolish 07te ! shall be in danger 
of the hell ' of fire. 23 If, therefore, you 
are offering your gift at the altar, and there 
remember that your brother has ought 
against you, 24 leave there your gift be- 
fore the altar, and go your way, first be 
reconciled to your brother, and then, com- 
ing, offer your gift. 25 Agree with your 
adversary quickly, while you are with him 
in the way; lest perhaps the adversary de- 
liver you to the judge, and the judge de- 



Gr. Oclienna of fire. 



liver you to the officer, and you l)e cast 
into prison. 26 Verily I say to you, in no 
wise shall you come out thence, till you 
pay the last farthing. 

27 ''Ye heard that it was said, 'You shall 
not commit adultery;' 28 but I say to you, 
that every one who looks upon a woman, 
to lust after her, already committed adul- 
tery with her in his heart. 

29 "And, if your right eye is causing 
you to stumble, pluck it out, and cast it 
from you; for it is profitable for you that 
one of your members should perish, and 
not your whole body be cast into Hell. 

30 "And, if your right hand causes you 
to stumble, cut it off, and cast it from you; 
for it is profitable for you that one of your 
members should perish, and not your 
whole body go away into Hell. 

31 "And it was said, 'Whosoever shall 
put away his wife, let him give her a writ- 
ing of divorcement;' 32 but I say to you, 
that every one who puts away his wife, 
except on account of fornication, makes 
her commit adultery; and whosoever mar- 
ries her when put away commits adultery. 

33 "Again ye heard that it was said to 
the ancients, 'You shall not swear falsely, 
but shall perform to the Lord your oaths;' 
34 but I say to you. Swear not at all; 
neither by Heaven, because it is God's 
throne; 35 nor by the earth, because it is 
His footstool; nor by Jerusalem, because 
it is the Great King's city; 36 neither 



ous death, fulfilled tlie law in man's behalf, so that those 
who truly believe in Him are "dead to the law by the body 
of Christ," (Rom. 7:4). They keep the moral law now by 
virtue of Christ's life in them, (Rom. 8:4). 

18 One jot; the smallest Hebrew letter. Or tittU; the 
smallest point in the law — moral and ceremonial— could 
not be set aside. 

19 Least commandments; least by way of comparison 
with others. None are small. Shall be called least ; of least 
importance as a teacher, because he does not teach the 
Whole truth. If this was true of the law. what rank will 
those preachers take, who preach but a part of the Gospel ? 

20 Righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees ; which, at 
the least, was only a righteousness of works, and could 
^ve them no entrance into Heaven, (Rom. 3:20; Gal. 2:16; 
3:11). 

21 In danger of the judgment ; exposed to the judgment, 
(Deut. 16:18) ; death was the penalty for murder. 

22 Angry with his brother ; anger is apt to lead to malice, 
and malice to hatred ; and he that hates his brother is a 
murderer, (IJohn 3:15). The judgment; the judgment 
of God, Who looks at the heart. Moses' law provided death 
for the murderer; but God's law reaches much deeper, and 
consigns to eternal death those who even hate another, un- 
less they repent. 

23 Baca; vain fellow, blockhead; the outgrowth of un- 



restrained anger. The high-council ; that of the Sanhedrin. 
O foolish one; whoever advances in his wrath to such a 
point is in danger of losing his soul in Hell. 

, 24 Your brother has aught against you ; before we can 
pray, or perform any religious service acceptable to God, 
we must, if it is possible, be at peace with our brethren. 

25 Tour adversary ; the one who has something against 
you. But this looks beyond to God Who is the Opposer and 
the Punisher of all iniquity. While you are with him in the 
way ; use your opportunity to be reconciled to your brother 
and to have him reconciled to you. And, especially, do not 
fail to get right with God. while you have opportunity. 

28 In his heart ; the sin of adultery may be committed in 
the heart, so far reaching is God's law I 

29, 30 Is causing you to stumble ; leads you into sin. It 
is profitable for you ; to cut off a right hand, or pluck out a 
right eye rather than to lose the whole body in Hell. 

31 A writing of divorcement ; Deut. 24:1. 

32 Except on account of fornication; this is the only 
Scripture reason for severing the marriage relation. Makes 
her commit adultery ; exposes her to the danger of doing so 
by marrying again. Marries her when put away ; to marry 
one who is separated from her husband is to commit 
adultery. 

33 You shall not swear falsely ; commit perjury. 

33—36 Swear not at all ; this would seem to preclude, no6 



8 



MATTHEW 



swear by your head, because you can not 
make one hair white or blaclc. 37 But let 
your speech be, ' Yes, yes ; ' ' No, no ; ' and 
what is more than tliese is of the evil one. 
38 "Ye heard that it was said, 'An eye 
for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth,' 39 
but I say to you, Resist not the evil raan\ 
but whosoever smites you on your right 
cheek, turn to him the other also; 40 and 
to him who is desirous that you should be 
sued at the law, and to take your coat, 
grant your cloak also; 41 and whosoever 
shall impress you to go one mile, go with 
him two. 42 Give to hini asking you; and 
from him who wishes to borrow of you 
turn not away. 



43 "Ye heard that it was said, 'You 
shall love your neighbor, and hate your 
enemy; ' 44 but I say to you, Love your 
enemies; and pray for those who persecute 
you; 45 that ye may be sons of your 
Father Who is in Heaven; because He 
causeth His sun to rise on evil vien and on 
good, and sendeth rain on the righteous 
and on the unrighteous. 46 For, if ye love 
those who love you, what reward have ye? 
do not even the tax-collectors the same? 
47 And, if ye salute your brethren only, 
what more than others do ye ? Do not even 
the gentiles the same? 48 Ye, therefore, 
shall be perfect, as your Heavenly Father 
is perfect." 



only profanity, but all kinds of legal oaths. It is enougrh 
to solemnly afBrm. 

37 Yes. yes : no, no ; simple affirmation or denial wittiout 
swearing of any kind. 

39 Resist not the evil man ; by rendering evil for evil. 

40 Coat, cloak; the coat was an inner garment, answer- 
ing to a dress coat among us. The cloalc was worn over the 
other, and used much as an overcoat. Grant your eloali 
also; let him have your cloak, too, if he insists on it. 
"Love seeks not her own," (I Cor. 13:5). 

41 Shall inwrcss you to go a mile; this seems to refer to 
governmental impressment; and in all such cases, one 
should be willing to do even more than is required. 

43 Give to him aski7ig you ; this seems to be very plain. 
There was a missionary once who hesitated to explain this 
verse to his African audience; but receiving no rest till he 
did explain it, his heathen audience soon took nearly every- 



thing he had in his home. The king, he.aring of what his 
subjects had done, issued an order that all the goods should 
be returned; and so the goods were found in the mission- 
ary's yard not many days later. God will help those, who 
obey Him, and supply all their need, (Phil. 4:19). 

44 Love your enemies ; this command can be fully obeyed 
only as we let Jesus live and rule in our hearts, and exer- 
cise His mighty love through us. (I Cor. 13:4-7). 

4.5 That ye may be sons of your Father ; if we act towards 
our enemies as God does— bestowing blessings upon them— 
all undeserved on their part, we show our high origin, and 
prove ourselves to be real sons of God. 

46 If ye love those ; those only, who love you. 

48 Perfect as your Father ; we should imitate our Heav- 
enly Father in all His merciful works to sinful men. Our 
Father washes us to become like Him by lotting His Soa 
develop and live His perfect lite in us. 



CHAPTER YI. 

1 ' ' Take heed that ye do not your right- 
eousness before men, to be seen by them, 
otherwise at least ye have no reward with 
your Father Who is in Heaven. 2 When, 
therefore, you are doing alms, do not 
sound a trumpet before yovi, as the hypo- 
crites do in the synagogues and in the 
streets, that they may have glory of men. 
Verily I say to you, they receive their re- 
ward. 3 But, when you are doing alms, 
let not your left hand know what your 
right hand is doing, 4 that your alms may 
be in secret; and your Father, Wlioseeth in 
secret, will recompense you. 



5 "And, when ye pray, ye shall not be as 
the hypocrites; for they love to pray, stand- 
ing in the sj' nagogues and in the corners of 
the streets, that they may be seen by men: 
verily I say to you, they have their reward. 
6 But when you pray, enter into your 
closet; and, having closed your door, pray 
to your Father Who is in secret; and your 
Father Who sceth in secret will recom- 
pense you. 

7 "And, u'hen praying, use not vain repe- 
titions, as the gentiles do; for they think 
that for their much speaking they shall be 
heard. 8 Be not, therefore, like them; for 
your Father knoweth of what things ye 



NOTES ON CHAPTER VI. 

1 To he seen hy them; to gain their favor or admiration. 
All such work is an abomination in the sight of God. 

2 They receive their reward; in the applause of their 
f ellowmen. That is what they aim at ; and that is all they 
get. They have to meet God in the future judgment; and 
they will receive their final reward from Him. 

3. 4 Let not your left hand know; let your deeds of 
charity be known only to the recipient and to God. He 
will, in due time, recompense you suitably. 



5 Be ye not as the hypocrites ; who parade their piety be- 
fore the public, trying to add to their own popularity 
thereby. 

6 Enter into your closet ; have a private place for your 
personal prayers. 

7 Use not vain repetitions; words without meaning, or 
needlessly going over the same thing. As the gentilm: all 
people other than the Israelites. For their much speaking; 
their many words; supposing that their words halsome 
merit in them, and that the more they said, the more likely 
they would be to be heard, (see I Kings 18:26). 



MATTHEW 



nor rust consumes, and where theives do 
not break through,'^ nor steal; 21 for 
where your treasure is, there will your 
heart be also. 

22 ''The lamp of the body is the eye. 
If, therefore, your eye be sound, your whole 
body will be full of light; 23 but, if your 
oye be evil, your whole body will be dark. 
If, therefore, the light tliat is in you be 
darkness, how great the darkness ! 

24 "No one can serve two masters; for 
either he will hate the one, and love the 
other; or he will hold to one, and despise 
the other. Ye cannot serve Grod and Mam- 
mon. 25 Therefore, I say to you, be not 
anxious for your life,'' what ye may eat, or 
what ye may drink; nor for your body, 
what ye may put on. Is not the life'' more 

receive their reward. 17 But, wlitn fast-jthan the food, and the body than the rai- 

ing, anoint your head, and wash your face, iment? 26 Behold the fowls of the heaven, 

18 that you appear not to men to he fasting, 

but to your Father Who is in secret; and 

your Father Who seeth in secret will 

recompense you. 

19 "Lay not up for yourselves treasures 

upon tlie earth, where moth and rust con- 
sume,' and where thieves break through,' 

and steal; 20 but lay up for yourselves 

treasures in Heaven, where neither moth 



have need before ye ask Ilini. 9 Thus, 
therefore, pray ye : ' Our Father, Who art 
in Heaven, Hallowed bo Thy name. 10 
Thy Kingdom come; Thy will be done, as 
in Heaven, so on earth. 11 Give us this 
day our daily bread. 12 And forgive us 
our debts, as we also have forgiven our 
debtors. 13 And bring us not into temp- 
tation, but deliver us from the evil one.' 

14 For, if ye forgive men their tres- 
passes, your Heavenly Father will also for- 
give you; 15 but, if ye forgive not men 
their trespasses, neither will your Father 
forgiv^e your trespasses. 

16 "And, when ye fast, be not as the 
hypocrites, of a sad countenance; for they 
disfigaire their faces, that they may appear 
to men to fast. Verily I say to you, they 



that they sow not, nor reap, nor gather into 
barns; and your Heavenly Father feedeth 
them. Are not ye much more vakiable 
than they? 27 And who of you, by being 
anxious, can add to his stature one cubit? 

28 And why are ye anxio\is about clothing? 
Consider the lilies of the field, how they 
grow; they toil not, neither do they spin; 

29 but I say to you that even Solomon in 



1 Or. disfigure. 2 Dtg tlirough. 



Soul. 



9 Thus pray ye; this, as a model, is at once concise, 
pointed, and comprehensive. It contains the invocation, 
six petitions, and the doxology; three of these petitions 
pertaining to God, and three to the petitioner. Our Father; 
the rightful Sovereign of all, the Father of our Lord Josus 
Christ, and, hence, the Father of all who truly helieve in 
Christ, True believers are children of God by faith in 
Jesus Christ, (Gal. 3:26). Hallowed he' Thy name; Thy 
name he sanotiflcd, made holj', revered, honored, adored. 

10 Thy Kingdom come; into the hearts of Thy people, 
till all shall know Thee. It probably includes the Millen- 
nial reign also, when the meek shall inherit the earth. 
Thy viJl he done; everywhere in all the earth, as it is done 
in Heaven, 

11 Give us th is day our daily hread; or with Rotherham. 
our "needful bread." Bread is the gift of God, appointed 
to sustain life, and needful to this end. 

12 Forgive us our debts; our sins. Debtors; those who 
have sinned against us. 

13 Bring us not into temptation; keepus out of all perils, 
and from the way of the despoiler. Deliver us from the 
evil one; from Satan; 

14, 15 If we expect God to forgive us, we must forgive 
others who have done us wrong. An unforgiving person is 
an unforgiven person. 

16 Disfigure their faces ; by failing to wash them, and by 
leaving their hair and beard undressed. 

17 .Anoint i/our?ica;i; with oil, and appear as usual. Let 
not your unusual manner draw attention to you. 

19 Treasures upon the earth ; earthly riches, which most 
men regard as their chief good. 



20 Treasures in Heaven ; loving deeds of obedience, feed- 
ing and clothing God's poor, carrying or sending the Gos- 
pel to others. These are the deeds that will bring reward 
and blessing in the lite to come. 

21 Til ere will your heart be; ourheartsoling to our treas- 
ures. If our treasures are laid up in Heaven, our hearts 
will be there also, and God's blessing will crown our lives. 

23 If your eye be sound ; sound and clear in vision. 

23 If your eye he evil ; diseased, unable to see clearly. 
Willbedark; be enveloped in darkness. The deeper teach- 
ing is. that, if one's spiritual vision is not clear, his spirit- 
ual being will be in darkness and wretchedness. How great 
is the darkness ; if the powers which God gave us to discern 
the good are so distorted as to lead us to choose the evil, 
how intense must be our darkness I 

24 Serve two masters ; Yield obedience to two rival mas- 
tors; such as God and Mammon, or riches. 

25 Benotanxious for your life; anxiety is always sinful, 
because it implies that God is not made the supreme object 
of one's care. What one eats, drinks, and wears, embrace 
all the necessities of life. God has given us life; will He 
not provide all that is necessary to sustain it ? Having 
given us bodies, will He not provide the clothing needful 
for their comfort ? 

23 Mueh more valuable than they ; If God feeds the less 
valuable, will He not also feed the more valuable ? 

27 By being anxious; by concentrating all his care and 
interest on the point. Can add to his stature one cubit ; or 
make himself any taller than nature made him. Some 
understand that the word stature here means age; but a 
nihit is not a measure of time, but of space; as length, 
breadth, or height. 



10 



MATTHEW 



all liis glory was not arrayed as one of these. 
30 And, if God doth so clothe the grass 
of the field, that to-day is, and to-morrow 
is cast into the oven, will He not much 
more cloths you, O ye of little faith? 31 
Be not, therefore, anxious, saying, 'What 
shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' 
or 'What shall we put on?' 32 For after 



all these things the nations are seeking; 
for your Heavenly Father knoweth that ye 
have need of all these things. 33 But seek 
ye first His Kingdom and His righteous- 
ness; and all these things shall be added to 
you. 34 Be not, therefore, anxious for the 
morrow; for the morrow will be anxious 
for itself. Sufficient for the day is its evil. 



30 CoAtininihomcn; burned for fuel. Uf liWU faith; lit- 
tle faith in God. Surely if God clothes the grass with 
heauty. He will clothe His own children. 

32 The nations are seeking; the heathen are concerned 
about what they shall eat, drink, and wear; but God's 

•children should have no anxiety about any of these things. 

33 Seek ye first His Kingdom; the first and wisest 
thing to do is, to get into the Kingdom of God by faith in 



His Son, and be clothed with His righteousness. All these 
things shall be added; the man who fully accepts Jesus 
Christ, and lives alone for His glory, will have all needed 
temporal good added. 

3i Be not anxious fur the mur row; do not borrow trouble 
from the future. Each day has its own duties and responsi- 
bilities, and these are quite enough without borrowing any 
from the future. 



CHAPTER VII. 

1 "Judge not, that ye be not judged; 2 
for with what judgment ye judge, ye shall 
be judged; and with what measure ye mete, 
it shall be measured to you. 

3 ' 'And why do you behold the mote that 
is in your brother's eye, but consider not 
the beam in your own eye ? 4 Or how will 
you say to your brother, 'Permit me to 
cast out the mote out of your eye ; ' and, 
behold, the beam «s in your own eye? 5 
Hypocrite ! Cast out first the beam out of 
your own eye; and then you will see clearly 
to cast, out the mote out of your brother's 
eye. 

6 "Give not that which is holy to the 
dogs; neither cast your pearls before the 
swine, lest haply they trample them down 
with their feet; and, turning, rend you. 

7 "Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, 



and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be 
opened to you; 8 for every one who asks 
receives, and he who seeks finds, and to 
him who knocks it shall be opened. 9 Or 
what man is there of you, who, if his son 
shall ask for bread, will give him a stone ? 
10 Or if he shall ask for a fish, will give 
him a serpent? 11 If , therefore, ye, being 
evil, know how to give good gifts to your 
children, how much more will your Father 
Who is in Heaven give good things to those 
asking Him? 

12 "All things, therefore, whatsoever ye 
wish that men should do to you, so do ye 
also to them; for this is the law and the 
prophets. 

13 "Enter ye in through the narrow 
gate; because wide is the gate, and broad 
is the way that leads to destruction, and 
many are those who enter through it; 14 



NOTES ON CHAPTER VII. 

1 Judge not; rashly, unjustly, or severely, the doings or 
-the character of others. 

2 With what judgment; we may expect to be judged by 
^;he same principle or rule, as that by which we judge or 
deal with others, 

3-5 The mote . . . the Iteam; the man with dim vision, 
blunted conscience, or dwarfed spiritual powers, finds 
fault with others, all unconscious to himself of his own 
radical defects. If we would truly help others, we should 
first get right ourselves. 

6 Give not that which is holy to the dogs; as the flesh of- 
fered in sacrifice was not to be given to dogs, so Christians 
must not give their sacred things to quarrelsome, curish 
men. Neither cast your pearls before the swine; as swine 
would not appreciate pearls, but would rudely- trample 
them under their feet ; so many men have no relish for 
spiritual things, but are ready to trample all your teach- 
ings under their feet; and would rejoice, besides, to dam- 
age you anyway in their power. God's people need the 
Spirit's guidance, lest they should rather injure, than 
ielp. the cause of Christ. 

7 Ask . . . seek . . . knock; we should ask tor the things 



we need; seek for the things we desire to find; and knock 
for admission into the presence of our God. These are so 
many ways of having our utmost needs supplied. 

8 Every one who asks ; asks truly, with an unquestion- 
ing faith, all the antecedent conditions of obedience being 
complied with; and so, also, in regard to the seeking and 
knocking. 

11 Give good gifts to your children; all parents, even 
those who are evil, delight to bestow good gilts upon their 
children. How much more; our Heavenly Father is im- 
measurably more concerned to bestow good things— even 
the Holy Spirit (Luke 11:13), and all that is promised in 
the Gospel — upon those who truly ask Him. What an in- 
finite mine of riches is here presented ! 

12 T?mt men should do to you; the rule that is to govern 
our conduct towards others may be learned by what we 
wish them to do to us; not by what they do, but what we 
wish them to do. 

13 Enter ye in through the narrow gate; this points to 
the difficulty of entering upon a truly religious life. Wide 
is the gate; hence easy to be entered; one having but to 
follow his own evil heart, and to walk In the ways of 
Satan, 



MATTHEW 



11 



because narrow is the gate, and straitened 
the way that leads to life, and few there 
are who find it ! 

15 ''Beware of false prophets, who, in- 
deed, come to you in sheep's clothing, but 
within are ravening wolves. 16 From 
their fruits ye shall recognize them. Do 
men gather grapes from thorns, or figs 
from thistles? 17 So every good tree 
bears good fruit, but the worthless tree 
bears evil fruit. 18 A good tree cannot 
bear evil frviit, nor can a worthless tree 
bear good fruit. 19 Every tree that does 
not bear good fruit is cut down, and cast 
into the fire. 20 So then, from their fruits 
ye shall know them. 

21 "Not every one who says to Me, 
'Lord, Lord,' shall enter into the King- 
dom of Heaven, but he that does the will 
of My Father in Heaven. 22 Many will 
say to Me in that day, ' Lord, Lord, did 
we not prophesy by Thy name? and by 
Thy name cast out demons ? And by Thy 



name do many mighty works ? ' * 23 And 
tJion will I confess to them, I never knew 
you; depart from Me, ye who work iniquity. 

24 "Every one, therefore, who hears 
these words of Mine, and does them, shall 
be likened to a prudent man, who, indeed, 
built his house upon the rock; 25 arnd the 
rain descended, and the streams came, and 
the winds blew, and beat upon that house; 
and it fell not, for it had been founded on 
the rock. 

26 ' 'And every one who hears these words 
of ISIine, and does them not, shall be likened 
to a foolish man, who, indeed, built his 
house upon the sand: 27 and the rain 
descended, and the streams came, and the 
winds blew and beat upon that house; and 
it fell; and great was its fall." 

28 And it came to pass that, when Jesus 
ended these words, the multitudes were as- 
tonished at His teaching; 29 for He was 
teaching them as One having authority, 
and not as the scribes. 



Or. confined ; or, difficult. 



3 Gr. Powers. 



14 And few, few, comparatively, get into the way of 
life. Many things tend to discourage the multitudes, and 
prevent their seeking salvation. 

15 Beware of false prophets ; be careful to avoid false 
teachers. Sheep's clothing: appearing as true teachers. 
Ravening wolves ; greedy of gain, ready to plunder, con- 
cerned "for the fleece rather than the flock." These are 

■Satan's servants. 

16-20 From their fruits ; from the nature and eftect of 
their teachings you may see who they are. 

21 Not every one; men are to he judged of, not by their 
-words or professions, but by their obedience to the require- 
ments of God's word, and by the spirit they display. 
(Rom. 8:9). 

22 Mighty works ; false teachers do many mighty works. 
through the power of Satan, and deceive many thereby; 
but all such false teachers will be exposed at the last; for 
they cannot deceive God, 



23 IneuerTcnewi/ou; as my disciples. 

24-27 Built his home upon the rock; Christ Jesus is the 
Rock upon Whom every wise person builds his house, or 
character. And those who truly build thereupon can 
never be confounded. While those who build on any other 
foundation will see their hopes wrecked, and themselves 
ruined eternally. 

28 Ended these words; finished His Sermon on the 
Mount. The people were astonished; as well they might 
be; for this was the most powerful exposition of truth. 
they had ever heard ; not by a mere man. but by the God- 

29 As One Jiaving authority ; and surely He did have it; 
for He spoke, not as the scribes, but as one who got His 
messages fresh from the Godhead. 

The Sermon on the Mount has been the admiration of 
the learned and pious in all ages of Christianity; and even 
some infidels have spoken in its praise. 



CHAPTER Vni. 

A LEPER CLEANSED. 

1 And, when He came down from the 
mountain, great multitudes followed Him. 

2 And, behold, a leper, coming near, was 
worshiping Him, saying, "Lord, if Thou 
art willing. Thou art able to cleanse me." 

3 And, stretching forth His hand. He 
touched him, saying, "I am willing. Be 



cleansed." And immediately his leprosy 
was cleansed. 

4 And Jesus saith to him, "See that 
you tell no one; but go, and show yourself 
to the priest, and offer the gift which 
Moses commanded, for a testimony to 
them. 

A centurion's servant healed. 

5 And, Jesus having entered into Ca- 
pernaum, there came to Him a centurion, 



NOTES ON chapter VHI. 
2 A leper; leprosy is one of the foulest and most incura- 
ble diseases. Art willing, . . . able; Thou hast the power 
to heal, if only Thou art willing. Such is the belief of 
the great mass of Christians. They think that, if Jesus 
were willing, they could be healed. I am willing; the fault 
3S not the unwillingness of Jesus, but in the unbelief of 
■Christians. 



3 Touched Him; a touch from Jesus will cancel the 
worst disease. 

4 Tell no one ; possibly this and similar prohibitions were 
meant to check the popularity of Jesus, lest it might pre- 
vent His death on the cross. T?(e3i/t; Lev. 14:2-32. For a 
testimony ; that the cure was real, and that the party might 
safely be admitted into society. 

5 Centurion; a Roman officer commanding a hundred 
soldiers. 



12 



MATTHEW 



beseeching Him, 6 and saying, "Lord, my 
boy ' has been prostrated in ///// house, a 
paralytic, fearfully afflicted."' 7 And He 
saith to liim, "Having gone, I will heal 
him." 8 And the centurion, answering, 
said, "Lord, I am not worthy tliat Thou 
shouldest enter under my roof, but only 
speak in a word, ^ and my boy' shall be 
healed; 9 for I also am a man imder au- 
thority, having iinder myself soldiers; and 
I say to this one, 'Go,' andhe goes; and 
to another, 'Come,' and he comes; and to 
my servant, 'Do this,' and he does «Y." 

10 And Jesus, hearing it, wondered, 
and said to those following Ilim, "Verily 
I say to you, with no one in Israel did I 
find such faith. 11 And I say to you that 
many will come from the east and the 
west, and will sit down with Abraham, 
and Isaac, and Jacob, in the Kingdom of 
Heaven; 12 but the sons of the Kingdom 
shall be cast out into the outer darkness; 
thei'e will be the weeping, and the gnash- 
ing of teeth." 

13 And Jesus said to the centurion, " Go 
your way; as you believed, be it done to 
you." And tlie boy was healed in that 
hour. 

Peter's mother-in-law and jvianv oth- 
ers HEALED. 

14 And .Tesus, coming into the house of 
Peter, saw his mother-in-law prostrate, 



and sick with fever; 15 and He touched 
her hand, and the fever left her, and she 
arose, and was ministering to Him. 16 
And, when it was evening, they brought 
to Him many demoniacs; and He cast out 
the spirits with a word, and healed all who 
were sick, 17 that it might be fulfilled 
which was spoken by Isaiah the prophet, 
saying, " Himself took our infirmities, and 
bore our sicknesses." 

a scribe and a DISCIPLE TESTED. 

18 And Jesus, seeing a multitude about 
Him, gave orders to depart to the other 
side. 19 And a^ scribe, coming near, said 
to Him, " Teacher, I will follow Thee where- 
soever Thou mayst go." 20 And Jesus 
saith to him, "The foxes have dens; and 
the birds of the heaven have lodging-places; 
but the Son of Man hath not where to lay 
His head." 21 And another of the disciples 
said to Him, " Lord, permit me first to go 
and bury my father." 22 But Jesus saith 
to him, "Follow Me, and leave the dead 
to bury their own dead." 

A TEMPEST CALMED, 

23 And His disciples followed Him, as 
He entered into a boat. 24 And, behold, 
there arose a great tempest in the sea, so 
that the boat was being covered by the 
waves; but He was sleeping. 25 And, 
coming to Him, they awoke Him, saying. 



Ot. young man. 2 Or. "say the word. 



3 Gr. (Mc. 



6 My hoy ; possibly a servant boy. 

8 I am not worthy; a sense ot unworthiness is sure to 
accompany great faith. 

9 VncUr authority; under authority to his superiors. 
and hence familiar -with prompt obedience. JJaving un^'la- 
mynelf soldiers : knowing how to render prompt obedience. 
As much as to say. " Master you need not trouble yourself 
to go to the place -where my sick boy is, but simply order 
his healing, and it will be done." 

10 Such. faith: this gentile soldier displayed greater 
faith in the power of Jesus than any Israelite He had mot. 

11 Mdinj u'iU come: many from the gentiles— a prophecy 
that many gentiles would accept the Gospel. 

12 Suns of the Kingdom; the Jews, who were the people 
of God, rejected Jesus, and were cast out, or rejected. And 
there; in the outer darkness. This may refer to the con- 
dition of the Jews in their dreadful state of rejection dur- 
ing the centuries that have followed their rejection of Jesus 
Christ, or it may refer to the lost in Hell. 

13 As you believed; in My ability to heal your boy. Be 
it done to you ; your boy shall be healed. 

15 The fever left her; and so it is now: those who receive 
the Saviour's touch through faith are healed of whatever 
diseases they have. 

16 He cast out the spirits; the demons that were in the 
demoniacs. Demons have much to do with many diseases, 
(see Luke 13:16; Acts 10:38). 



17 Toofc our iji/irmiito; upon Himself. Bore our siclt- 
ncsses; that is, Jesus took our infirmities, or weaknesses, 
upon Himself, and bore them away with our sicknesses or 
diseases; and all this, to relieve His people of them. See 
Isa. 53:4, "Surely He hath borne our sicknesses, and car- 
ried our pains." These Scriptures make it certain that 
Christ made provision in His atonement for the bodies ot 
His followers. Healing for the body is manifestly a Gos- 
pol provision; and its Author alone can revoke It. Of 
course, unbelief will deprive any individual of this Gospel 
provision. 

18. The other side ; of the sea ot Galilee, 

19 I will follow Thee; will become Thy disciple. 

20 The foxes have dens; or holes in the earth or rocks, 
which serve them as a sort of home. The birds . . . have 
lodging-plaees; places of resort. The Son of Man; Jesus 
Christ. Hath not where; not so much as a place to lay His 
head! Thus the Maker of all worlds. (John 1:3; Col, 1:16, 17). 
became poorer than even the foxes and birds! and this, too, 
that we might become rich, (II Cor. 8:9). Jesus would 
teach this scribe, and all others as well, that His true fol- 
lowers had no right to expect riches in this present life, 

22 ieaueihe dead; those dead spiritually. Bury their own 
dead; their own dead kindred, Jesus would teach him 
that true discipleship is ot more importance than all hu- 
man relations— a lesson which that person, no doubt, es- 
pecially needed, (seech, 19:21), 



MATTIIEYr 



13 



^' Lord, save; we are perishing ! " 26 And 
Ho saith to them, " Why are ye fearful, O 
ye of little faith? " Then, having arisen, 
He rebuked the winds and the soa; and 
there was a great calm. 27 And the men 
wondered, saying, " What manner of Man 
is this, that even the winds and the sea 
obey Him ! " 

TWO DEMONIACS EEMEVED. 

28 And, when He came to the other side, 
into the country of the Gadarenes, there 
met Him two demoniacs, coming out of 
the tombs, exceedingly fierce, so that no 
one could pass along that way;^ 29 and, 
behold, they cried out, saying, " What l^ 
there to us and to Thee, O Son of God? 
Didst Thou come here to torment us be- 



fore the time?" 30 Now there was afar 
off from them a herd of many swine feed- 
ing. 31 And the demons were entreating 
Him, saying, " If Thou cast us out, send us 
away into the herd of swine." 32 And 
He said to them, "Go." And, having 
come out, they went away into the swine; 
and, betiold, the whole herd rushed down 
the steep into the sea, and died in the waters! 
33 And those feeding them fled; and, go- 
ing away into the city, they reported all 
things, and the things relating to the de- 
moniacs. 34: And, behold, all the city 
came forth to meet^ Jesus; and, seeing 
Him, they besought Iliin, that He would 
depart from their borders. 



3 Gr. Fur a meeting with Jesus. 



26 1/6 of little faith ; having little faith in My power to 
protect and keep My own. Rebuked the winds ; oommandcd 
them to cease blowing. 

28 To the other side; the east side. Gadarenes: some 
MSS. read Gergesenes. Gergesa and Gadara were cities in 
the same region oJ country, (see Mark 5:1). Out of the 
tombs; the Jews often made excavations in hills and 
rocks, where they huried their dead. Such places would 
afford shelter to those having nothing better. 

29 Whatisthei-eto us andto Thee; what is there in com- 
mon between us ? Before thetime; appointed to judge and 
punish evil spirits. Evidently demons are aware that 
there is a time of trouble coming, (see Rev. 12:12). 



Go; Jesus has control of demons, and the right to 
order them at His will. They went away into the swine; 
evil spirits have great fondness for living in human be- 
ings (see ch:~8:16); but prefer living even in swine to living 
outside. Rushed down the steep; the demons frightened 
and infuriated the swine, causing them to jump wildly 
down the cliff into the sea, where the swine perished in 
the waters. 

34 Besought Him, that He would depart from their bord- 
ers; fearing perhaps, other possible damage. They pre- 
ferred their temporal to their eternal interests; thinking 
more of their swine than of Jesus Christ. 



CHAPTER IX. 

A rAEALYTIC FORGIVEN AND HEALED. 

1 And, entering into a boat, He crossed 
over, and came into His own city. 

2 And, behold, they were bringing to 
Him a paralytic laid upon a couch. And 
Jesus, seeing their faith, said to the para- 
lytic, "Child, be of good courage; your 
sins are forgiven." 

3 And, behold, some of the scribes said 
among themselves, "This Man is blas- 
pheming! " 

4 And Jesus, knowing their thoughts, 
said, "Why think ye evil in your hearts? 
5 For which is easier, to say, 'Your sins 
are forgiven,' or to say, 'Arise, and walk 

6 " But, that ye may know that the Son 



of Man hath authority on the earth to for- 
give sins" (then saith He to the paralytic), 
"Arise, and take up your bed, and go to 
your house." 7 And, having arisen, he 
went to his house; 8 and, seeing it, the 
multitudes feared, and glorified God, Who 
gave such authority to men. 

MATTHEW CALLED. 

9 And Jesus, passing on thence, saw a 
man, called Matthew, sitting at the tax- 
ofiice, and He saith to him, " Follow Me." 
And, rising up, he followed Him. 

10 And it came to pass, as He was re- 
clining at taUe in the house, behold, many 
tax-collectors and sinners, having come, 
were reclining with Jesus and His disciples. 



NOTES ON CHAPTER ?:X. 

1 Into His own city ; Capernaum, (ch. 4:13). 

2 Seeing their faith; the faith of others often accomplishes 
much for their friends. " Tour sins are forgiven; " disease 
is often a fruit of sin. Jesus had power to forgive sins ; and 
the pardon of the man's sins was the hope of healing to 
him. 

3 This Man is blaspheming; by usurping, as they sup- 
posed, the prerogative of God. 

4 Knowing their thoughts ; Jesus, as a consequence of His 
omniscience, knew their thoughts. Think ye evil; as it I 
-were a blasphemer. 



5 Easier; both alternatives — the forgiving of sins, and 
the healing of diseases— are of God. 

6 That ye may know; by the biealing of the paralytic. 
Being God (I John 1:1; Isa. 9:6), He was able to forgive 
sins and to heal the sick. 

8 Such authority; the authority to heal the sick, and, in 
the present case, to forgive sins also. 

9 Matthew; the writer of this Gospel. Sitting at the 
tax-office; receiving the taxes that were being paid. 

10 And sinnei's; wicked persons. This does not imply 
that the tax-collectors were not sinners, but they were, per- 
haps, not as outbroken in sin a'j the others. 



14 



MATTHEW 



11 And the Pharisees, seeing it, said to 
His disciples, " Why is your Teacher eat 
ing with the tax-collectors and sinners ? ' 
12 And Jesus, hearing it, said, "Those 
who are well have no need of a physician, 
but those who are ill. 13 But, going, 
learn what this means: 'I desire mercy, 
and not sacrifice;' for I did not come to 
call the righteous, but sinners." 

WHEX TO FAST. 

14 Then came to Him the disciples of 
John, saying, " Why do we and the Phari- 
sees fast often, but Thy disciples fast 
not ? " 15 Jesus said to them, " Can the sons 
of the l^ridechamber mourn while the 
Bridegroom is with them? But there will 
come days, when the Bridegroom will be 
taken away from them, and then will they 
fast. 

16 " And no one puts a piece of unshrunk 
cloth on an old garment; for the patch 
tears away from the garment, and a worse 
rent is made. 

17 " Neither do they put new wine into 
old wine -skins ;^ otherwise, indeed, the 
skins burst, and the wine runs out, and the 
skins are destroyed; but they put new wine 
into fresh wine-skins, and both are pre- 
served together." 

THE DAUGHTER OF JAIRUS RAISED. 

18 While He is speaking these things to 
them, behold, a ruler, having come to Jlim, 
was worshiping Him, saying, "My 



daughter just now died; but, coming, lay 
Thy hand upon her, and she shall live." 

19 And Jesus, having risen, was fol- 
lowing him, also His disciples. 

THE WOMAN WT[TH FLOW OF BLOOD CURED. 

20 And, behold, a woman, having a 
flow of blood twelve years, having come 
up behind Rim, touched the border of 
His garment; 21 for she was saying within 
herself, " If I only touch His garment, I 
shall be made well." 22 And Jesus, 
turning and seeing her, said, " Be of good 
courage, daughter, your faith has made 
you well."^ And the woman was made 
well'^ from that hour. 

23 And Jesus, having come into the 
house of the ruler, and seeing the flute- 
players and the multitude making a tu- 
mult, 24 said, "Withdraw; for the dam- 
sel did not die, but is sleeping." And they 
were laughing at Him. 25 But, when the 
multitude was put forth, having gone in. 
He took hold of her hand, and the damsel 
arose. 26 And the report of this went 
forth into all that land. 

TWO BLIND MEN RESTORED TO SIGHT. 

27 And, as Jesus was passing on thence, 
two blind men followed Him, crying out, 
and saying, " Have mercy on us, O Son of 
David ! " 28 And the blind men came to 
Him, when He entered into the house; 
and He saith to them, " Believe ye that I 
am able to do this ? " They say to Him, 



Or, Bottles made of skins. 



2 Gr. Saved. 



12 Those who are ill; it was the custom, at that time, for 
the sick to call in a physician, though the materia medica 
has no place in the Gospel of Christ, nor in the Mosaic 
economy. The Saviour "was alluding to the self-righteous 
Pharisees, who, if they were what they professed to be, 
would need nothing from Him; but, if there were others, 
who were conscious of sin and evil in their hearts. He 
might do them good. 

13 " I desire mercy, and not sacrifice :" Hosea 6:6; mean- 
ing that God prizes a merciful disposition, manifested by 
deeds of kindness and mercy, far more than the most exact 
performance of outward rites and ceremonies. 

15 The Suns of the liridechamher ; the attendants of the 
bridegroom during the marriage feast, (Judges 14:10. 11). 
The application is that, while Christ is present the bride, 
or the attendants, are not expected to mourn; but, when 
He should depart, mourning and fasting might be proper. 

16 Unshrunh cloth ; cloth newly woven has to be shrunk 
before it is fit to be used in patching an old garment. The 
patch tears away ; by shrinkage. 

] 7 New wine ; unf ermented wine. Into old wine-skins : old 
bottles made of skins. Tlie skins hurst; in consequence of 
the fermentation of the new wine. New wine into fresh 
wine-sMns; unfermented wine should be put up in fresh 
skins, that will stretch, and not burst. The teaching is 



that Christianity is not to be grafted on to Judaism, ritual- 
ism, or formalism, of any type. Both the unshrunk cloth 
and the wine, etc., teach that Pharisaism is not the soil in 
which Christianity can thrive, 

A ruler; an elder, or keeper of the synagogue. 
" Jtist now died;" only a moment ago, Butshe was dead, 
as the Greek plainly declares. And she shall live; the 
ruler had great faith in Jesus, believing that, if He would, 
lay His hand on her, she would live. 

Slie was saying within herself; the thought kept re- 
volving, as it were, in her mind. If 1 only touch His gar- 
ment; a single touch of faith will bring healing now as 
then. 

22 Your faith has made you well; her faith brought her 
into touch with Christ, and He did the healing. 

23 Making a tumult; with their music and wailing. 

24 Withdraw ; retire ; your services are not needed. The 
damsel did not die ; to remain so permanently. Her death 
resembles a nap of sleep from which she will presently 
awake. 

25 Having gone in; Mark says that five persons were 
with Jesus (5:37, 40). These were competent witnesses 
of the miracle. 

27 Son of David; an expression among the Jews that 
was equal to the Messiah, as a Descendant from David. 



^lATTHEW 



15 



"Yes, Lord." 29 Thon He touched their 
eyes, saying, " According to your faith be 
it done to you." 30 And their eyes were 
opened. And Jesus strictly charged them, 
saying, "See that no one know it.'" 31 
But they, having gone forth, spread abroad 
His f anae in all that land, 

DEMONIAC BELIEVED, AND OTHERS HEALED. 

32 And, as they were going forth, be- 
hold, they have brought to Him a dumb 
man, a demoniac; 33 and, the demon hav- 
ing been cast out, the dumb spake.^ And 
the multitudes wondered, saying, "ISTever 
was it so seen in Israel!" 3-1 But the 



Pharisees said, "Bj^^the ruler of the de- 
mons He is casting out the demons." 

35 And Jesus was going about all the 
cities arid the villages, teaching in their 
synagogues, and preaching the Gospel of 
the Kingdom, and healing every disease 
and every infirmity. 36 And, seeing the 
multitudes. He was moved with compas- 
sion for them, because they were harassed 
and scattered, as sheep having no shep- 
herd. 37 Then He saith to His disciples, 
' The harvest, indeed, is abundant, but the 
laborers few, 38 pray ye, therefore, the 
Lord of the harvest, that He send forth 
laborers into His harvest. 



33 The demon liaving been cast out, the dumb spake ; evi- 
dently the demon destroyed Ws speech; hut. when it was 
cast out. he could speak, (Isa. 35:5, 6). Demons have great 
power to damage human beings, and to destroy not only 
their speech, but their reason. The lunatic asylums are 
filled with demon-possessed men and women, who. for the 
most part, are deprived of reason through this dreadful 
agency. 

34 By the ruler of the demons ; the Devil, or Satan, who 
is "the prince of the powers of the air." (Eph. 2:2). One 
Diabolos, or Devil, but countless billions, perhaps, of de 
mons subordinate to him. These Pharisees, led on. nc 
doubt, bv the Devil, were trying to keep the Jews from 
accepting Jesus as the Messiah, by getting them to be- 
lieve that Christ was in partnership with Satan, in the very 
matter of casting demons out of the people 1 

35 Healing every disease; every disease with which He 
came in contact, or every sort of ailment. 



3 Gr. In. 



As sheep having no sheplierd; the multitudes wore 
scattered and confused, reminding Matthew of a flock of 
sheep without a shepherd. The religious teachers of the 
Jews were not competent shepherds; and, therefore, the 
restless, confused condition of the people. 

37 The harvest, indeed, is- abundant; many hundreds of 
millions need the Gospel. 

Send fo7ih laborers into Bis harvest; it is the pre- 
rogative of God to call, equip, and send forth laborers inta 
His harvest; and it is the privilege of all Christians to 
join in this prayer to the Lord of the harvest. It is a fear- 
ful thing for any one to attempt to enter this great har- 
vest field as a laborer, unless he is endued with power for 
the work (Luke 24:49; Acts 1:8), and has Christ revealed 
in him (Gal. 1:16) as the supreme qualification for preach- 



CHAPTER X. 

THE TWELVE APOSTLES SENT FOBTH. 

1 And, having called His twelve dis- 
ciples. He gave them. authority over un- 
clean spirits, so as to cast them out, and to 
heal every disease and every infirmity. 

2 Now the names of the twelve apostles 
are these: first, Simon, who is called Peter, 
and Andrew his brother; James the son, of 
Zebedee, and John his brother; 3 Philip, 

NOTES ON CHAPTER X. 

1 Authority over unclean spirits; showing that all un- 
clean spirits were under His control. To cast them out. and 
to heal; the casting out of demons was one thing, and 
the healing of the sick another; but as demons have an 
agency in fastening diseases upon people, they should be 
cast out as a preparation for healing — especially where 
they have brought the disease to the parts. Full equip- 
ment for service comes from Christ. 

2 Apostles ; persons sent. The apostles were the high- 
est officials connected with the early propagation of Chris- 
tianity. Simon ; called Cephas, which is the Syro-Chaldaic 
for the Greek Petros— Peter. James; who was slain by 
Herod, (Acts 12:2). 

3 Matthew; the tax-collector, acting in the interests of 
the Roman government, hence very much hated by the 



and Bartholomew; Thomas, and Matthew 
the tax-collector; James the son of Al- 
phaeus, and Thaddseus; 4 Simon the 
Cananaean, and Judas Iscariot, who also 
betrayed Him. 5 These twelve Jesus 
sent forth, having charged them, saying, 
"Go not into cmi/ way of the gentiles, and 
enter not into a city of the Samaritans; 
6 but go ye rather to the lost sheep of the 
house of Israel. 7 And, while going, 
preach, saying, 'The Kingdom of Heaven 

Jews. James, the son of Alphceus ; the writer of the epistle 
bearing his name. 

5 Gentiles ; or nations other than the Jews. Samaritans ; 
a mixture of Jews and pagans. These people occupied the 
country formerly belonging to Ephraim and the half tribe 
of Manasseh, after the King of Assyria had taken them 
captive. 

6 Lost sheep of the house of Israel; the tribe of Judah. 
and Benjamin comprised the bulk of the Israelites who re- 
turned from the Babylonian captivity; yet there were in- 
dividuals of the other tribes intermixed with these; and 
these were the only representatives of the house of Israel 
in Palestine; and to these the Gospel was to be preached 
first. 

7 The Kingdom of Heamen; the reign of Christ in the 
hearts of men. This to the world will be an invisible 
Kingdom, till Christ returns to rule over the earth, (Zeoh. 
14:9; Rev. 20:4). 



16 



MATTHEW 



has come nigh.' 8 Heal the sick; raise the 
dead; cleanse the lepers; cast out demons; 
freely ye received, freely give. 9 Procure 
neither gold, nor silver, nor brass, for your 
girdles;^ 10 nor wallet for your journey, 
nor two coats, nor sandals, nor a staff; for 
the laborer in worthy of his food. 

11 "And into whatsoever city or village 
ye enter, inquire who in it is worthy, and 
there abide till ye go forth. 12 And, an 
ye are coming into the house, salute it: 13 
and, if, indeed, the house is worthy, let 
your peace come upon it; but, if it be not 
worthy, let your peace return to you. 14 
And, whosoever does not receive you, nor 
hear your words, as ye are going forth out 
of that house or city, shake off the dust of 
your feet. 15 Verily I say to you, it will 
be more tolerable for the land of Sodom 
and Gomorrah in the day of judgment, than 
for that city. 

16 ''Behold, I send you forth as sheep 
in the midst of wolves; become ye, there- 
fore, as wise as the serpents. and as inno- 
cent as doves. 17 But beware of men; f or 
they will deliver you up to high-councils,^ 
and in their synagogues they will scourge 
you; 18 and before the governors and the 
kings shall ye be brought for My sake, for 
a testimony to them and to the gentiles. 
19 And, when they deliver you up, be not 
anxious how or what ye shall speak; for it 



shall be given you in that hour what to 
speak; 20 for it is not ye that speak, but 
the Spirit of your Father Who speaketh 
in you. 

21 ' ' And brother will deliver up brother 
to death; and father, his child; and chil- 
dren will rise up against parents, and cause 
them to be put to death. 22 And ye will 
be hated by all, for My name's sake; but 
he Avho endures to the end, the same shall 
be saved. 

23 "And, when they persecute you in 
this city, flee into the next; ^ for verily I 
say to you, ye will in no wise finish* the 
cities of Israel, till the Son of Man come. 

24 "A disciple is not above the teacher, 
nor a servant above his lord. 25 It is 
enough for the disciple, that he become as 
his teacher, and the servant as his lord. If 
they called the Master of the house Beelze- 
bub, how much more those of his house- 
hold? 26 Fear them not, therefore; for 
nothing has been covered, that shall not be 
revealed; and hid, that shall not be known. 

27 What I am saying to you in the dark- 
ness, speak ye in the light; and what ye 
hear in the ear, preach on the housetops. 

28 And be not afraid of those who kill the 
body, but are not able to kill the soul; but 
rather fear Him Who is able to destroy 
both soul and body in Hell.^ 29 Are not 
two sparrows sold for a farthing? And 



Or, vwxa. 2 Sanhedr 



Gr. The other, i Finish vir.itina. 5 Gr. Gehenna. 



8 Freely ye received, freely give; as ye received this 
■wonderful power without cost to yourselves, so dispense it 
without cost to others. 

9 Neither gold ; do not take time to procure these things. 
Your work is too urgent to wait for any elaborate prepa- 
ration. Trust in Christ to supply your needs. 

10 Wallet; or hag, to hold provisions. Nor a staff; if 
they had a staff or sandals they might take them, (see 
Mark 6:8. 9). They were to go without delay. Worthy of 
his food; this is true in all ages of this dispensation. 

n Worthy; a person ol piety, who would likely receive 
the message. There abide till ye go forth ; they were not 
to be changing places all the time, both on account of 
their own convenience and that of those who might be in- 
terested in their messages. 

13 If, indeed, the house is worthy ; if the members of the 
household receive your message. Let your peace ; let your 
blessing rest upon it. Not worthy; if they refuse your 
message. Then blessings will rest upon you, but not upon 
them. 

14 Shake off the dust of your feet ; an emphatic method 
of expressing abhorrence of their sins, (see Acts 13; 51). 

15 More tolerable; the doom of Sodom would be less 
dreadful, because Sodom had less light. The more light 
one has, the more responsible he is. 

16 As sheep; unprotected by visible power. Wolves; 
this expression points to wicked, cruel men, who would 



delight to harm them. Become . . . wise as the sa-pents; 
some serpents are very shrewd in avoiding a dangerous foe. 
Innocent as doves; Joves are a symbol of innocence. 

17 High-councils; the Sanhedrin. or high-court of the 
Jews. 

18 A testimony; a testimony of the truth of the Gospel, 
which would turn against them, in case they reject it. 

19 Be not anxiovAi ; God will supply you with just the 
defense He wishes you to make. 

21 To death; the unbelieving members of the family 
will rise up against the believing portion, and cause them 
to-be put to death. 

23 Endures to the end; continues faithful to Christ to 
the close of life. 

23 Till the Son of Man come; to deliver His people. 
Meaning, as is supposed, that He would come to them be- 
fore they should get through with carrying the Gospel to 
the cities of Israel; hardly referring directly to the de- 
struction of Jerusalem or to His coming for His bride 
(ch. 25; 1-13), or His coming to close up this dispensation, 
(Zech. 14;4, 5. 9; Rev. 19:11-21). 

24 Above the Teacher; Ye need not expect to fare better 
than I do. 

27 What 1 am saying to you in the darkness ; privately. 
On the housetops ; openly. 

28 Fear Him; God. Destroy . . .in Hell; by consigning 
them to the fires of He.M, 



^lATTIIEW 



17 



not one of them sluill fall on the ground 
without your Father. 30 But the very 
hairs of your head have all been numbered. 
31 Fear not, therefore; ye are of more 
value than many sparrows. 

32 ' ' Every one, therefore, who shall con- 
fess Me" before men, him will I also con- 
fess before My Father Who is in Heaven. 
33 But whosoever denies Me before men, 
him will I also deny before My Father Who 
is in Heaven. 

34 ' ' Think not that I came to send peace 
on the earth; I came not to send peace, but 



37 ' ' He that loves father or mother more 
than Me, is not worthy of Me; and he that 
loves son or daughter more than Me, is not 
worthy of Me. 38 And whosoever does 
not take up his cross, and follow Me, is not 
worthy of Me. 

39 "He that finds his life^ shall lose it; 
and he that loses his life for My sake shall 
find it. 

40 " He that receives you receives Me; 
and he that receives Me receives Him Who 
sent Me. 41 He that receives a prophet 
in the name of a prophet shall receive a 
prophet's reward; and he that receives a 



a sword; 35 for I came to set a man at righteous man in the name of a righteous 
variance with his father, and a daughter man shall receive a righteous man's reward. 



against her mother, and a daughter-in-law 
against her mother-in-law; 36 and the 
man's foes will he those of his own hoxise 
hold. 



42 And whosoever shall give to drink a 
cup of cold water to one of these little ones 
in the name of a disciple, verily I say to 
you, he shall in no wise lose his reward." 



6 Gr. In Me. 



7 Gr. Soul. 



29 JVithout your Father; if the Father is concerned 
about the sparrows, will He not take care of you ? 

32 Confess Me ; as the Messiah, or as his Saviour, and 
continue to follow Me. Him will I also confess ; I will own 
him as Mine. 

33 Dciii'cs Jfe; disavows Me as his Saviour. Him will! 
cUso deny', deny to he My disciple, and treat him as My 
enemy. 

34-36 But a sword; the effect of the Gospel is to array 
members of the same family ag-ainst one another. 

37, 38 Father or mother ; no one is worthy of Christ, un- 
less he is willing to forsake all human kindred, to follow 
Him. He must be willing to sacrifice all kindred and yield 
up his own life to Christ, if he would be a true disciple. 

33 He tliat finds his life ; by denying or forsaking Christ 



will lose it in the end; and he who gives up his life or soul 
for Christ's sake, he will in this way save it. 

■to Receives you . . . Me; Christ and His true followers 
are so united, that what is done to them He considers as 
' done to Himself ; and He and the Father are so united; that 
what is done to One is done to the Other. 

41 Receives a propliet; because of love for Jesus Christ 
and for His servants. A propheVs rewai-d; he shall share 
in the spiritual blessings that are bestowed upon a prophet. 

42 To one of these little ones ; to even the feeblest of His 
disciples. Inthe name of; because of his attachment to 
Christ and to His disciples. For even the smallest kind- 
nesses bestowed upon God's children, He will see to it that 
a suitable reward will be given. 



CHAPTER XI. 

1 And it came to pass that, when Jesus 
Bnished commanding His twelve disciples. 
He departed thence to teach and preach in 
their cities. 

JOHN IX PRISON SENDS A QUESTION TO 
JESUS. 

2 And John, having heard, in the prison, 
of the works of the Christ, sending by his 
disciples, 3 said to Him, " Art Thou the 
Coming One, or are we to look for an- 
other?" 

4 And Jesus, answering, said to them, 



" Having gone, report to John what ye are 
hearing and seeing: 5 the blind receive 
sight, and the lame walk, lepers are 
cleansed, and the deaf hear, and the dead 
are raised, and the poor have the Gospel 
proclaimed to them. 6 And happy is he, 
whosoever shall find no occasion of stumb- 
Mng in Me." 

7 And, as these were going, Jesus began 
to say to the multitudes concerning John, 
"What went ye out into the wilderness to 
behold? a reed shaken by the wind? 8 
But what went ye out to see? a man in 
soft raiment? Behold, those wearing soft 



NOTES ON CHAPTER XL 

2, 3 John, . . . in the prison; Luke 3:19, 20. Art Thou 
the Coming One; the promised Messiah. Look for another; 
John was perhaps puzzled to know how the true Messiah 
could let His herald and messenger be in prison, and do 
nothingforhis release. This seeming indifference of Jesus; 
seems to have caused John to doubt whether, after all,] 
Jesus was the true Messiah. 

5 Theblind . . . Jielame; see Isa. 29:18; 35:4-C; 42:7, 



The knowledge that such things were performed by Jesus 
should have encouraged John, who, like the disciples, was 
slow to understand the real nature of Christ's Kingdom. 

6 No occasion of stumbling in Me; who does not ques- 
tion my Messiahship. 

7 A reed shaken ; a vacillating, unstable thing. 

8 A manin soft raiment; fine, costly, delicate clothing. 
Kings' houses; the place for persons who wear such rai- 
ment is in the palaces of kings, not in the wilderness. 



18 



MATTHEW 



raiment are in kings' houses. 9 But why 
did ye go out? to see a prophet? Yea, I 
say to you, and much more than a prophet. 
10 This is he of whom it has been written, 
' Behold, I send My messenger before Thy 
face, who shall prepare Thy way before 
Thee.' 

11 "Verily I say to you, there has not 
arisen, among those born of women, a 
greater than John the Immerser; yet he 
that is least ^ in the Kingdom of Heaven is 
greater than he. 12 And from the time 
of John the Immerser until now, the 
Kingdom of Heaven is taken by storm, 
and violent men seize xipon it; 13 for all 
the prophets and the law prophesied until 
John; 14 and, if ye are willing to receive 
it, he is Elijah who was about to come. 
15 He that has ears let him hear. 

16 " But to what shall I liken this gener- 
ation? It is like children sitting in the 
marketplaces, who, calling to the others, 

17 say, 'We piped to j'ou, and ye did not 
dance; we wailed, and ye did not lament.' 

18 For John came neither eating nor 
drinking, and they say, 'He has a demon.' 

19 The Son of Man came eating and drink- 
ing, and they say, 'Behold, a man glutton- 
ous and a wine-drinker, a friend of tax- 
collectors and sinners.' And wisdom was 
justified by her works." 



Gr. ic«s. 



CITIES UPBRAIDED. 

20 Then He began to upbraid the cities 
in which were done most of His mighty 
works, becaase they did not repent. 

21 "Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to 
you, Bethsaidal because, if the mighty 
works which were done in you, had been 
done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have 
repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes; 
22 nevertheless I say to you, it will be 
more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon in the 
day of judgment than for you. 

23 " And you, Capernaum, shall you be 
exalted to Heaven? You shall go down to 
Hades; because, if the mighty works which 
were done in you, had been done in 
Sodom, it would have remained until this 
day. 24 Nevertheless, I say to you, that 
it will be more tolerable for the land of 
Sodom in the day of judgment, than for 
you ! " 

ADVANTAGE ACCRUING TO BABES. 

25 At that season Jesus, answering, 
said, " I thank Thee, O Father of the heav- 
en and of the earth, because Thou didst 
hide these things from the wise and dis- 
cerning, and didst reveal them to babes. 
26 Yea, Father, because so it was well- 
pleasing before Thee ! 

27 " All things were delivered to Me by 



9 Much more tlKin a prophet; more honorable than any 
of the prophets, hecause he was the forerunner of Christ, 
and stood nearer to Him than any of them. 

10 Of whom it has heen written; Mai. 3:1; Isa. 40:3; ch. 
3:3; Mark 1:2. 

11 He that is least (or less than any other as a preacher 
of the Gospel of Christ) in the Kingdom of Seaven ; The 
least one of Christ's anointed ministers of the Gospel has 
a place more honorable than that which John had, because 
his relation to Christ is even more intimate. 

12 From the time of Jnhn; when he first began to pro- 
claim the Kingdom of Heaven as at hand (ch. 3:2), multi- 
tudes became excited about it ; and they eagerly pressed to 
John to hear him. 

13 The prophets and the law prophesied until John ; they 
prophesied of the coming Messiah and the establishment 
of the Kingdom of Heaven. John was the last of the 
prophets who foretold the coming Messiah, and he had the 
joy of pointing to Him as "the Lamb of God that taketh 
away the sin of the world," (John 1 :29). 

14 Be is Elijah ; Christ identifies John as the Elijah that 
was to come. (Mai. 4:5). 

15 Be that has ears let him liear; The Saviour was utter- 
ing important truth, which, if they would fully understand 
it. would require close attention. 

16 Children sitting in the marlietplaccn; and. as it were, 
imitating in their plays the realities of life. 

17 "^6 piped. . . ye did not dance; we furnished the 
music, but ye stubbornly refused to dance. We wailed; 



after the manner of a professional mourner. Ye did not la- 
ment; ye made no suitable response. 

18 Neither eating nor drinking ; living very frugally. 

19 Son of Man came eating and drinking ; as other peo- 
ple do. There was no consistency in their conduct; since 
they rejected John because he did not eat and drink as 
others, and repudiated Christ because he did so eat. Their 
conduct was like that of capricious children. 

21 Chorazin, . . . Bethsaida: cities in Galilee, in which. 
Jesus performed many mighty works. Tyre and Sidon; 
commercial cities in the western part of Palestine, on the 
Mediterranean Sea. Sackcloth and ashes; signs of deep 
penitence and sorrow. 

.23 Exalted to ETeatien; enjoy the greatest privileges. Ya 
shaU go down to Hades; suffer the most horrible doom. 
Remained until this day; would not have been destroyed. 

24 More tolerable; they will be punished less, because- 
they rejected less light. 

25 Bide these things from the wise and discerning; th& 
learned and self-sufficient do not understand the mysteries 
of God's government and providence. Bidst reveal them to 
babes; to the humble and lowly, who feel their dependence 
upon God. 

26 It was well-pleasing before Thee; because it was best 
that it should be so. If proud and ambitious men could, 
by force of mere intellect, understand the mysteries of God. 
great evil would result. 

> 27 Allthings weredeliveredto Me; theFnttier committed 
to Chris-t all things, as He is the Mediator, and Head over 



MATTHEW 



19 



My Father; and no one fully knows the 
Son except the Father; neither does any 
one fully know the Father except the Son, 
and he to whom the Son willeth to reveal 
Him. 

28 " Come to me, all ye who are labor- 



ing and are heavy laden, and I will give 
you rest. 29 Take My yoke upon you, 
and learn of Me; because I am meek and 
lowly in heart; and ye shall find rest for 
your souls; 30 for My yoke is easy, and 
My burden light." 



all things to the assembly, and final Judge of the living and 
the dead. The Son willeth to reveal Hi/m; the Son reveals 
the Father to those who believe in His atoning blood, and 
there is no way to learn or to know the Father except 
through the Son. "This is life eternal, that they may 
know Thee, the only true God, and Jesus Christ Whom 
Thou hast sent." (John 17:3). 

28 Heavy laden; with sins, sorrows, and burdens of any 
kind. I will give you rest; I will rest you. 



29 Take My yoke upon you; submit yourselves wholly 
to My government. Leamof Me; gather lessons from My 
life of self-denial, self-torgetfulness. and abandonment to 
to the will of the Father. Ye shall find rest ; a rest that 
results from a lite of full surrender to Me. Jesus first 
gives rest, and then we are to find rest by following Him 
fully. (seeHeb. 4:3. 10. 11). 



CHAPTER Xn. 

THE DISCIPLES PLUCK HEADS OF GRAIN. 

1 At that time Jesus went on the sab- 
bath through the grain-fields; and His dis- 
ciples were hungry, and began to pluck 
heads of grain, and to eat. 2 But the 
Pharisees, seeing it, said to Him, "Be- 
hold, Thy disciples are doing that which it 
is not lawful to do on a sabbath." 

3 And He said to them, "Did ye not 
read what David did, when he was hun- 
gry, and those with him? 4 how he en- 
tered into the house of God, and ate the 
showbread, which it was not lawful for 
him to eat, nor for those with him, but 
only for the priests? 5 Or did ye not 
read in the law that, on the sabbath, the 
priests in the temple profane the sabbath, 
and are guiltless ? 6 But I say to you, a 
greater than the temple is here. 7 And, 
if ye had known what this means, 'I de- 
sire mercy, and not sacrifice,' ye would 
not have condemned the guiltless; 8 for 
the Son of Man is Lord of the sabbath." 

JESUS HEALED A WITHERED HAND. 

9 And, having passed on thence, He 



came into their synagogue. 10 And, be- 
hold, a man having a withered hand; and 
they questioned Him, saying, " Is it law- 
ful to heal on the sabbath?" that they 
might accuse Him. 11 And He said to 
them, " What man of you who shall have 
one sheep; and if this should fall into a pit 
on the sabbath, will not lay hold of it, and 
raise it up ? 12 How much better, there- 
fore, is a man than a sheep ! Therefore, 
it is lawful to do well on the sabbath." 13 
Then saith He to the man, " Stretch forth 
your hand." And he stretched it forth; 
and it was restored whole as the other. 

THE PHARISEES PLOTTING. JESUS RETIRES. 
HEALS MANY. 

14: But the Pharisees, having gone out, 
held a consultation against Him, that they 
might destroy Him. 15 But Jesus, know- 
ing it, withdrew thence; and many fol- 
lowed Him, and He healed them all. 16 
And He charged them, that they should 
not make Him known; 17 that it might 
be fulfilled which was spoken through 
Isaiah the prophet, saying, 18 " Behold, 
My servant Whom I chose, My Beloved, 



NOTES ON CHAPTER XII. 

1 Orainfields; fields of barley or wheat. Indian corn 
■was not known then. Pluck heads of grain ; pick off the 
heads of grain, and rubbed them in their hands, to separate 
the grain from the chaff, (see Luke 6:1). 

2 Not lawful ; because, as the Pharisees assumed, it was 
a violation of the fourth commandment. 

3 What David did; I Bam. n-.l-Q. The urgency of the 
matter seemed to excuse the deed. 

5 Read in the law; Num. 28:9, 10. Profane the sahliath; 
do what it would be wrong to do, except it had been re- 
quired by the very duties of the office. These examples of 
David and the priests show that the law was not inflexible ; 
and, if such exceptions were admissible, how much more 
should the disciples be t-icused, when eating to satisfy their 
hunger, while they were attending the ministry of Him 
Who was "Lord of the sabbath." Circumcision was also 
another work that might be done on the sabbath, (John 
7:33). Guiltless ; because the circumstances justified It. 



A greater than the temple ; Jesus Himself. If, In the 
service of the temple, the priests might profane the sab- 
bath according to the letter, much more might His dis- 
ciples in His service ; for He was Lord both of the temple 
and of the sabbath. 

7 Mercy, and not sacrifice; see note on ch, 9:13. 

8 liord of the sablbath ; He is its Author, and had the 
right to prescribe the manner of its observance. 

14 Hoiv they might destroy Him; it mattered not how 
many or how great miracles He performed, these only 
made the Pharisees and Sadducees more intent on putting 
Him to death. 

15 He healed them all; Jesus never lost an opportunity— 
so far as we know— for healing people; nor is He less able, 
or less disposed, to heal His obedient, whole-hearted fol- 
fowers now. 

16 Not make Him known; He sought no notoriety, but 
preferred to do His work in a quiet and unostentatious 
manner. 



MATTHEW 



in Whom My soul delighted. I will put 
My Spirit upon Him, and He will declare 
judgment to the gentiles 19 He will not 
strive, nor cry aloud; nor will any one hear 
His voice in the streets. 20 A bruised 
reed will He not break, and a snioking 
flax will He not quench, till He send forth 
judgment unto victory; 21 And in His 
name will the gentiles hope." 

DEMONIAC CURED. BLASPHEMING AGAINST 
THE SPIRIT. 

22 Then there was brought to Him a de- 
moniac, blind, and dumb; and He healed 
him, so that the dumb man spake and saw. 

23 And all the multitudes were amazed, 
and said, " Can this be the Son of David? " 

24 But the Pharisees, hearing it, said, 
"This Man doth not cast out the demons, 
except by^ Beelzebub, prince of the de- 
mons." 25 And, knowing their thoughts, 
He said to them, "Every kingdom, di- 
vided against itself, is brought to naught; 
and every city or house, divided against 
itself, shall not stand. 26 And, if Satan 
cast out Satan, he is divided against him- 
self; how, then, shall his kingdom stand? 
27 And, if I by Beelzebub cast out the de- 
mons, by whom do your sons cast them out ? 
Therefore, they shall be your judges. 



18 Whom I chose; lsa.i^:l-S. The Father chose the Son 
to be the world's Redeemer; and in the purpose of God He 
was as a " Lamb slain from the foundation of the world," 
(Rev. 13:8). 

19 JVof strive, no?' cry ; not come with ambitious display, 
as the Jews expected. 

20 A hruvted reed; an emblem of feeble persons, bur- 
dened, with trouble or difficulties. Not break, ; not oppress. 
or trample down. A smoking flax : and ancient lamp- wick. 
Will Be Jiot quench ; our Saviour would not quench the 
smallest beginnings of grace in the heart. Unto victory, 
till truth and mercy should be in the ascendant. 

24 Beelzebub ; the name applied to the prince of unclean 
spirits— another name for Diabolus or Satan. By applying 
It to Christ, they heaped the utmost contempt upon Him. 

85 Diviiled against itself; having opposing principles, 
and working against itself. 

27 Tour sons; some Jews claimed the power to cast 
out demons. In cases of this sort, were they acting in 
harmony with Beelzebub f Shall be your judges ; in ascrib- 
ing to Satan in My case what you would refer to God in the 
case of your children. 

28 The Kingdom of God came upon you unexpectedly. 
or sooner than you expected; or it has come into your 
midst, and you did not have spiritual discernment to per- 
ceive it. 

29 Enter into the house ofthestrong man; Satan represents 
the strong man, and Christ is the stronger. Who binds Sa- 
tan, and casts him out of individual hearts, and despoils 
him of his property that he has tyrannically usurped, and 



28 But, if I by the Spirit of God cast out 
the demons, then the Kingdom of God 
came upon you unexpectedly. 29 Or how 
can one enter into the house of the strong 
man, and seize upon his goods, unle.ss he 
first bind the strong man? And then he 
will plunder his house. 30 He that is not 
with Me is against Me; and he that gath- 
ers not with Me scatters. 31 Therefore, 
I say to you, every sin and blasphemy 
will be forgiven to men, but the blasphemy 
against the Spirit shall not be forgiven. 
32 And whosoever speaks a word against 
the Son of Man, it shall be forgiven him; 
but whosoever speaks against the Holy 
Spirit, it shall not be forgiven, neither in 
this age nor in that which is to come. 33 
Either make the tree good and its fruit 
good, or make the tree worthless and its 
fruit worthless; for from the fruit the 
tree is known. 

34 "Broods of vipers I how can ye speak 
good things, being yourselves evil? For, 
out of the abimdance of the heart, the 
mouth speaks. 35 The good man, out of 
his good treasure, puts forth good things; 
and the evil man, out of his evil treasure, 
puts forth evil things. 

36 "And I say to you, that every idle 
word that men shall speak, they shall give 
account concerning it in the day of judg- 

will ultimately cast him into the lake that burns with fire 
and brimstone." (Rev. 20:10; see also Luke 11 :20-22). 

30 He that is not with Me is against Me ; there is no such 
thing as neutrality. Every one who does not belong to 
Christ belongs to Satan. 

31. 32 Will be forgiven to him; if he repents and accepts 
cleansing through the blood of Christ. But the blasphemy 
against the Spirit shall not be forgiven; is unpardona- 
ble. It can never be effectually repented of, because this 
sin is against the very One Who works repentance in those 
who yield to Him. This sin, as here described, seems to 
have been a deliberate ascription of the works of the Spirit 
to Satan, (see Mark 3:30). There may be sins of a fatal 
character along other lines ; as when the sinner persistently 
and purposely refuses to yield to conviction wrought in 
him by the Holy Spirit. 

33 iljra?f6t7i6 tree ffoocl; make the heart pure. The fruit; 
the conduct and life. r7iCirecis?c)iow?i; character is judged 
of by the life, or by one's works. These words have a 
double application; first, to Christ the Pharisees should 
prove that His works are evil, or else admit that He is 
good. Second, to His critics : they, being evil, can neither 
speak or do anything good, as He tells them in the next 
verse. 

Si Broods of vipers; how can ye, being evil, speak good 
things. 

36 Every idle word; a word spoken without any worthy 
intention, or a wontonly malignant word, as in the present 
case, spoken against Christ, or the Holy Spirit. 



MATTHEW 



21 



ment; 37 for by your words you sliall be 
justified, and by your words you sliall be 
condemned."' 

THE SIGN OF JONAH. WISDOM OF SOLOMON. 
DEMON RETURNING. 

38 Then some of the scribes and Phari- 
sees answered Him, saying, "Teacher, we 
wish to sec a sign from Thee." 39 And 
He, answering, said to them, "An evil and 
adulterous generation is seeking after a 
sign; and no sign shall be given to it, ex- 
cept the sign of Jonah the prophet. 40 
For, as Jonah was three days and three 
nights in the belly of the great fish, so shall 
the Son of INIan be three days and three 
nights in the heart of the earth. 

41 "The men of Nineveh will rise up in 
the judgment with tliis generation, and will 
condemn it; because they repented at the 
preaching of Jonah, and, behold, a greater 
than Jonah is here. 

42 "A queen of the south will rise up in 
the judgment with this generation, and will 
condemn it; because she came from the 
ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of 
Solomon, and, behold, a greater than Solo- 
mon is here. 



43 "But, when the unclean spirit goes 
out from the man, it passes through water- 
less places seeking rest, and finds it not. 
44 Then it says, 'I will return into my 
house whence I came out;' and, having 
come, it finds it unoccupied, swept, and 
adorned. 45 Then it goes and takes along 
with itself seven other spirits more evil 
than itself, and, entering in, they dwell 
there; and the last state of that man be- 
comes worse than the first. So shall it be 
also to this wicked generation." 

46 While He was yet speaking to the 
multitudes, behold, His mother and His 
brothers were standing without, seeking to 
speak to Him. [47 And one said to Him, 
"Behold, Thy mother and Thy brothers 
are standing without, seeking to speak to 
Thee."]* 48 But He, answering, said to 
him that told Him, " Wlio is My mother, 
and who are My brothers?" 49 And 
stretching forth His hand toward His 
disciples. He said, "Behold, My mother 
and My brothers ! 50 For whosoever does 
the will of INIy Father Who is in Heaven, 
he is My brother, and sister, and mother." 



Verse 47 is omitted from best MSB. 



37 By your words; because words flow from the heart, 
and indicate its real character. 

38 A sign ; some miraculous work. They had been wit- 
liessing siyns in all the healings He performed, but their 
blindness robbed them of the benefit that might have come 
to them, (seech. 16:1; Mark 8:11; John 6:30). 

39 No sign; such as they exacted. His resurrection, in 
due time, after His crucifixion and burial, would be a sign, 
but one that would not be likely. to do them any good. 

40 In the hdly of the great fi^'ih: in which Jonah was a 
type of Christ. The Omniscient Jesus had no doubt as to 
the truth of the record regarding Jonah. The so-called 
"higher critics " should be careful, lest their refusal to be- 
lieve these Scriptures, should ultimately class them with 
the Pharisees. It appears that Jesus must have been 
buried on Wednesday or Thursday at the latest to have 
met the conditions of lying three days and three nights in 
the heart of the earth. 

41 The men of Nineveh; Jonah 3:5. A greater than 
Jonah; Christ Jesus, the Messiah. 

42 Aquceii of the south; the Queen of Sheba, (I Kings 
10:1-9). Greater than Solomon; the Maker of Solomon and 
of all created things, (John 1 :3). 

43 When the unclean spirit goes out from the man ; as in 



times of great revival, or when he has been cast out through 
the agency of God's servants. (Mark 16:17; ch. 10:1; etc.). 
It passes through watei-Uss places ; barren or desert places. 
Seeking rest; disembodied evil spirits are restless, whea 
not dwelling in some other being. 

44 I will return into my hi 'Use; the body it once inhabited. 
Finds it unoccupied, swept, and adorned ireaiy for an occu- 
pant. If the Holy Spirit does not come in to occupy one's 
being, after once the evil spirit has gone out, the former 
demon, with others, will be sure to return, and the last state 
will be worse than the first. If men will not yield to the 
influence of the Holy Spirit, evil spirits will gladly cripple 
and mar their lives more and more. This teaching had 
primary application to the Jews, but it is true of all na- 
tions and of all adult people now. 

48 TVlio is My mother ? ; perhaps this question was asked 
to awaken a closer attention to what He was trying to 
teach them; viz.: that spiritual relationship among true 
believers, far surpasses in dignity and value all earthly re- 
lations. 

50 WTiosoever does the will of My Father, Who is in 
Heaven, he is My brother, and sister, and mother; My near- 
est and dearest relations. What a rebuke is this to those 
who worship Mary, the mother of Jesus 1 



CHAPTER XIH. 

PARABLE OF THE SOWER. 

1 On that day Jesus, having gone out of 
the house, was sitting by the seaside. 2 
And there were gathered to Him great 



multitudes; so that He, having entered 
into a boat, sat down, and all the multi- 
tudes were standing on the beach. 3 And 
He spake to them many things in para- 
bles, saying, "Behold, the sower went 



NOTES ON CHAPTER XIII. 

1 By the seaside ; sea of Galilee. 

2 A boat ; probably a fishing boat. 



3 Parables; Jesus was fond of setting forth spiritual 
truth through the things in nature with which the people 
were familiar. 



MATTHEW 



forth to sow. 4 And, in his sowing, some 
needs fell by the wayside, and the birds, 
coming, devoured them. 6 And others 
fell on the rocky places, where they had 
not much earth; and straightway they 
sprang up, because tlu^y had not depth of 
earth. 6 And, the sun having risen, they 
were scorched; and, because they had no 
root, they withered away. 7 And others 
fell upon the thorns, and the thorns sprang 
up and choked them. 8 And others fell 
on the good ground, and were yielding 
fruit, some a hundredfold, some sixty, 
and some thirty. 9 He. that has ears let 
him hear." 

THE PARABLE OF THE SOWER EXPLAINED. 

10 And the disciples, having come near, 
said to Him, "AYherefore dost Thou speak 
to them in parables?" H And He, an- 
swering, said to them, " Because to you it 
has been given to know the mysteries of 
the Kingdom of Heaven, but to them it 
Las not been given. 12 For whosoever 
has, to him shall be given, and he shall 
be made to abound; but whosoever has not, 
even what he has shall be taken away from 
him. 13 On this account, I speak to them 
in parables; because, seeing, they see not; 
and, hearing, they hear not, nor under- 

4 Some seeds fell hy the wavside; where ths ground was 
not plouglied. and the seeds were left uncovered. 

5 RocTiy places ; where there was but little earth. 

6 Because they had no root; the roots were not able to 
penetrate the soil, and hence they could not grow. 

7 TTiorns ; uncleared portions of the field. Choked them; 
the thorns, shading the grain and exhausting the strength 
c." the soil, prevented the grain from yielding any perfect 
fruit. 

8 Good ground; fertile soil, and well prepared. Note 
the different grades of soils. In the first, the seed does 
not come up; in the second, it comes up, but withers away ; 
in the third, it comes up, but bears no perfect grain; in the 
fourth, it yields a fine quantity. 

10 Wherefore . . . speak . . . parables ? ; probably this 
Tras the first time He used parables in His teaching. In 
the Sermon on the Mount He used similes, but not parables. 

11 To youit hasTtecn given : the disciples who loved Him; 
and sought to understand His teachings, were specially 
favored. The mysteries; the deep truths of the Gospel. 
To them; to the outside world. It has not heen given; to 
understand these mysteries. 

12 Whosoever has ; some knowledge of these mysteries. 
To Mm shall be given; more knowledge. Hath not; has no 
knowledge of these things, and no real desire to get it. 
Even that which he has; his present opportunities will be 
taken away. The principle here lai J down is. that those 
who have a knowledge of divine things and appreciate it, 
can get more ; while those who have no such knowledge, 
and care nothing for it, will not only not learn the truth, 
but will finally lose all opportunity lor learning it. 

13 Seeing, they see not; have ability and opportunities to 



stand, 14 And to^ them is fulfilled the 
prophecy of Isaiah, which says, 'With 
hearing ye will hear, and will not under- 
stand; and, seeing, ye will see, and will 
not perceive; 15 for the heart of this 
people was made gross, and with their 
ears they heard heavily, and their eyes 
they clo.sed; lest they should see with their 
eyes, and hear with their ears, and under- 
stand with their heart, and turn, and I 
should heal them.' 16 But happy are your 
eyes, because they see; and your ears, be- 
cause they hear. 17 For verily I say to 
you, that many prophets and righteous 
men desired to see what ye are seeing, and 
did not see them; and to hear what ye are 
hearing, and did not hear t/ie?7i. 18 Hear 
ye, therefore, the parable of the sower. 
19 When any one hears the word of the 
Kingdom, and understands it not, the 
evil one comes, and snatches away what 
has been sown in his heart: tliis is he that 
was sown by the wayside. 20 And he 
that was sown on the rocky places, this is 
he who hears the word, and straightway 
with joy receives it; 21 yet he has not 
root in himself, but is o?iljty temporary; 
and, when tribulation or persecution arises 



Gr. 



or, with. 



learn the truth, but do not utilize them. Their want of ap- 
preciation, coupled with their self-complacency, justified 
the Saviour in speaking to them only in parables. 

14 Fulfdlcd; Isa. 6:9, 10. With hearing, or by hearing; 
meaning that they had the physical sense of hearing. JVot 
understand; wanting in power or will to appreciate what 
they heard. 

15 Note. We are not to understand that these Jews 
were in this wretched state of blindness and dullness and 
hostility to the truth, because of any purpose or decree of 
God adverse to them; for God takes no pleasure in the 
death of the wicked, (Ezek. 18:32) ; but when men deliber- 
ately choose to resist the light, God suffers them to walk 
in darkness. 

16 They sec; . . , tfteyhear; thedisoiplesusedtheirfacul- 
ties aright in trying to get the truth; hence they were 
happy. 

17 Desired to see what ye are seeing; many devout men had 
desired to see the works that Jesus was doing, and hear the 
truths He was teaching. 

18 Hear ... tJieparoble; learn what it teaches. It rep- 
resents the thoughtless, the fickle, the worldly-minded, and 
the truly pious. 

19 The word of the Kingdom; the truths of the Gospel. 
Understands it not ; because he is careless, and indifferent to 
the claims of the truth. Here we find the thoughtless, dull, 
and careless hearer. 

20 Straightway ; at once, indicating want of sober reflec- 
tion and deep conviction, as also lack of preparation aris- 
ing from counting the cost, (see Luke 14:25-33). 

21 Eds not root in himself ; lacks true Christian princi- 
ple, the root of the Christ-life. He stumbles ; becomes dis- 



MATTHEW 



23 



because of the word, straightway ho stum- 
blos. 22 And he that was sown among 
'the thorns, this is he that hears the word; 
and the anxiety of the age and the deceit- 
fulness of rich(>s choke the word, and it 
becomes unfruitful. 23 But he that was 
sown on the good ground, this is he tliat 
hears the word and understands -It; who, 
indeed, bears fruit, and produces, some a 
hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty." 

PARABLE OF THE WHEAT AND TARES. 

24 Another parable He set before them, 
saying, "The Kingdom of Heaven was 
likened to a man who sowed good seed in 
his field; 25 and, while men were sleep- 
ing, his enemy came and sowed tares in 
the midst of the wheat, and went away. 
26 And, when the blade sprang up, and 
produced fruit, then appeared the tares 
also. 27 And the servants of the house- 
holder, coming near, said to him, 'Sir, 
did you not sow good seed in your field? 
Whence, then, has it tares ? ' 28 And he 
said to them, 'An enemy did this.' The 
servants say to him, ' Do you wish, then, 
that we, going, should gather them up? 

29 He says, 'No; lest, while ye gather up 
the tares, jq root up the wheat with them. 

30 Suffer both to grow together until the 
harvest. And, in the season of harvest, I 
will say to the reapers, Gather up first 
the tares, and bind them into bundles. 



witli the view of ])urning them; but gather 
the wheat into my barn.' " 

TARABLE OF THE MUSTARD SEED. 

31 Another parable He set before them, 
saying, " The Kingdom of Heaven is like 
a grain of mustard seed, which a man, 
having taken, sowed in his field: 32 
which, indeed, is less than all the seeds; 
but, when it is grown, it is greater than 
the herbs, and becomes a tree, so that 
the birds of the heaven come and roost "^ 
in its branches." 

THE PARABLE OF THE LEAVEN. 

33 Another parable He spake to them: 
" The Kingdom of Heaven is like leaven, 
which a woman, taking, hid in three meas- 
ures of meal, till the whole was leavened." 

34 All these things Jesus spake to the 
multitudes in parables; and, without a 
parable. He was wont to speak nothing to 
them; 35 that it might be fulfilled which 
was spoken through the prophet, saying, 
" I will open My mouth in parables; I will 
utter things hidden from the foundation of 
the world."* 

THE PARABLE OF THE TARES EXPLAINED. 

36 Then, leaving the multitudes. He 
went into the house; and His disciples 
came to Him, saying, " Explain to us the 



Or, dwell. *Manj' Mss. omit ^' of the world." 



«ouraged, and, perhaps, gives up the whole thing, to avoid 
suffering for Jesus. Only those who will cling to Jesus, 
despite all oppositions and hardships will amount to much 
here or hereafter. 

22 The anxiety of the age; the cares of life that press 
upon him. The deceitfulness of riches ; nothing more ef- 
fectually undermines religious conviction, and paralyzes 
spiritual energy, than riches and the train of evils they 
hring with them. Unfruitful; of course — how could it he 
otherwise I There may he a little dwarfed grain in the 
midst of thorn-hushes, but there will he too little to inter- 
est the harvesters. 

23 Bears fruit; abundant fruitage characterizes the 
true believer,- who accepts the truth in all its fulness, and 
permits the Gospel to produce its full effects in his heart 
and life. These are "the light of the world," and "the 
salt of the earth." 

24 Likened to a man who sowed good seed ; visible Christi- 
anity is here likened to a field in which a man sowed good 
seed, representing the pure doctrines of the Grospel; and 
the growing grain represents those who accept the truth, 
and live it, 

25 Tares; a species of darnel bearing poisonous seed, 
^nd much resembling the growing wheat, 

26 Produced fruit: when the fruit, or grain, became 
visible. Then avpexiredthe tares: though the stalks of wheat 
and tares were much alike, the fruit borne by each, was 
-quite different. The fruit was so different, one could not 
iail to distinguish it. "By their fruits ye shall know them, " 



28 Anenemy didthis; the Devil has his sowers ; and so he 
was represented in this field. Gather them up ; by pulling 
them up, a stalk, or a bunch, at a time. 

29 Boot up the wheat with them; as there was danger of 
mistaking the wheat for the tares, or, because the pulling up 
of the tares might damage the roots of the wheat, it was 
best not to undertake the separation till harvest- time. 

30 Harvest ; the time of judgment. Reapers ; the angels ; 
Tares; the wicked. Wheat; the righteous. (See also vs. 
i9and50). 

31 Like a grain of mustard seed; the beginnings of Chris- 
tianity in the heart are very small ; likewise, it was small 
in its visible beginning. The growth of the mustard stalk 
is a picture of the growth of Christianity, 

33 Becomes a tree; in Palestine the mustard grows very 
large ; but in California (U. S. A. ) , it sometimes grows to be 
from ten to fifteen feet in height. 

33 Leaven; leaven is generally used in the Scriptures in 
a bad sense; but here it seems to be used to set forth 
the all-pervasive and powerful influence of Christianity. 
As leaven leavens the whole lump, so Christianity reaches 
and controls individuals and communites. Three meas- 
ures of meal; may allude to the threefold elements in hu- 
man beings; as, spirit, soul and body, (see I Thess. 5:23). 

35 2'AepropAei; Asaph, (Ps. 78:2). The history of Israel, 
as recounted by the prophet, was typical of the mysteries 
of Christ's Kingdom, (see I Cor. 10:11). 



24 



MATTHEW 



parabloof the tares of the field." 37 And, 
answering, lie said, "He that sows the 
good seed is the Son of Man. 38 The 
field is the world; and the good seed, these 
are the sons of the Kingdom; but the tares 
are the sons of the evil one; 39 and the en- 
emy that sowed them is the Devil; and the 
harvest is the end of the age; and the 
reapers are angels. 40 As, therefore, the 
tares are gathered up, and are burned 
with fire, so shall it be in the end of the 
age. 41 The Son of Man will send forth 
His angels, and they will gather out of the 
Kingdom all the stumbling-blocks, and 
those who do iniquity; 42 and they will 
cast them into the furnace of fire. There 
will be the weeping, and the gnasliing 
of teeth ! 43 Then the righteous will 
shine forth as the sun in the Kingdom of 
their Father. He that has ears let him 
hear. 

A inCDEN TREASURE. 

44 "Again, the Kingdom of Heaven is 
like a treasure hidden in the field, which a 
man found and hid; and in his joy he goes 
and sells all that he has, and buys that 
field. 

A YERY VALUABLE PEARL. 

45 " Again, the Kingdom of Heaven is 
like a merchant seeking beautiful pearls; 
46 and, having found one pearl of great 
price, departing, he has sold all that he 
had, and bought it. 

THE DRAG— NET. 

47 " Again, the Kingdom of Heaven is 
like a net, cast into the sea, and gathering 



of every kind; 48 which, when it was 
filled, having drawn it up again upon the 
beach, and sitting down, they gathered 
the good into vessels, but cast away the 
bad. 49 So will it be at the end of the 
age. The angels will go forth, and will 
separate the wicked from the midst of the 
righteous, 50 and will cast them into the 
furnace of fire: there shall be the weeping, 
and the gnashing of teeth. 

THE WELL-TAUGHT SCRIBE. 

51 " Did ye understand all these things?" 
They say to Him, "Yes;" 62 and He 
said to them, "Therefore, every scribe, 
having been made a disciple to the King- 
dom of Heaven, is like a householder, who 
brings forth out of his treasure things 
new and old." 

53 And it came to pass, when Jesus 
finished these parables. He departed thence. 
54 And, coming into His own country, 
Pie taught them in their synagogues, so 
that they were astonished, and said, 
" Whence hath this Man this wisdom, and 
the mighty works ? 55 Is not This the car- 
penter's Son? Is not His mother called 
Mary, and His brothers, James, and Jo- 
seph, and Simon, and Judas? 56 And 
His sisters, are they not all with us? 
Whence, then, hath tliis Man all these 
things ? " 57 And they were finding in Him 
occasion to stumble. And Jesus said to 
them "a prophet is not without honor, ex- 
cep*: in his own country, and in his own 
house." 58 And He did not perform many 
mighty works there because of their un- 
belief. 



37-43 The Son of Man; meaning Himself. All true 
workers in the Kingdom are agents, under Christ, for sow- 
ing the seed of the Gospel. The field is the world; the 
Gospel is to be preached in all the world, (Mark 16:15) ; to 
take out of the gentiles a people for His name, (Acts 
15:14) ; and as a witness unto all nations, (ch. 24:14). Tlie 
sons of the Kingdom; the real children of God. Tares 
are the sons of the evil one; of the Devil, or Satan, 
though many of them are enrolled on church records 
among the people of God. All tlie stumbling-Mocks; dur- 
ing the Millennial reign, as also during the ages of ages 
that follow it, "the stumhling-hlocks" are to be put out 
of the way. Let it not be inferred that the souls or spirits 
of the wicked will become extinct through the flames that 
will encounter them, (see Rev. 20:10). Then theriahteoua; 
"The sons of the Kingdom." Shine forth as the sun: be 
unspeakably glorious in the Kingdom of Christ, (Rev. 
3:21; 21:7). 

44 Sells all . . . and buys; buys the field, that he may 
secure the treasure. Whoever sees and appreciates his 
possibilities in Christ, will gladly yield his all to God. that 
he may have his full portion in Christ. 

45 Seeking beautiful pearls; Christ is the most beautiful 
Pearl. O ye pearl-hunters, seek Christ, "win Christ," 
(Phil. 3:8). 



47-50 A net, . . . cast into thesea; here the'sea represents 
the world; and the net, the Gospel of Christ and its work- 
ers. This parable, like that of the tares, shows the 
mixed condition of things in the visible Kingdom of Grod 
on earth, to the close of the dispensation. 

52 Every scribe; referring to the Jewish scribes, whose 
work, in part, was to teach the law of Moses, Christ's 
ministers are to teach the Gospel, the new thing, and they 
are to be able to expound the law, showing wherein the law 
is swallowed up in grace ; expounding the word thus, they 
bring out things new and old. 

54 Into Sis own country; Nazareth, (ch. 2:23). 

55 Is not This the carpenter's Son?; Joseph, Christ's re- 
puted father, was a carpenter. 

56 Whence, . . . all these things?; this wonderful wisdom, 
and mighty power. They recognized the facts in the case, 
but they seemed unable to understand how a man of so 
humble a position (as they saw it) could manifest such 
wisdom and power I 

57 And they were finding in Bim occasion; in His humble 
ori gin. Here was an instance in which ignorance was the 
real cause of stumbling. 

58 Because of their unbelief; unbelief restrains the 
power of God. What a mighty evil it must bel 



MATTHEW 



CHAPTER Xiy. 

1 At that time Herod the tetrarch heard 
the report concerning' Jesus, and said to 
his servants, 2 "This is John the Im 
merser; He arose from the dead; and 
therefore do the powers work in Him." 

3 For Herod, having laid hold of John, 
bound him, and put him in prison, be 
cause of Herodias, his brother Philip's 
Avife. 4 For John said to him, " It is not 
lawful for you to have her." 5 And, 
wishing- to kill him, he feared the raulti 
tude, because they were holding him as i 
prophet. 

6 But, on a birthday celebration of 
Herod, the daughter of Herodias danced 
in the midst, and pleased Herod. 
Whereupon he promised with an oath to 
give her whatever she should ask. 8 And 
she, urged on by her mother, says, " Give 
me here upon a plate the head of John the 
Immerser." 9 And the king, though 
grieved, yef^ because of the oaths and of 
those sitting at the table with them, or- 
dered it to be given; 10 and, having sent, 
he beheaded John in the prison; 11 and 
his head was brought upon a plate, and 
given to the damsel; and she brought it 
to her mother. 12 And his disciples, 
coming, took up the corpse, and buried it; 
and, coming, they told Jesus; 13 And 
Jesus, having heard ^V, withdrew thence, 
in a boat, into a desert, apart.^ And the 



Or, privatelu. 



multitudes, hearing of it, followed Him 
on foot from the cities. 

HE FEEDS FIVE THOUSAND MIRACULOUSLY. 

14 And Jesus, coming forth, saw a great 
multitude, and was moved with compas- 
sion over them, and healed their sick. 15 
And, evening coming on, the disciples 
came to Him, saying, " The place is desert, 
and the time already passed by: dismiss 
the multitudes, that, having gone into the 
villages, they may buy food for them- 
selves." 16 But Jesus said to them, 
■'They have no need to go away. Give 
ye them to eat. "_ 17 And they say to Him, 
■' We have nothing here except five loaves 
and two fishes." 18 And He said, " Bring 
them here to Me." 19 And, having- com- 
manded the multitudes to recline on the 
grass — taking the five loaves and two 
fishes — looking up into the heaven, He 
blessed; and, having' broken, He gave the 
loaves to the disciples, and the disciples to 
the multitudes. 20 And they all ate, and 
were satisfied; and they took up that 
wliich remained over of the broken pieces, 
twelve baskets full. , 21 And those eating' 
were about five thousand men, besides 
women and children. 

JESUS WALKS ON THE SEA. 

_ 22 And straightway He constrained the 
disciples to enter into a boat, and to go be- 
fore Him to the other side, till He should 



NOTES ON CHAPTER XIV. 
1 Herod; Herod Antipas. a son of Herod the Great, wlio 
slew the male children in Bethlehem, (oh. 2:16). The tet- 
rarch; a ruler of the fourth part. He was called this, be- 
cause he was a ruler of the fourth part of his father's 
kingdom. 

3 This is John the Immerser; this was probably the sug- 
gestion of a guilty conscience. 

4 It is not lawful; Herod had taken Herodias, who was 
his brother Philip's wife, and had forcibly made her his 
own. Herodias had a daughter by Philip, named Salome, 
whose dancing was the occasion of John's losing his head. 

5 He feared the multitude; because, if he had murdered 
John as he wished to do, he was apprehensive that the 
people who believed John to be a prophet, might revolt, 
and give him trouble. 

7 Promised with an oath; what a wicked and foolish 
thing to do! Whatever she should asR; one act of folly 
leads to another ; and the poor wretch is caught in his own 



8 Urged on 6j/ her mother; Salome, influenced by her 
mother, waves her right, under the oath, to ask for wealth, 
but, at the urgent request of her adulterous mother, she 
asks for the head of John. 

9 Grieved; not because he cared anything for John, but 
because this request of the damsel ran counter to his pru- 



dential policy in imprisoning John, rather than killing 
him. Those sitting at the table with him; he regarded 
these more than he did God. 

And healed, their sick; Jesus was always ready to 
heal the sick; and so He is now, when we approach Him in 
faith. 

15 Evening coming on; the Jews had two evenings ; one 
beginning at three o'clock p. m., and the other about six 

clock p. M. ; the former being the one here meant, and 
the latter the one referred to in v. 23. 

They have no need to go away; when Jesus becomes 
the Source of supply, there can be no scarcity. 

Bring them here to Me; Jesus utilizes small things, 
and increases them at will. This, however, does not annul 
the fact that He wrought a mighty miracle, in that He 
created cooked bread and fish to satisfy these thousands. 

19 He blessed; He asked a blessing on the food, or re- 
turned thanks for it. 

Twelve baskets full; the fragments were much more 
than they had to start with. Jesus had not lost His crea- 
tive power by taking on humanity, (see John 1 :l-3). 

About Ave thousand men, besides women and children; 
what a wonderful Saviour is Jesus I He can feed thousands 
of hungry people, and have more left after feeding them, 
than He had to start with 1 This miracle, besides the 
mercy displayed in feeding these hungry multitudes, was 
-^fint, no doubt, to illustrate the doctrine, that Be is the 
^.-.^d of life, (John 6:48-58). 



MATTHEW 



dismiss the multitudes. 23 And, having 
dismissed the multitudes, He went up into 
the mountain, apart, to pray; and, even- 
ing coming on, He was there alone. 24 
But the boat was now in the midst of the 
sea, distressed by the waves; for the wind 
was contrary. 25 And, in the fourth 
watch of the night. He came to them, 
walking on the sea. 26 And the disciples, 
seeing Him walking on the sea, were 
troubled, saying, "It is a ghost !"^ And 
they cried out for fear. 27 But Jesus 
straightway spake to them, saying, "Be 
of good cheer. It is I; be not afraid." 

28 And Peter, answering Him, said, 
" Lord, if it be Thou, bid me come to Thee 
on the water." 29 And He said, "Come." 
And, going down from the boat, Peter 



2 Or. apparition. 



walked upon the water, and came to Jesus. 
30 But, seeing the wind, he was fright- 
ened; and, beginning to sink, he cried 
out, saying, " Lord, save me ! " 31 And 
immediately Jesus, stretching forth His 
hand, took hold of him, and saith to him, 
■'0 thou of little faith, why did you 
doubt?" 32 And, when they went up 
into the boat, the wind ceased. 33 And 
those in the boat worshiped Him, saying, 
"Truly Thou art God's Son." 

34 And, passing over, they came into the 
land of Gennesaret. 35 And, recogniz- 
ing Him, the men of that place sent into 
all that region round about, and brought 
to Him all who were sick; 36 and they 
were beseeching Him, that they might 
only touch the border of His garment; and 
as many as touched ii were made thoroughly 
well. 



23 Went up . . . apart, to pray; if Jesus found it profit- 
able to go apart, and pray, how much more should His dis- 
ciples ? Our needs are so many ; and yet. because we do 
not ask, we often fail to receive! 

25 In the fourth watch; between three and six o'clock 
in the morning. The Jews had four watches ; the first be- 
ginning at six and ending at nine p. m.; the second ex- 
tending from nine to twelve; the third, from twelve to 
three a. m. ; and the fourth as above. 

26 It is a ohost; a phantasm, a specter, or apparition; 
supposing it impossible for a man to walk on water. This 
was another miracle, showing His control of the law of 
gravitation. 

29 He walked upon the tuater; upheld by the power of His 
Master. 

30 But seeino the wind; the effects of the wind as seen in 
the rolling waves. 



31 Wliy did you doubt f ; why did you doubt My power to 
support you. 

32 Thou art God's Son; a confession that He was the 
promised Messiah. 

33 Gennesaret; located on the north-western side of the 
sea of Galilee— a place defined as " Princes' Garden. " There 
was a lake Gennesaret also, (see Luke 5:1), probably identi- 
cal with the sea of Galilee. 

35 Recoanizing Him; as One Who was healing the people 
wherever He went. Brought to Sim all who were sick; this 
was the sensible thing to do. 

36 That they might only touch Vie border of His garment; 
they had probably heard of the woman who touched His 
garment as recorded in ch. 9:20-22. 

37 Were made tUorougidy well: were thoroughly sotJed— 
referring here, as frequently elsewhere, to physical healing. 



CHAPTEE XV. 

EATING WITH UNWASHED HANDS. 

1 Then there come to Jesus, from Jeru- 
salem, Pharisees and scribes, saying, 2 
"Why do Thy disciples transgress the tra- 
dition of the elders? for they do not wash 
their hands, when they eat bread ! " 3 And 
He, answering, said to them, " Why do ye 
also transgress the commandment of God 
because of your tradition? 4 For God 
said, ' Honor your father and your mother, ' 
and 'He that speaks evil of father or 



mother, let him surely die, ' ^ 5 But ye say, 
'Whosoever shall say to Ms father or his 
mother, 'That by which you might be 
profited by me is an offering,' 6 shall in 
no wise honor his father ; and ye made void 
the word of God because of your tradition. 
7 Hypocrites ! Well did Isaiah prophesy of 
you, saying, 8 'This people honor Me 
with their lips, but their heart is far from 
Me. 9 But in vain do they worship Me, 
teaching as doctrines the commandments 
of men.'" 
10 And, having called the multitude 



Gr. By death let him die. 



NOTES ON CHAPTER XV. 

2 Tradition; something handed by word of mouth from 
generation to generation ; but emanating from men. These 
were often regarded as of more importance than the com- 
mands of God. 

3 Transgress the commandment of God; Ex. 20:12. The 
Pharisees and scribes encouraged men to neglect their par- 
ents, if they themselves might get what the parents ought 

to have had. 



5 That by which; means that would support you. Is an 
offering; an offering to God. Thus by diverting the means 
in the hands of the children from the support of parents, 
they annulled the commandment of God. 

6 Shall in no wise honor his father; meaning that one 
who devotes to religious purposes that which is due to the 
support of one's parents, is discharged from obligation to 
support them I 

9 Teaching as doctrines the commandments of men; adopt- 
ing human traditions instead of God's word. 



MATTHEW 



2T 



near, Ho said to them, " Hear, and vmdor- 
stand : 11 Not that which enters into the 
mouth de tiles the man ; but that_ wliich 
proceeds out of the mouth — this defiles the 
man." 

12 Then, His disciples, coming near, say 
to Him, " Knowest Thou that the Pharisees, 
having heard the saying, were made to 
stumble?" 

13 But He, answering, said, "Every 
plant which My Heavenly Father did not 
plant shall be rooted up. 14 Let them 
alone ; they are blind guides ; and if a 
blind man be guiding a blind man, both 
will fall into a pit." 

15 And Peter, answering, said to Him, 
"Explain to us the parable." 

16 And He said, " Are ye also even yet 
without understanding? 17 Do ye not 
perceive that whatever goes into the mouth 
passes into the belly, and is cast forth into 
the drain? 18 But the things that proceed 
out of the mouth come forth out of the 
heart ; and these defile the man. 19 For 
out of the heart come forth evil thoughts, 
murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, 
false- witnessings, blasphemies: 20 these 
are the things which defile the man, but to 
eat with unwashed hands does not defile 
the man." 

THE CANAANITISH WOMAN's DAUGHTER 
HEAXED. 

21 And, going forth thence, Jesus with- 
drew into the parts of Tyre and Sidon. 22 
And, behold, a Canaanitish woman, having 
come forth out of those borders, cried out, 
saying, " Have mercy on me, O Lord, Son 



of David ; my daughter is grievously vexed 
with a demon ! " 23 But He answered her 
not a word. And His disciples, coming 
near, were beseeching Him, saying, " Send 
her awaj^ ; for she is crying after us ! " 

24 But He, answering, said, " I was not 
sent, except to the lost sheep of the house 
of Israel." 

25 But she, coming, was worshiping 
Him, saying, " Lord, help me ! " 

26 And He, answering, said, "It is not 
good to take the children's bread and cast 
it to the little dogs." 

27 But she said, " Yes, Lord ; for even 
the little dogs eat of the crumbs falling 
from the master's table." 

28 Then Jesus, answering, said to her, 
" O woman, great is your faith ! be it done 
to you as you wish." And her daughter 
was healed from that hour. 

MANY PEOPLE HEALED. 

29 And, departing thence, Jesus came 
near to the sea of GraUlee ; and, going up 
into the mountain. He was sitting there. 

30 And there came to Him great multi- 
tudes, having with them the lame, blind, 
dumb, maimed, and many others; and they 
cast them at His feet, and He healed them; 

31 so that the multitudes wondered, seeing 
the dumb speaking, maimed whole, and 
lame walking, and blind seeing ; and they 
glorified the God of Israel. 

rOUK THOUSAND PEOPLE MIRACULOUSLY 
FED, 

32 And Jesus, having called His disciples 
near, said, " I have compassion on the mul- 
titude, because they continue with Me now 



11 Not that; it is not found that what a man eats defiles 
liim, but false doctrines and a corrupt life defile tiim. 

13 Every plant; every false teacher, or false system, 
such as the Pharisees and scribes were. Booted up; will be 
utterly overthrown. All false teachers and evil systems of 
doctrine will be destroyed. 

14 Let them alone; have nothing to do with them. 

15 Explain to us the parable; we often marvel at the 
■dullness of the apostles; but we were no brighter than they 
were, until the Spirit gave us an understanding of the 
word. They were brighter and quicker after Pentecost. 

21 The parts of Tyre and Sidon; Sidonia, or Phoenicia, 
north of Palestine, on the Mediterranean coast. Sidon was 
the earlier, and Tyre the later, emporium of this country. 

22 A Canaanitish woman; the Zidonians having de- 
scended from Canaan, (Gen. 10:15). Mark calls her a Greek. 
(Mark 7:26). My daughter is grievously vexed with a demon; 
indicating how thoroughly she was controlled by a demon. 

23 Send her away; whether with the granting of her re- 
quest, or without it. They did not like her crying. They 
seem to have been more interested in their own comfort, 
than in her welfare. 



24 I was not sent ; referring to the fact that the Jews or 
Israelites were to have the Gospel before it was given to 
the gentiles, (see ch. 10:6). 

26 Not good; not proper, or fitting. Children's bread; 
that which was designed first for the Jews. Dogs; gentiles, 
as the Jews called them. Jesus said this to draw out her 
true character. 

27 Even the little dogs; classing herself with the "pup- 
pies." Eat of the crumbs; without robbing the children. 
As much as to say, " I do not wish at all to rob the chil- 
dren; but, as a little dog, I claim the right to eat of the 
crumbs that fall from my Master's table. " 

28 £e it done to you as you wish; your request is granted. 
The demon has gone out of your daughter. 

30 Maimed; such as had lost a hand or foot. Cast them; 
indicating haste. They wished to make the most of their 
opportunity. Se healed them; He never failed to heal, 
when the conditions were met. 

32 lam not willing to send them away fasting; the ten- 
der compassion of Jesus, in this case, as when He fed the 
five thousand men, led Him to feed them with provisions 
miraculously supplied. 



28 



MATTHEW 



throe days, and have nothing to eat ; and I 
am not willing to send them away fasting, 
lest haply they faint in the way." 

33 And His disciples say to Him, 
" Whence should we, in a wilderness, have 
so many loaves as to satisfy so great a 
multitude?" 

34 And Jesus saith to them, " How many 
loaves have ye?" And they said, "Seven, 
and a few little fishes." 

35 And, having commanded the multi- 
tude to recline on the ground, 36 He took 



tlie seven loaves and the fishes; giving 
thanks. He broke, and was giving to the 
disciples; and the disciples to the multi- 
tudes. 37 And they all ate, and were 
satisfied;^ and they took up what was over 
of the pieces seven baskets full ; 38 and 
those eating were four thousand men, be- 
sides women and children. 39 And, dis- 
missing the multitudes. He went up into 
the boat," and came into the borders of 
Magadan. 



37 Seven baskets full; there were fewer baskets full of 
fragments in this case, than there were (seech. 14:17-21). 
when there wore only " five loaves. " These two miracles 



prove demonstrably that there was no fixed, law of multi- 
plying the loaves and fishes, but it was simply multiplied 
according to the need of the occasion. 



CHAPTER XVI. 

A SIGN KEFUSED. 

1 And the Pharisees and Sadducees, 
coming near, tempting Him^ asked Him 
to show them a sign from the heaven ; 2 
and He, answering, said to them, "When 
it is evening, ye say, ' It will he fair, for 
the heaven is red ;' 3 and in the morning, 
'To-day, a tempest; for red is the overcast* 
heaven.' The face of the heaven, indeed, 
ye know how to discern, but the signs of 
the times ye can not discern. 4 An evil 
and adulterous generation is seeking after 
a sign ; and no sign will be given to it, ex- 
cept the sign of Jonah the prophet." And, 
leaving them. He departed. 

BEWAEE OF THE LEAVEN. 

5 And His disciples, coming to the other 
side, forgot to take bread. 6 And Jesus 
said to them, "Take heed, and beware of 
the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees." 
7 And they were deliberating among them- 
selves, saying, "We took no bread." 

8 And Jesus, knowing it, said, "Why 
are ye deliberating among yourselves? O 
ye of little faith, because ye have no bread? 
9 Do ye not yet perceive, nor remember 



1 Or. gloomy. 



the five loaves of the five thousand, and 
how many baskets ye took wp? 10 Nor 
the seven loaves of the four thousand, and 
how many baskets ye took up ? 11 How 
is it that ye do not percieve that I spake 
not to you concerning bread? but beware 
of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sad- 
ducees?" 

12 Then they understood that He did not 
bid them beware of the leaven of the bread, 
but of the teaching of the Pharisees and 
Sadducees. 

13 And Jesus, having come into the 
parts of Csesarea Philippi, was asking His 
disciples, saying, "Who do men say that 
the Son of Man is?" ^^ 

14 And they said, "Some say John the 
Immerser; and others, Elijah; and others 
Jeremiah, or one of the prophets." 15 
And He saith to them, "But who do ye 
say that I am?" 

PETER'S CONFESSION. 

16 And Simon Peter, answering, said, 
"Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living 
God." 

17 And Jesus, answering, said to him, 
Happy are you, Simon Bar-Jonah; be- 
cause flesh and blood did not reveal it to 
you, but JNIy Father Who is in Heaven. 



NOTES ON CHAPTEB XVI. 
1 Tempting; trying, or testing Him; hoping to get 
something against Him, or to have their curiosity grati- 
fied by witnessing some nairacle. 

3 The face of the heaven; the forecast of the weather. 
The signs of the times; these were numerous, and far more 
convincing than the weather signs upon which they re- 
lied so confidently. John had come as the promised mes- 
senger of the Messiah, (Mai. 3:1); as the forerunner of 
Christ, (Isa. 40:3) ; the many miracles He had done, etc. 

4 The sign of the, prophet Jonah; as Jonah had been 
three days and three nights in the belly of the great fish. 



so Jesus would he in the earth. But this sign they were 
as unwilling to accept as any other; and so, failing to use 
their light, they soon had nothing but darkness. 

6 The leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees; their 
poisonous teachings, (v. 12). . 

14-16 The different conjectures of the people, as to who 
Jesus was, prove that the belief was common among the 
Jews, that one person might live in different bodies. This 
is not different from the transmigration belief of the an- 
cient Greeks and Romans; and is not unlike that of mod- 
ern theosophy. 

Bar-Jonah; son of Jonah. Sar is a Syriac word for 
son. 



ISIATTHEW 



18 And I also say to you, tliat you are 
Peter," and upon this rock'' I will build My 
assembly, and the gates of Hades shall not 
prevail against it. 19 I will give you the 
keys of the Kingdom of Heaven; and what- 
soever you shall bind on the earth shall be 
bound in Heaven, and whatsoever you 
shall loose on the earth shall be loosed in 
Heaven." 

20 Then He charged the disciples that 
they should tell no one that He was the 
Christ. 

HIS DEATH FORETOLD. 

21 From that time began Jesus to show 
to His disciples, that He must go to Jeru- 
salem, and suffer many things from the 
elders and high-priests and scribes, and be 
killed, and on the third day be raised up. 
22 And Peter, taking Him aside, began to 
rebuke Him, saying, " God he merciful to 
Thee! tliis shall not be to Thee." 23 But, 



turning. He said to Peter, "Get behind 
Me, Satan! you are a stumbling-block to 
Me; because you are not thinldng of the 
things of God, but the things of men." 

24 Then said Jesus to His disciples, "If 
any one wishes to come after Me, let him 
disown* himself, and take up his cross, and 
follow Me; 25 for whosoever wishes to 
save his soul° shall lose it, and whosoever 
shall lose his souF for My sake shall find 
it; 26 for what will a man be profited, if 
he gain the whole world, and suffer dam- 
age as to his soul?*^ or what will a man 
give as an exchange for his soul \ ^ 27 For 
the Son of Man is about to come in the 
glory of His Father with His angels, and 
then will He render to each one according 
to his work." 28 Verily I say to you, 
there are some of those standing here, who 
will not taste of death, till they see the 
Son of Man coming in His Kingdom." 



2 Gr. Petros, a stone detached. 
rock. 



Gr. Petra, a fixed 



Or, uttej'ly deny. 
Or, practice. 



5. Gr. Psuche is soul; Zoee is life. 



18 Taw are Peier; Pctros is a detacbed stone, a small 
Toek. wiiich. one might toss about -with, his hand. Upon 
this rod; Petra, a fixed, stable rock; and it was upon 
this, and not upon the Petro, or Peter, that Christ built 
His assembly. The petra probably refers to the great 
truth in Peter's confession. "Thou art the Christ." The 
conf ossion of Christ, as the Messiah, superinduced in be- 
lievers by the Holy Spirit, to whom also Christ has be- 
come a saving- Reality, is that which binds one in the 
groat assembly of God, and makes him a lively stone in 
this great building, (I Pet. 2:5) ; and it is one of the chief 
things that entitles one to membership in a local assembly 
of Christ. Gates of Hades; possibly having reference to 
the resistance that the grave offers to the living again of 
those who have entered its realm. If so, this statement 
would refer to the resurrection of Christ's body from the 
grave; for He is the essence of the petra. Shall not pre- 
vail against it; shall not keep His body from rising; or, if 
the pronoun it refers to ecclesia, then the meaning is alto- 
gether different, and the words are a prophecy relating to 
the indestructibility of the assembly. The word ecclesia, 
in this connection, evidently refers to the larger use of the 
word, to denote all the saved, rather than a local congre- 
gation of believers. The larger ecclesia will not be com- 
plete till all true believers are safe in Heaven. 

19 The keys of the Kingdom of Heaven; symbols of 
power and authority. If this included the Gospel, then 
Peter used the keys very successfully on the day of Pente- 
cost, (see Acts 2:41; 4:4). Bind . . . lofse; this same au- 
thority was bestowed upon all the apostles and disciples 
generally, (see ch. 18:18). This power seems to have been 
bestowed upon the apostles, to settle all questions con- 
cerning gentile converts, (see Acts 11:1-18; 15:1-29); butit 
ceased, when the apostles disappeared; but in a lower 
sense it continues with all true assemblies, pastors, and 
teachers. 



20 Tell no one; it was needful for Christ to die, to put 
away sin (Heb. 9:26), and to rise again, before He could be 
proclaimed as the Messiah, in the fullest sense, (see Isa. 
53:4. 5, 6, 10, 12). 

23 Gud be merciful to Thee; God spare Thee from such a 
fate I This shall not be to Thee; you shall not die in any 
such manner I How blind the disciples were till Pente- 
cost I 

23 Get behind Me, Satan; Christ recognized Satan as the 
author of Peter's strong protest. The Devil is ready to 
use even a good man to carry out his purposes. 

24 Disown himself; the self-life must be set aside. 
Take up his cross; the instrument of self-death; and fol- 
low Me; in My life of self-denial, living for the benefit of 
others, and to glorify God. 

25 Wliosoever will save . . . will lose; whosoever will 
spare his self-life will lose his Christ-life. And whoso- 
ever will lose his self-life for Christ's sake shall secure the 
Christ-life or eternal life. The word soul is nearly equiv- 
alent here to the self-life, that is, the natural life. The 
self-life and the Christ-life in the believer are sharp an- 
tagonists ; and, if the Christ-life is to gain complete as- 
cendancy, the cross must prove effectual in the death of 
the other. Thus we die, to live, (John 12:24; Gal. 2:20; 
II Cor. 4:10, 11). 

26 What will a man he profited; no amount of earthly 
gain Ct«n compensate for the loss of one's eternal interest. 
^Is an exchange; there will be no possible chance for one to 
repair the losses done himself. 

27 The Son of Man is dhout to come; this is His second 
coming to destroy His enemies, and establish His Millen- 
nial reign, (see Zech. 14:4-21; Rev. 19:11-21; Rev. 20:1-4; 
ch. 25:31-46). 

28 Not taste of death; not die. Till they see the Son of 
Mancoming; see ch. 17:1-8. Some think that reference is 
here had to the destruction of Jerusalem. 



CHAPTER XVH. 

THE TRANSFIGUKATION. 

1 And, after six days, Jesus taketh with 



Him Peter, and James, and John his brother, 
and bringeth them up into a high mountain 
apart; 2 and He was transfigured before 



MATTHEW 



them; and His face shone as the sun,_ and 
His garments became white as the "light. 
3 And, behold, there appeared to them 
Moses and Elijah talking with Him. 4 
And Peter, answering, said to Jesus," Lord, 
it is good that we are here. If Thou wilt, 
I will make here three tents — one for Thee, 
and one for Moses, and one for Elijah." 

5 While he was yet speaking, behold, a 
bright cloud overshadowed them. And, 
behold, a voice out of the cloud, saying, 
" This is My beloved Son, in Whom I de- 
lighted; hear Him." 

6 And the disciples, hearing it, fell on 
their face, and were exceedingly afraid. 
7 And Jesus came near, and, touching 
them, said, "Arise, and be not afraid." 8 
And lifting up their eyes, they saw no one, 
except Jesus only. 9 And, as they were 
coming down out of the mountain, Jesus 
commanded them, saying, " Tell the vision 
to no one, until the Son of Man be raised 
from among the dead." 

10 And His disciples asked Him, saying, 
" Why, then, do the scribes say that Elijah 
must come first? " 11 And He, answering, 
said, " Elijah, indeed, comes, and will re- 
store all things; 12 but I say to you that 
EUjah already came, and they recognized 
him not, but did with him whatsoever they 
wished : so also the Son of Man is about to 
suffer by them." 

13 Then the disciples understood that 



He spake to them concerning John the Im- 
merser. 

JESUS HEALS ONE WHOM THE DISCIPLES 
COULD NOT HEAL. 

14: And, when they came to the multi- 
tude, there approached Him a man, kneel- 
ing to Him, and saying, 15 " Lord, have 
mercy on my son, because he is lunatic,^ 
and suffers grievously; for often he falls 
into the fire, and often into the water. 16 
And I brought him to Thy disciples, and 
they could not heal him." 

17 And Jesus, answering, said, " O faith- 
less and perverted generation! How long 
shall I be with you? Bring him here to 
Me." 18 And Jesus rebuked it, and the 
demon went out of him, and the boy was 
healed from that hour. 

19 Then the disciples, coming near, said 
to Jesus privately, "Why could not we 
cast it out?" 

20 And He saith to them, " Because of 
your little faith. For verily I say to you, 
if ye have faith as a grain, of mustard 
seed, ye shall say to this mountain, ' Re- 
move hence yonder,' and it will be re- 
moved, and nothing shall be impossible to 
you." [21 "But this kind goes not out, 
except by prayer and fasting."]* 

FOEETELLS HIS DEATH AGAIN. 

22 And, while they were assembled to- 



l Or. epileptic. 

•^ Verse 21 is omitted from best Mss. 



l^OTES ON CHAPTER XVII. 

2 He was transfigured; chang-ed in appearance. His gar- 
ments were white as the light; resplendant with divine glory. 

3 Moses and EUjah; the representatives of the law and 
the prophets. The law and the prophets pointed to Christ ; 
and now their representatives have come to confer with 
Christ, who had come to fulfill both. 

4 Three tents ; temporary abodes, covered either with 
cloth or with boughs of trees. Dazed with the glory, Peter 
knew not what he said, (Mark 9:6; Luke 9:33). 

5 In Wliom I delighted; this is the true translation. It 
may not be easy to see, at all times, just the significance of 
the aorist tense. Here it may refer to the spontaneous de- 
light of the Father at the ready obedience of His Son, and 
especially at His readiness to lay down His life, concern- 
ing which Moses and Elijah were sent to consult with Him. 

8 Except Jesus only; Moses and Elijah must give place, 
as teachers, to Jesus Christ. 

9 The vision; what occurred on the mount. Be raised; 
after His resurrection they would be permitted to speak of 
it, (II Peter 1:16, 17), 

10 Come first; before the Messiah. They likely referred 
to Mai. 3:1-3, taken literally. Jesus taught them that this 
prophecy was fulfilled in John the Immerser, (see ch. 
11:13, 14; Luke 1:16, 17). 

U Bestore all things; set them in order, and bring the 
I)eople to a state of preparation to receive the Messiah. 



Some see universal salvation in this work of Elijah; but, 
rightly understood, this Scripture has no such meaning. 
Possibly Elijah may be one of the two witnesses (Rev. 11) ; 
and, if so, he may strengthen the Jewish people with his 
testimony. 

14 He is lunatic; afSicted, or insane, at certain stages of 
the moon. Here, as shown by the context, an epilepticis^ 
brought to view. 

15 Ealls into the fire . . . into the water; the demon. 
sought thus to destroy the life of the boy. 

- 16 Tkej/ could not heal him; the disciples, who had 
healed many, failed in this case. Why did they fail, see- 
ing that He had given them power and authority over all. 
demons, (Luke 9:1)? 

17 faithless and perverted generation; this rebuke 
would seem unmerited, if the disciples had utilized all 
their power to cast out the demon— i. «., the power He had. 
bestowed upon them. 

18 Jesus rebuked it; rebuked the demon. Went forth 
from the man; no demon can withstand the power of 
Jesus. 

20 Because of your little faith; here is the reason of 
their failure. And the same is true now. 

21 [This kind goes not out, except by prayer and fasting ] ,- 
this would, if it were genuine, help to solve the diffloultv 



MATTHEW 



31 



gether in Galilee, Jesus said to them, " The 
Son of Man is about to be delivered into 
the hands of men; 23 and they will kill 
Him, and on the third day He will be 
raised up." And they were grieved ex- 
ceedingly. 

A FISH SUPPLIES MONEY FOR TEIBUTE. 

24: And, when they came into Caper- 
naum, those receiving the half-shekel came 
to Peter, and said, " Doth not your Teacher 
pay the half -shekel ? " 25 He says, ' ' Yes. ' ' 
And Jesus anticipated him as he came into 



the house, saying, "What do you think, 
Simon? the kings of tlie earth, f rom wiiom 
do they receive tax or tribute? from tlieir 
sons, or from the aliens?" 26 And, when 
he said, "From the aliens," Josus said to 
him, "Consequently the sons are free; 27 
but, that we may not cause them to stumble; 
having gone to the sea, cast a hook, and 
take uptlie fish first coming up; and, open- 
ing its mouth, you will find a shekel;'^ tak- 
ing that, give it to them for INIe and you." 



2 Gr. Stater. 



23 Wci'e grieved exceedingly; at the sad fate awaiting 
their Master. Peter utters no remonstrance on this occa- 
sion. 

24 Receiving the half-shekel; an annual tax paid to sup- 
port public service In the temple, amounting to about' half 
a shekel, or about twenty-five cents in money of the 
United States. 

25 The aliens; persons not native born, but foreigners 
or strangers. 



26 The sons are free; from the obligation to pay the 
tax. Applying it to Himself, it is implied that He is the 
Son of the Eternal King, for Whose benefit the tax is lev- 
led, and therefore He is exempt from paying it. 

27 A shekel; or stater, worth about fifty cents of the 
money of the United States. This was sufficient to pay the 
tax of the two. This miracle displayed the omniscience of 
Jesus, and showed His complete power over the creatures 
of His hands. 



CHAPTER XVHI. 

LITTLE ONES NOT TO BE MADE TO STUMBLE. 

1 At that time the disciples came near 
to Jesus, saying, "Who then is greatest^ 
in the Kingdom of Heaven?" 

2 And, having called a little child to 
Him, He placed it in the midst of them, 
3 and said, " Verily I say to you, except ye 
be converted, and become as little chil- 
dren, ye shall in no wise enter into the 
Kingdom of Heaven. 4 Whosoever, there- 
fore, shall humble himself as this little 
child, he is greatest^ in the Kingdom of 
Heaven. 6 And whosoever receives one 
such little child in^ My name, receives 
Me. 6 But whosoever causes one of these 
little ones who believe in Me to stumble, 
it is profitable for him that a large mill- 



stone^ be hanged about his neck, and he 
be sunk in the depth of the sea. 

7 " Woe to the world because of stumb- 
ling-blocks! for there is a necessity that 
the stumbling-blocks come; but woe to the 
man through whom the stumbling-block 
comes ! 

8 "And, if your hand or your foot 
causes you to stumble, cut it off, and cast 
it from you; it is good for you to enter 
into life maimed or lame, rather than hav- 
ing two hands or two feet to be cast into 
the eternal fire. 

9 "And, if your eye causes you to 
stumble, pluck it out, and cast it from 
you; it is good for you to enter into life 
with one eye, rather than having two eyes 
to be cast into the Hell* of fire. 

10 " See that ye despise not one of these 



1 Gr. Greater; i. e., greater than any other. Hence, 
greatest. 2 Gr. Upon. 



3 Gr. For an ass. 

4 Gr. Gehenna. 



NOTES ON CHAPTER XVIII. 

1 Greatest ; in the Kingdom which they expected Him to 
set up. 

2 A little child; correcting their false notion of great- 
ness, and also their erroneous conceptions of His Kingdom ; 
and showing that spirituality is the essential idea in the 
Kingdom of Heaven. 

3 Converted; changed in views and character. As little 
children; humble, obedient, docile. 

4 Shall humble himself; become child-like, simple, and 
self-forgetful. This, in an adult, implies the acceptance of 
Christ as one's Saviour, Life, and Model. 

5 Receives one sucli^- probably referring to a man who is 
truly converted, and has become as a little child. In My 
name; because of love to Me. Beceives Me; in the person of 
this Christly one; Christ regarding any kindness done to 
His disciples as done to Himself, (ch. 25:41). 



6 Causes one of these little ones to stumble; to sin, or to- 
fall from his integrity as a believer. A large millstone; or 
a millstone turned by an ass— hence a large one, as com- 
pared with one turned by hand. 

7 Woe to the world; terrible evils will befall the world. 
There is a necessity : such is the wickedness of men. and the 
power of Satan I 

8, 9 Hand . . . foot . . . eye; one's dearest possessions, or 
most valued relations. All these must be given up rather 
than that, through their influence, we should sin ourselves, 
or cause others to sin. (See note on ch. 5:29, 30). Cast into 
the eternal fire; into the lake burning with fire and brim- 
stone, (see Rev. 19:20; 20:10). 

9 Hell of fire; same as above; meaningaplace where the 
wicked are punished after the judgment. 

10 Despise not one of these little ones; to mistreat the 
least of God's children, is a great offense against God, (see 



32 



MATTHEW 



little ones; for I say to you, that their 
angels in Heaven do always behold the 
face of My Father Who in in Heaven. 

[11 ''For the Son of Man came to save 
that which was lost."]* 

12 " What think ye? If a hundred sheep 
biilong to a certain man, and one of them 
goes astray, will he not leave the ninety 
and nine on the mountains, and, going, 
seek the straying one? 13 And, if it hap- 
pen that he find it, verily I say to you, he 
rejoices over it more than over the ninety 
and nine that have not gone astray. 14 
In like manner it is not the will of your 
Father Who is in Heaven, that one of 
these little ones should perish. 

HOW TO TREAT AN OFFENDING BEOTHER. 

15 "And, if your brother sin against 
you, go show him his fault between you 
and him alone. If he hear you, you 
gained your brother; 16 but, if he hear 
yoit not, take with you yet one or two, 
that at the mouth ^ of two witnesses or 
three, every word may be estabhshed. 
17 And, if he disregard them, tell it to 
the assembly; and, if he disregard the as- 
sembly also, let him be to you as the gen- 
tile and the tax-collector. 18 Verily, I 
say to you, whatsoever ye bind upon the 
earth shall be bound in Heaven, and what- 
soever ye loose on the earth shall be loosed 
in Heaven. 

19 " Again, I say to you, that, if two of 
you shall agree on the earth concerning 
any matter which ye ask, it shall be done 
for them by My Father Who is in Heaven; 
20 for where two or three are gathered 



together in My name, there am I in the 
midst of them. ' ' 

21 Then Peter, coming near, said to 
Him, " Lord, how often shall my brother 
sin against me, and I forgive him? till 
seven times?" 

22 Jesus saith to him, "I say not to 
you, 'till seven times,' but till seventy 
times seven, 23 Therefore, the Kingdom 
of Heaven was likened to a king who 
wished to make a reckoning with his serv-: 
ants. 24 And, when he began to reckon, 
there was brought to him one debtor of 
ten thousand talents; 25 but, as he had 
nothing to pay, his lord commanded that 
he be sold, and his wife, and his children, 
and all that he had, and payment to be 
made. 26 The servant, falling down, 
therefore, was bowing" to him, saying, 
' Lord, have patience with me, and I will 
pay you all.' 27 And, moved with com- 
passion, the lord of that servant released 
him, and forgave him the debt. 28 But, 
going forth, that servant found one of his 
fellow -servants, who was owing him a hun- 
dred denaries; and, having laid hold of 
hlm^ he was choking him, saying, 'Pay, 
if you are owing anything!' 29 His fel- 
low-servant, falling down, therefore, was 
entreating him, saying, 'Have patience 
with me, and I will pay you!' 30 And 
he would not; but, going away, he cast 
him into prison, till he should pay what 
was due. 31 Therefore, his fellow-serv- 
ants, seeing what was done, were exceed- 
ingly grieved; and, going, they made 
known to their lord all that was done. 

32 " Then, calling him to him., his lord 



■ Best Mss. omit ^ 



5 On the testimony. 



6 Or. paying reverence. 



V. 3). Their angels; Heb. 1:14. Always hehold the face of 
My Father; how dear, then, must these little ones be to 
God, since He has provided angels to look after them! 

13 Jiejoices more; so God rejoices, when one sinner re- 
pents, and comes into His fold. All true Christians rejoice, 
when sinners are born into the Kingdom of God, and back- 
sliders come back to the fold. 

15 Show him his fault; by Idndly laying the matter be- 
fore him. You gained your brother ; won him from a wrong 
course, and to the cause of righteousness. 

16 May be established; or proved by the witnesses taken 
along, (Deut. 19:15). 

17 As a gentile or tax-collector; have nothing to do with 
him as a Christian, since he has refused to show the spirit 
of Christ; and the presumption is that "he is none of His," 
(Rom. 8:9). This does not mean that an offender is to be 
mistreated, but simply not treated as a Christian. If all 
Christians would act thus towards professed Christians 
who give offense, it would " nip many a quarrel in the bud. " 



18 Ye shall bind . . . I.msc; God ratifies in Heaven the 
righteous disoiplinar.y acts of His disciiiles, acting as an 
assembly. The honor that seemed to be conferred on Petes 
(ch. 16:19), is here conferred on all, generally, as an assem- 
bly. 

19 Any matter which ye ask: anything according to God's 
will, (IJoha5:14, 15). 

20 In My name; under My authority, with My sanction. 
In the midst; Jesus Christ Is present with His people, to 
hear and bless. 

22 Till seventy ti?nes seven; an indefinite number of times. 
We dare not refuse to forgive one who repents. 

23 The Kingdom . . . was likened; in its principles of 
government. 

24 One debtor of ten thousand talents; meaning an indefi- 
nitely large sum, which he was wholly unable to pay, (see 
Appendix— Talent). 

25 Commandedthat he be sold; it was customary for a 
man and his whole family to be sold, to pay indebtedness. 

28 A hundred denaries; a trifling amount compared with 
the ten thousand talents. 



MATTHEW 



33 



says to him, 'Evil servant! I forgave you 
all that debt, becatise you besought me. 
33 Should you not also have had mercy 



livered him to the tormentors, until he 
should pay all the debt, 35 So also will 
My Heavenly Father do to you, if ye for- 



on your fellow-servant, as I had mercy on give not, each one his brother, from your 
you?' 31 And, being angry, his lord de- hearts." 



34 To the tormentors: those who had authority to ex- 
amine and punish prisoners, to make them confess, etc. 

35 Do to you; God wiU punish us. if we do not forgive 
others. "Whoever -sviU not forgive another ma!;cs it impos- 



sible for God to forgive him. From your heart; we dare 
not cherish an unforgiving spirit towards another, even 
though the offender should make no confession; but we 
need not tell one we forgive him. till he makes confession. 



CHAPTER XIX. 

CONCEKNING DIV^ORCE. 

1 And it came to pass that, when Jesus 
finished these words. He departed from 
Gralilee, and came into the borders of Ju- 
daea, beyond the Jordan. 2 And large 
multitudes followed Him; and He healed 
them there. 

3 And the Pharisees came to Him, 
tempting Him, and saying, "Is it lawful 
for a man to put away his wife for every 
cause?" 4 And He, answering, said, 
"Did you not read that He Who made 
them from the beginning made them 
'male and female.' 5 and said, 'For this 
cause a man shall leave his father and 
mother, and shall cleave to his wife, and 
the two shall be one flesh? '^ 6 so that 
they are no longer two, but one flesh. 
What, therefore, God joined together, let 
not man put asunder." 

7 They say to Him, "TSTay, then, did 
Moses command to give her a bill of di- 
vorcement, and to put A(?r away?" 8 He 
saith to them, " INIoses, in view of the hard- 
Qess of your heart, permitted you to put 
away your wives; but from the beginning 
it has not been so. 9 And I sa^^ to you, 
that whosoever shall put away his wife, 
except for fornication, and shall marry an- 
other, commits adultery." 



10 The disciples say to Him, " If the case 
of the man is thus, it is not expedient to 
marry." 

11 But He said to them, " Not all can 
receive this saying, but those to whom it 
has been given; 12 for there are eunuchs 
who were so born from their mother's 
womb; and there are eunuchs who were 
made eunuchs by men; and there are 
eunuchs who made themselves eunuchs for 
the sake of the Kingdom of Heaven. He 
who is able to receive it, let him receive 
it." 

CHILDREN BROUGHT TO JESUS. 

13 Then were brought to Him little 
children, that He might put Hin hands on 
them, and pray; and the disciples rebuked 
them. 14 But Jesus said, "Permit the 
little children — and do not forbid them — 
to come to Me; for of such is the King- 
dom of Heaven." 15 And, having laid ,9?s 
hands on them, He departed thence. 

A RICH EUI.ER. " ViTE LEFT ALL." TWELVE 
THROXES. 

16 And, behold, one, having come near, 
said to Him, " Teache.r, what good thing 
shall I do, that I may have eternal life?" 
17 And He said to him, "Why do you 
question Me concerning the good? One 
is the Grood. But, if you wish to enter 
into life, keep the commandments." 18 
He says to Him, "Which?" And Jesus 



NOTES ON CHAPTER XIX. 

1 Beyond the Jordan: on the east side of the river. 

3 Tempting Ulra: h3i:iingto ensnare Him. and get Him 
into difficulty. For cc(rtj cause: or whenever he chooses. 

-t Didyem.t real: Gen. 1:27. 

5 Shall be one flesh: united so as to be oiis, each be a 
part of the other. (Eph. 5:38). Such a union as this should 
not be lightly dissolved. 

7 AVni of divorcement: Deut. 24:1. 

8 Permitted: did not order it. but. because of their per- 
Tcrseness. suffered it. God permitted the Israelites to 
have a king, but He did not approveit as the best thing for 
tiiem. Kot so: this matter of divorce was not contemplated 
in the marriage relation itself. 

9 On, the ground of fornication: here it means adultery. 

10 If the case of the man is thus; if a man must cling to 



^is wife anyway, regardless of her unamiability. etc. Jfot 
expedient: under such conditions. 

11 IS'ot all can receive this sayina; that it is not expedient 
to marry. Has been given; some can live comfortably and 
happily without marriage, others not. 

13 Were so horn; as to be unfit for marriage. Made 
eunuchs iy men; fOr their own ungodly purposes. Made 
themselves eunuchs: voluntarily abstained from marriage, 
that they might the better serve God. 

13 Were brought; parents or nurses brought the little 
children to Him. Jesus loved little children. Luke calls 
them infants, (Luke 18:15); He blessed them. (Markl8:16). 

17 Concerninff the good; the good that you may do to ob- 
tain eternal life. Oneisthe Good; or the Good One; mean- 
ing God. The young man had addressed Jesus as a human 
teacher. 



34 



MATTHEW 



said, "You shall not kill; you shall not 
commit adultery, you shall not steal; you 
shall not bear false witness; 19 honor 
your father and your mother; you shall 
love your neighbor as yourself." 

20 The young man says to Him, " I ob- 
served all these things; vphat yet do I lack ? " 
21 Jesus said to him, " If you wish to be 
perfect, go, sell what you have, and give 
to the poor, and you shall have treasure 
in Heaven; and come, follow Me." 22 
But the young man, having heard this say- 
ing, went away grieved; for he was one 
who had large possessions. 

23 And Jesus said to His disciples, 
" Verily I say to you, that with difficulty 
shall a rich man enter into the Kingdom 
of Heaven. 24 And again I say to you. 
It is easier for a camel to go through the 
eye of a needle than for a rich man to en- 
ter into the Kingdom of God." 



25 And the disciples, having heard it^ 
were amazed exceedingly, saying, " Who» 
then, can be saved?" 

26 But Jesus, looking on them^^ said to 
them, "With men this is impossible, but 
with God all things are possible." 

27 Then Peter, answering, said to Him, 
"Behold, we left all, and followed Thee; 
what, then, shall we have? " 

28 And Jesus said to them, " Verily I 
say to you, that ye who followed Me, in 
the regeneration, when the Son of Man 
shall sit upon the throne of His glory, ye 
also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging 
the twelve tribes of Israel. 29 And every 
one who left houses, or brothers, or sis- 
ters, or father, or mother, or children, or 
lands, for My name's sake, shall receive 
manifold more, and shaill inherit eternal 
life. 30 But many that are first shall be 
last, and last first." 



20 I observed all these tUinos: outwardly only, but not in 
his heart, as the results showed. 

21 Se perfect : have a character that will stand every 
test. Sell what you have, and give to the poor; this was the 
tender point, and the young man drew hack. 

22 Grieved; by this he showed that his heart was cling- 
ing to the world, and hence he was not fit for Heaven. 

23 With, difficulty; the difficulty in the salvation of the 
rich lies in the fact that they are unwilling to part with 
their riches. 

24 It is easier; a proverb denoting extreme difficulty. 

25 Who, then, can be saved?; if one who has kept all these 
commandments that the young man claimed to havekept, 
cannot be saved, who can? 

26 With God all things are possible; God can make the 
rich humble, submissive, and willing to pour all their 
riches into His treasury. 



28 In the regeneration; referring to the time when God 
will make all things new, or bring in the glories of His 
Millennial reign, (Rev." 20:1-4). Judging the twelve tribes of 
Israel; during the Millennial reign, when the Jews will be 
in the front. 

29 Shall receive mamifold more; than he gave up for 
Christ, here in this world. How true this is to those who, 
at God's call, abandon all to Him. How He multiplies 
friends for them! opens homes to themi pours treasures 
into their hands, that they may scatter them among the 
needy I Or. taking Paul's view of it. those who for Christ'a 
sake give up all. and have nothing, are the ones who possess 
all things. (II Cor. 6:10). And inherit eternal life; the lite- 
they get in Christ, (see John 10:10; I John 5:11, 12). 

,30 First, last; first in point of privileges, and last to use 
them. Last, first; last to see the light, but first to embrace 
it. Illustrated in the history of the Jews and the gentiles. 



CHAPTEE XX. 

PAEABLE OF THE LABOEEES. 

1 " For the Kingdom of Heaven is like to 
a man who was a householder, who went 
forth early in the morning to hire laborers 
Into his vineyard; 2 and, having agreed 
with the laborers for a denary a day, he 
sent them into his vineyard. 

3 "And, going forth about the third 
hour, he saw others standing in the market- 
place idle; 4 and to them he said, 'Go ye 
also into the vineyard, and whatsoever is 
right I will give you.' And they went 
away. 

NOTES ON CHAPTER XX. 

1 Lika . . . householder; similar in some of the princi- 
ples by which its final awards will be made. 

2 For a denary a day; about fourteen cents— the price of 
a day's labor at that time. 

3 Third hour; nine o'clock, a. m. 

5 Sixth and ninth hour; noon and three p. m. 



5 "Again, going forth about the sixth 
and the ninth hour, he did likewise. 6 And 
about the eleventh hour, going forth, he 
found others standing, and he says to them, 
' Why stand ye here all the day idle ? ' T 
They say to him, ' Because no man hired 
us.' He says to them, 'Go ye also into 
•the vineyard.' 

8 "And, evening having come, the lord 
of the vineyard says to his steward, 'Call 
the laborers, and pay them the wages, be- 
ginning from the last to the first.' 

9 "And those who were hired about the 
eleventh hour, coming, received, each, a 

6 Eleventh hour; five o'clock, p. m. Why stand ye all the 
day idle; but one hour was left for work. Persons are idle, 
in the highest sense of the word, when they are not en- 
gaged in work for God. 

BEMARKS ON THE PARABLE OF THE VINETABD. 

This _parable presents a number of difficulties, and has 
been variously interpreted. This much seems to be clearly 



MATTHEW 



35 



denary. 10 And the first, coming, sup- 
posed that they would receive more; and 
they also received, each, a denary. 11 
And, having received it^ they murmured 
against the householder, 12 saying, ' These 
last, wrought hut one hour, and you made 
them equal with us, who bore the burden 
of the day and the burning heat I ' 

13 "But he, answering, said to one of 
them, 'Friend, I do you no wrong. Did 
you not agree with me for a denary? 14 
Take up your own, and go. But I will to 
give to the last even as to you: 15 Is it 
not lawful for me to do what I will with 
my own ? Or is your eye evil, because I 
am good?' 16 So the last shall be first, 
and the first last.' 

JESUS FOKETEIxLS HIS SUFFERINGS . 

17 And, when about to go up to Jeru- 
salem, Jesus took with Him the twelve 
disciples privately, and on the way He 
said to them, 18 " Behold, we are going 
up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will 
be delivered to the high-priests and scribes; 
and they will condemn Him to death; 19 
and will deliver Him up to the gentiles, 
to mock, and to scourge, and to crucify ; 
and, on the third day, He will be raised 
up." 

REQUEST FOR ZEBEDEE's SONS. 

20 Then came to Ham the mother of the 
sons of Zebedee with her sons, worshiping 



and asking something of Him. 21 And 
He said to her," What do you wish? " She 
says to Him, " Command, that these my two 
sons may sit, one on Thy right hand, and 
one on Thy left, in Thy Kingdom." 

22 But Jesus, answering, said," Ye know 
not what ye are asking. Are ye able to 
drink the cup that I am about to drink?" 
They say to Him, " We are able."- 23 He 
saith to them, " My cup, indeed, ye shall 
drink ; but to sit on My right hand, and 
on My left, is not Mine to give, but it is 
for those for whom it has been prepared 
by My Father." 

24 And the ten, hearing it^ were much 
displeased with the two brothers. 25 But 
Jesus, calling them near, said, " Ye know 
that the rulers of the nations exercise lord- 
ship over them. 26 Not so shall it be 
among you; 27 but whosoever wishes to 
become great among you shall be your 
minister; and whosoever wishes to be first 
among you shall be your servant; 28 even 
as the Son of Man came not to be minis- 
tered to, but to minister, and to give His 
soul a ransom for many." 

TWO BLIND MEN RECEIVE SIGHT. 

29 And, as they were going forth from 
Jericho, a great multitude followed Him. 
30 And, behold, two blind men, sitting by 
the road, hearing that Jesus was passing 
by, cried, saying, "Lord have mercy on 
us, Thou Son of David!" 31 But the 



on the surface: 1. The longer lahor does not establish an 
unquestionable right to the higher reward; "They all re 
oeived, each, a denary." 2. Neither does it teach that the 
aggregate reward ol every believer will be the same as that 
of every other; for all are to be judged and rewarded ac 
cording to their works, (I Cor. 3:8; II JohnS; ch. 25:21) 
a The parable teaches that God's sovereign will is i 
mighty factor in determining what all but the first group 
of laborers received. 

The immediate interpretation of the different parts of 
the parable seems to be thus : The householder represents 
the Father; the steward, Jesus Christ; the vineyard, 
Christianity as related to the Kingdom of God; the labor- 
ers, different classes of persons connected with the King- 
dom of Heaven; the settlement with the laborers, the 
judgment of Christians; and the deraary— what does it 
represent ? Some think it represents salvation or eternal 
life ; but this is a gift, rather than wages. Some think, too, 
that it represents the Jews as the first in point of oppor- 
tunity, but the last to accept Christ; while the gentiles 
came in ahead of them. 

It seems, however, that all the laborers were regarded as 
in the Kingdom to start with; and that the parable had to 
do with the different classes of laborers in the Vineyard of 
the Lord; some of them working for wages, and others 
leaving it to the Lord to reward them as He might see fit. 

19 Deliver Him up to the gentUes; the Jews, because it 



was not lawful for them to put any one to death, delivered 
Jesus to the Romans, who then held Judsea as a province. 

20 Zebedee's children; James and John. 

21 Command . . . sit . . . on Thy right hand; be Thy 
chief officers. In Thy Kingdom; supposing that it would 
be an earthly kingdom. 

23 7e know not ; thty understood not the nature of His 
Kingdom, nor what was required to take part in it. Ai'e 
ve able to drink the cup?; endure the sufferings that He 
was about to suffer. We are able; they were utterly igno- 
rant of His meaning. 

23 Te shall drink; ye shall have some share in My suf- 
ferings. They would lose their lives as martyrs. 

24 The ten; the other apostles were indignant that two 
of their number should seek to be placed above them. 

26 Jfot so shall it be; in the Kingdom of Christ one is 
not to exercise lordship over another. 

27 Gfreat among you; to be great in His Kingdom one 
must minister to the wants of others, 

28 jSTot to be ministered, to; or served by others, but to 
serve them. 

29 Jericho; a city about eight miles from the Jordan, 
and north-east of Jerusalem. 

31 Rebuked them; ordered them to be silent. Cried the 
more; more loudly and persistently. Those who would 
get blessings from God must persevere in the face of all 
discouragements. 



MATTHEW 



multitude rebuked them, that they should 
be silent. But they cried the more, " Lord, 
have mercy on us, Thou Son of David ! " 

32 And, standing still, Jesus called them, 
and said, " What do you wish that I should 



do to you? " " 33 They say to Him, " Lord, 
that our eyes may be opened." 34 And, 
moved with compassion, Jesus touched 
their eyes, and straightway they received 
sight; and followed Him. 



CHAPTER XXI. 

THE TRIUiMPHAL ENTRY INTO JERUSALEM. 

1 And, when they drew near to Jerusa- 
lem, and came to Bethphage, to the mount 
of Olives, Jesus sent two disciples, 2 
saying to them, "Go into the village over 
against you, and straightway ye will find 
an ass tied, and a colt with her; having 
loosed them, lead them to Me. 3 And, if 
any one say anything to you, ye shall say, 
' The Lord hath need of them; ' and straight- 
way he will send them." 4 Now this has 
come to pass, that it might be fulfilled 
which was spoken through the prophet, 
saying, 5 '' Say to the daughter of Zion, 
' Behold, your King is coming to you, meek 
and mounted upon an ass, and on a colt, a 
foal of a beast of burden.' " 

6 And the disciples, going and doing as 
Jesus commanded them, 7 led the ass and 
the colt, and put upon them their garments ; 
and He sat thereon. 8 And most of the 
multitude spread their own garments in 
the way, and others were cutting branches 
from the trees and spreading them in the 
way. 9 And the multitudes, who were go- 
ing before Him, and those who were fol- 
lowing, were crying, saying, "Hosannato 
the Son of David ! Blessed is He Who 



comoth in the name of the Lord ! Hosanna 
in the highest!" 10 And, when He en- 
tered into Jerusalem, all the city was 
star tied, "^ saying, "Who is this?" 11 And 
the multitudes said, "This is the Prophet, 
Jesus, from Nazareth of Galilee." 

CLEANSES THE TEMPLE. 

12 And Jesus entered into the temple, 
and cast out all those selling and buying in 
the temple, and overturned the tables of 
the money-changers, and the seats of those 
selling the doves. 13 And He saith to 
them, "It has been written, 'My house 
shall be called a house of prayer; ' but ye 
are making it a den of robbers! " 

14 And tlie blind and lame came to Him 
in the temple, and He healed them. 15 
And the high-priests and scribes, seeing 
the wonderful things which He did, and 
the boys who were crying in the temple, 
and saying, "Hosanna to the Son of 
David!" were much displeased, 16 and 
said to Him, "Dost Thou hear what these 
are saying?" And Jesus saith to them, 
"Yes; did ye never read, 'Out of the 
mouth of babes and sucklings Thou didst 
perfect praise ! ' " 17 And, leaving them. 
He went forth out of the city to Bethany, 
and lodged there. 



Gr. Shaken. 



NOTES ON CHAPTER XXI. 

1 Bethphage; a village on the soutli side of the mount of 
Olives, a hill about two miles east of Jerusalem, beyond 
the valley of Jehoshaphat, through which valley ran the 
brool? Kedron. or Kidron. 

2 Loose her ; the ass was bound. 

3 If any say ant/thing; against taking the ass and colt. 

4 Sy the proj)!iet; Zech. 9:9. 

5 The daughter of ZUm; a personification of Zion, 
which was the part of Jerusalem where David and the 
Idngs who succeeded him dwelt. It represents the inhab- 
itants of Jerusalem. Seholdyour King comcth; a prophecy 
evidently referring to the Messiah. And Jesus here 
claimed to be the One predicted. Sitting upon an ass; the 
beast of burden among the Israelites (Judges 5:10; 10:4) 
also a beast of peace in contrast with the ivar-horse. Ar 
ass and a colt; according to Mark (11 :7), and John (12:14) 
Jesus rode on the colt; the mother accompanying it. 

8 Spread their own garments in the way; a royal honor 
according to the custom of the times. 

9 i?c>s(iJinre; literally "save us," or "save now." 
I of joy to their newly-found King. Hosanna in 



the highest; let the heavens above ro-echo and ratify our 
Hosannas on earth. 

13 Cast out ; drove out the traders from the court of 
the temple. Money-changers; those who exchanged the 
Roman currency of that time for the Jewish half-shekel 
which was paid annually for the support of temple service. 
These money-changers received a premium, for their serv- 
ices, and were often dishonest in their dealings. Sold 
(lozjcs ; for offerings in the temple, (Lev. 14:22; Luke2:34). 
This was a wonderful miracle itself. 

13 Written; Isa. 56:7. 

15 Seeing the wonderful things; it seems strange that 
the miracles of Jesus had so little influence on tl^e minds 
of the rulers. His mighty works only made them, it 
seems, the more determined to kill Him. 

IG Did ye never read; Ps. 8:2. The quotation is from 
the Septuagint> or Greek translation of the Old Testa- 
ment, where the words "ordained strength" are trans- 
lated " perfected praise. " 

17 Bethany; a village on the east of the mount of 
Olives, near Bethphage. And lodged there: spent the ni ght. 
Jesus, no doubt, greatly enjoyed the hospitality of Mary, 
Martha, and Lazarus. 



MATTHEW 



37 



THE BARREN FIG TREE WITHERED. 

18 And in the morning, returning into 
the city, He hungered. 19 And, seeing 
one fig tree by the way, He came to it, and 
found nothing tliereon except leaves only. 
And He saith to it, "No more may fruit 
come from you forever." And immediately 
the fig tree withered away ! 20 And the 
disciples, seeing it^ wondered, saying, 
" How quickly the fig tree withered away ! " 

21 And Jesus, answering, said to them, 
"Verily I say to you, if ye have faith, and 
do not doubt, not only the withering of 
the fig tree shall ye accomplish, but, even 
if ye say to this mountain, ' Be lifted up, 
and be cast into the sea, ' it shall be done. 

22 And all things whatsoever ye ask in 
prayer, believing, j^e shall receive." 

Br WHAT AUTHOEirr? 

23 And, when He came into the temple, 
the high-priests and the elders of the peo- 
ple came to Him ^oh^le He vxis teaching, 
saying, '"'"Ry what authority art Thou do- 
ing these things ? And who gave Thee this 
authority?" 

24 And Jesus, answering, said, "I also 
will ask you one thing, which if ye tell Me, 
I also will tell you by what authority I do 
these things : 25 The immersion of John — - 
whence was it? from Heaven or from 
men ? " And they were reasoning among 
themselves, saying, "If we say, 'From 
Heaven,' He will say to us, 'Whj^ then, 
did ye not believe him?' 26 But, if we 
say, 'From men,' we fear the multitude; 
for all hold John as prophet." 27 And, 
answering Jesus, they said, "We do not 
know." He also said to them, "Neither 
do I tell you by what authority I do these 
things." 



THE TWO SONS. 

!8 "But what think ye? A man had 
two children; and to the first, he said, 
'Child, go, work to-day in the vineyard.' 
29 And he, answering, said, ''Igo, sir,' and 
he went not. 30 And, coming to the sec- 
ond, he spake in like manner; and he, 
answering, said, 'I am not willing;' but 
later, repenting, he went. 31 Which of the 
two did the will of the father?" They 
say, "The last." Jesus saith to them, 
"Verily I say to you that the tax-collectors 
and the harlots are going into the Kingdom 
of God before you. 32 For John came to 
you in the way of righteousness, and ye 
did not believe him; but the tax-collectors 
and the harlots believed him; but ye, hav- 
ing seen hirn^ did not even repent after- 
ward, that ye might believe him." 

FRUIT OF THE VINEYARD REQUIRED. 

33 "Hear another parable. There was 
a man — a householder — who planted a 
vineyard, and placed a fence around it, 
and dug a wine-press, and built a tower, 
and let it out to husbandmen, and went 
abroad.'^ 34 And, when the season of 
the fruits drew near, he sent his serv- 
ants to the husbandmen to receive his 
fruits. 35 And the husbandmen, taking 
his servants, one, indeed, they beat; and 
one they killed; and one they stoned. .36 
Again he sent other servants more than the 
first; and they treated them likewise. 37 
But afterward he sent to them his son, say- 
ing, 'They will reverence my son.' 38 
But the husbandmen, seeing the son, said 
among themselves, 'Thisis the heir; come, 
let us kill him, and have his inheritance ! ' 



2 Or, into another country. 



19 One fig tree; one by itself. Except leaves only; what 
an illustration of many a professed Christian, who has 
muoh outward show, hut no real fruit in his life! iVi 
more may fruit come from you; the cursing of the flg tree 
should he a warning to every individual, community, and 
nation, that fails to bring forth fruit to the praise of God 
(see Luke 13:6-9). 

21 // ye have faith; unwavering faith in God is what is 
greatly needed now. Say to this mountain; this mountain 
of difficulty. These mountains are still in the way, and 
nothing but the faith of the Son of God can remove the: 
It shall be done; God's omnipotence is ready to execute 
the demands of the faith that His Spirit imparts to His 
people. 

22 All thinas whatsoever ye ask, believing; this is as true 
now as it was in the days of the apostles. The prayer and 
faith to perform miracles were always the gifts of God 



and God gives both, when He wishes to glorify Himself, 
and when, also. He can find one who is so related to Him 
that He can impart the requisite faith. 

23 Bu what authority; the Jews wished to know who 
authorized Him to deal so summarily with the buyers, 
sellers, etc. 

23 The immersion of John; his ministration and teach- 
ing. Why did ye not believe Mm?; John spoke of Me as the 
Messiah. 

28 Whatthink ye?; of the following parable. 

29 1 00, sir, and went not; this represents the scribes 
and Pharisees, who professed to obey God, but did not. 

30 / am not willing; this represents openly sinful peo- 
ple, who at first refused, but, later, obeyed God. The tax- 
collectors and harlots went into the Kingdom of God, 
when those having all the religious privileges of that 
time stayed out, and opposed Jesus even to death. 



MATTHEW 



39 And, taking him, they cast him forth 
out of the vineyard, and killed him. 40 
When, therefore, the lord of the vineyard 
comes, what will he do to those husband- 
men?" 41 They say to Him, "He will 
miserably destroy those miserable men, 
and will let out the vineyard to other hus- 
bandmen, who will render to him the fruits 
in their seasons." 

42 Jesus saith to them, "Did ye neveT 
read in the Scriptures, 'The stone which 
the builders rejected, the same was made 
head of a corner; this w:as from the Lord, 
and it is marvellous in our eyes ? ' 



43 "Therefore, I say to you, the King- 
dom of God shall be taken away from you, 
and given to a nation bringing forth the 
fruit thereof. 44 And he who falls on this 
stone shall be broken in pieces; but on 
whomsoever it falls, it will scatter him. as 
dust." 

45 And the high-priests and Pharisees, 
having heard His parables, knew that He 
was speaking concerning them. 46 And, 
while seeking to lay hold on Him, they 
feared the multitudes, since they were 
holding Him as a prophet. 



CHAPTEE XXII. 

MARRIAGE FEAST AND WEDDING-GARMENT. 

1 And Jesus, answering, again spake to 
them in parables, saying, 

2 " The Kingdom of Heaven was likened 
to a man — a king — who made a marriage 
feast for his son. 3 And he sent forth his 
servants to call those who had been invited 
to the marriage feast, and they were not 
willing to come. 

4 "Again he sent forth other servants, 
saying, 'Say to those who have been in- 
vited. Behold, I have prepared my dinner, 
my oxen and f atlings have been slain, and 
all things are ready: come to the marriage 
feast.' 

5 " But they, neglecting it, went away; 
one, indeed, to his own farm, another to 
his merchandise; 6 and the rest, having 
laid hold on his servants, maltreated and 
slew them. 

7 "And the king was enraged ; and, send- 
ing his armies, he destroyed those murder- 
ers, and burned their city. 8 Then he 
says to his servants, 'The marriage feast, 
indeed is ready; but those who had been 



invited were not worthy; 9 go, therefore, 
to the outlets of the highways ; and as many 
as ye find, invite to the marriage feast. ' 10 
And the servants, going out into the high- 
ways, gathered together all whom they 
found, both bad and good ; and the bridal- 
hall was filled with guests.^ 

11 "And he saw there a man not having 
on a wedding-garment;^ 12 and he says to 
him, 'Friend, how did you come in here, 
not having on a wedding-garment? ' And 
he was speechless. 13 Then said the king 
to the attendants, ' Having bound his feet 
and hands, cast him forth into the outer 
darkness:' there will be the weeping, and 
the gnashing of teeth ! 14 For many are 
called, but few chosen." 

GOD AND C^SAR TO BE GIVEN THEIR DUES. 

16 Then the Pharisees, going, took coun- 
sel how they might ensnare Him in si)eech. 
16 And they send to Him their disciples 
with the Herodians, saying, " Teacher, we 
know that Thou art true, and teachest the 
way of God in truth, and carest not for 
any one; for Thou dost not look into the 



1 Gr. With those reclining. 

2 A garment of a marriage feast. 



NOTES ON CHAPTER XXH. 

3 His servants; those first sent to invite the Jews to 
accept Jesus as the Messiah. They were not willing to 
come; would not accept Him, 

4 Other servants; other ministers whom He afterwards 
sent. 

5 Neglecting it; paying no attention to the invitation. 

6 Maltreated and slew them; this represents the treat- 
ment which the apostles and other preachers would re- 
ceive at the hands of the Jews. 

7 Destroyed those murderers; referring to the destruc- 
tion of Jerusalem, as foretold by Jesus, (Luke 21:6-24). 

9 Outlets of the highways; referring to the offering of the 
Gospel to the gentile nations. 

10 And the bridal-hall was fllled; the servants of Christ 
are gathering in the guests now, and the marriage-Hall ot 
the Lamb will be filled. 



11 A wedding-garment; hosts on such occasions fur- 
nished wedding-garments for their guests. Robes of 
righteousness — even Christ's righteousness — will be sup- 
plied to all guests who enter the bridal-Hall of the Lamb. 
It was a great offense for a guest not to put on a wedding- 
garment, when it was supplied to all freely. Something 
more than physical presence among the people of God is 
needed, if one would not be cast out at last. 

12 He was speechless; knowing that he had no excuse, 

13 Into the outer darkness; outside the marriage-hall. 
This marriage-hall represents Heaven; and "the outer 
darkness." Hell with its anguish. 

14 Many are called; called to believe and accept the Gfos- 
pel. Few chosen; because few accept. 

16 With the Herodians; those who advocated the paying 



MATTHEW 



39 



face of men : 17 tell us, therefore, what 
thinkest Thou : Is it lawful to give tribute 
to Cajsar or not?" 

18 But Jesus, knowing their wickedness, 
said, "Why are ye tempting Me, hypo- 
crites? 19 Show me the tribute-coin." 
And they brought Him a denary. 20 And 
He says to them, "Whose is this image 
and inscription?" 

21 They say to Him, " Caesar's." Then 
saith He to them, " Eender, therefore, the 
things of Caesar to Cajsar, and the things 
of God to God." 22 And, hearing it, they 
wondered : and, leaving Him, they went 
away. 

MARRIAGE AND THE RESURRECTION. 

23 On that day the Sadducees came to 
Him, who say there is no resurrection, and 
questioned Him, 24 saying, "Teacher, 
Moses said, 'If any one die, having no chil- 
dren, his brother shall marry his wife, and 
raise up seed to his brother.' 25 Now there 
were with us seven brothers ; and the first, 
marrying, died ; and, not having seed, he 
left his wife to his brother. 26 Likewise 
also the second, and the third, unto the 
seventh.^ 27 And after them all, the 
woman died. 28 In the resurrection, 
therefore, whose wife shall she be of the 
seven? for they all had her." 

29 But Jesus, answering, said to them, 
" Ye deceive yourselves, not knowing the 
Scriptures nor the power of God; 30 for 



Gr. Seven. 



in the resurrection, they neither marry, 
nor are given in marriage, but are as 
angels in Heaven. 

31 " But concerning the resurrection of 
the dead, did ye not read that which was 
spoken to you by God, saying, 32 'I am 
the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, 
and the God of Jacob ? ' He is not the God 
of the dead, but of the living." 33 And 
the multitudes, hearing Him, were aston- 
ished at His teaching. 

THE GREATEST COMMANDMENT. 

34 But the Pharisees, hearing that He 
silenced the Sadducees, were collected to- 
gether; 35 and one of them, a lawyer, 
asked a question, tempting Him: 36 
"Teacher, which is the great command- 
ment in the law ? " 

37 And He said to him, " You shall love 
the Lord your God with all your heart, 
and with all your soul, and with all your 
mind. 38 This is the first and great com- 
mandment. 39 A second like it is this: 
You shall love your neighbor as yourself. 
40 On these two commandments hangs the 
whole law, and the prophets." 

David's son and lord. 

41 And, the Pharisees, having been 
gathered together, Jesus questioned them, 
42 saying, " What think ye concerning the 
Christ ?^^ Whose Son is He? " They say to 
Him, "David's." 43 "How, then, does 
David in the Spirit call Him Lord, saying, 
44 'The Lord said to my Lord, Sit on 



17 /« it lawful to give tribute, to CcBsar or not?; it He 
should say " it is not lawful." then they could charge H 
with disloyalty to the Roman government; but, if He 
should say "it is lawful." they purposed to accuse Him to 
the people as opposed to the law of God. 

18 Knowing their wickedness; clearly understanding 
their purpose. 

19 Tribute-coin ; the Roman coin with which their taxes 
to Cassar were paid. 

20 Whose image; likeness stamped upon the coin. 

21 Casar's; this proved that they were under his gov 
«rnment. and that, therefore, they should support it for 
the protection it gave them. 

22 They wondered; at the wisdom He displayed in escap- 
ing their snare. He proved to them that there was no nee 
«ssary -antagonism between the paying of tribute to a des 
potic power, and the service of God. 

23 No resurrection; of the body. They denied that the 
soul existed after death, and. if this were so, there could 
be no resurrection. 

24 Eaiseup seed to Ms brother; that no Jewish family 
might become extinct. 

28 niiose wife; believing that there was no resurrec 



tion. they felt sure that their supposition would expose its 
absurdity. 

Concerning the resurrection; the Biblical proof ot the 
doctrine. Did ye not read; Ex. 3:6, 15. The manner in 
which God spake of Abraham. Isaac, and Jacob, proved 
that they were still living. This proved that their belief 
that the soul had no existence after death was false ; and, 
this being false, there was no valid plea against the resur- 
rection. 

33 Were astonished; more and more at the great wisdom 
He displayed, and at His familiarity with the Scriptures. 

35 A lawyer; an expounder of the divine law. 

36 In the law; the law of God. 

37 He said; Deut. 6:5. 

38 This is the first and great commandment; because it 
requires that one shall be right with God. which is the 
way to get right in every other relation. 

39 A second; Lev. 19:18; requiring that one shall be 
right with his neighbor. "Love is the fulfilling of the 
law," (Rom. 13:10). 

40 On these two; they comprehend the substance ot all 
that is required in the Old Testament Scriptures. 

43 David in the Spirit; speaking by inspiration. (Ps. 
110:1). 



40 



MATTHEW 



My right hand, till I put Thy foes beneath 
Thy feet.' 45 If, then, David calls 
Him Lord, how is He his Son ? " 



46 And no one was able to answer Him 
a word ; nor did any one dare from that 
day to question Him any more. 



44 Sit on My right hand; as sharing with Him His 
throne in Heaven. Thy foes beneath Thy feet; as utterly 
subjugated. 

43 Ifow is He Jiis Son; how can Christ be both David's 



Lord and David's Son. Of course, He is David's descend- 
ant as to His humanity; but as God. He is David's Lord. 

It required One Who was no less than the God-man to 
put away sin. and give men eternal life in Heaven. 



CHAPTEK XXin. 

WOE PKONOUNCED UPON THE SCKIBES AND 
PHARISEES. 

1 Then Jesus spake to the multitude, 
and to His disciples, 2 saying, "The 
scribes and the Pharisees sit on Moses' 
seat. 3 All, therefore, whatsoever they 
bid^ you, do and observe; but do not ac- 
cording to their works; for they say and 
do not. 4 And they bind heavy burdens, 
and lay them upon the shoulders of men; 
but they themselves are not willing to 
move them with their finger. 5 But all 
their works they do with the view to be 
seen by men; for they make broad their 
phylacteries and enlarge their fringes; 6 
and they love the first place ^ in the feasts,' 
and the front seats in the synagogues, 7 and 
the salutations in the marketplaces, and to 
be called by men 'Rabbi.' 8 But be not 
ye called Rabbi; for One is your Teacher, 
and all ye are brethren. 9 And call no 
one your father; for One is your Father, 
the Heavenly. 10 Neither be ye called 
leaders;* because One is your Leader, the 
Christ. 11 But the greater of you shall 
be your minilster. 12 And whosoever shall 
exalt himself shall be humbled; and who- 
soever shall humble himself shall be 
exalted. 



13 " But woe to you, scribes and Phari- 
sees, hypocrites! because you shut up the 
Kingdom of Heaven against men; for ye 
do not enter, neither do ye suffer those who 
are entering in to enter. * 

15 "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, 
hypocrites! because ye compass sea and 
land to make one proselyte; and, when he 
is made such, ye make him a son of HeU 
twofold more than yourselves. 

16 ' ' Woe to you, blind guides, who say, 
'Whosoever swears by the temple, it is 
nothing; but whosoever swears by the gold 
of the temple, he is a debtor! ' 17 Fools, 
and blind! for which is greater — the gold 
or the temple that sanctified the gold? 18 
'And whosoever swears by the altar, it is 
nothing; but whosoever swears by the gift 
that is upon ^V, is a debtor! ' 19 Ye blind! 
for which is greater — the gift or the altar 
that sanctifies the gift? 20 He, there- 
fore, who swears by the altar swears by it 
and by all things on it; 21 and he who 
swears by the temple swears by it and by 
Him dwelling therein; 22 and he who 
swears by Heaven swears by the throne of 
God and by Him sitting thereon. 



1 Or, say. 3 Or, Jlrst couch. 
4 Or, guides. 



3 Or, chief meals. 



*Some authorities insert verse 14 here, or after verse 12: 
"Woe to you scribes, and Pharisees, hypocrites 1 for ye 
devour widows' houses, even while for a pretence ye make 
long prayers : therefore ye shall receive greater condemna- 
tion." 



NOTES ON CHAPTER XXIU. 

2 On, Moses' seat; as expounders and teachers of the law. 

3 So and observe; so far as their teachings correspond 
with the law. Do not according to their works; do not fol- 
low their example. 

4 Heavy burdens; burdensome ceremonies. They laid 
these heavy exactions upon the people, but did not observe 
them themselves. 

5 Phylacteries; amulets, or slips of parchment worn 
about their persons, on which were written some Scrip- 
ture precept, or divine motto. The scribes and Pharisees 
made theirs broader than others to indicate their superior 
piety! And for the same reason they wore broader fringes 
or borders on their garments. 

6 The front seat; or the most conspicuous place at feasts 
or dinings; choosing the best for themselves. It was a 
custom of the Jews at that time to take their meals re- 
clining, at the table, on couches, (Luke 14:7-11). 



7 Babbi; teacher, or master. 

8 All ye are brethren; equally children of God, and all 
standing on the same plane. 

10 Kcithcr be called leaders; or masters with assumed 
authority to control the consciences and conduct of others. 

11 Your minister; or one who ministers to your wants, 
especially in spiritual things. 

13 Te shut up; by your false teachings, or your rejec- 
tion of Me. Ye do not enter; they neither entered the 
Kingdom of Heaven themselves, and did all they could to 
prevent others from entering. 

15 Compass the sea and land; put forth all sorts of ef- 
forts. Proselyte; a convert to their religion. A son of 
Gehenna; a child of Hell; Gehenna being a place of tor- 
ment and abode of the wicked after judgment. Twofold 
more; doubly as wicked; proselytes being proverbially 
zealous and extreme in their action. 

16 Is debtor; under obligation to keep his oath. 



MATTHEW 



41 



23 " Woe to you scribes and Pharisees, 
hypocrites! because ye pay tithe ol: mint 
and anise and cummin; and have omitted 
the weightier things of the law — the judg- 
ment, and the mercy, and the faith; but 
these it was proper to have done, and those 
not to have omitted. 24: Blind guides! 
straining out the gnat, and swallowing the 
camel ! 

25 " Woe to you scribes and Pharisees, 
hypocrites! because ye cleanse the outside 
of the cup and the dish; but within they 
are full from extortion and excess! 26 
Blind Pharisees! cleanse first the inside 
of the cup and of the dish, that its outside 
also may become clean. 

27 " Woe to you scribes and Pharisees, 
hypocrites! because ye are like white- 
washed sepulchres, which outwardly, in- 
deed, appear beautiful, but within are full 
of bones of the dead and of all uncleanness. 
28 So ye also outwardly, indeed, appear 
righteous to men; but within ye are full of 
hypocrisy and lawlessness. 

29 " Woe to you scribes and Pharisees, 
hypocrites! because ye build the sepul- 
chres of the prophets, and adorn the 
tombs of the righteous, and say, 30- 'If we 



had been in the days of our fathers, we 
would not have been partakers with them 
in the blood of the prophets.' 31 So then 
ye testify to yourselves that ye are sons of 
those who killed the prophets; 32 and fill 
ye up the measure of your fathers. 33 Ser- 
pents ! broods of vipers ! How can ye 
escape the judgment of Hell ! 3-t There- 
fore, behold, I send to you prophets and 
wise men and scribes; some of them ye 
will kill and crucify, and some ye will 
scourge in your synagogues, and persecute 
from city to city; 35 that upon you may 
come all the righteous blood poured out 
upon the earth, from the blood of Abel, 
the righteous, unto the blood of Zachariah, 
son of Barachiah, whom ye slew between 
the temple and the altar. 36 Verily I say 
to you, all these things shall come upon 
this generation. 37 Jerusalem! Jerusalem! 
that kills the prophets, and stones those' 
sent to her! how often did I wish to gather 
your children together, as a hen gathers 
her chickens under her wings, and ye would 
not! 38 Behold, your house is left to you 
desolate! 39 For I say to you, ye shall 
in no wise see Me henceforth, till ye shall 
say, 'Blessed is He That cometh in the 
name of the Lord! ' " 



23 Pay tithes; give a tenth part to the service of the 
temple. Mint and anise and cummin; herbs of smaU value. 
T7i6 weightier things of the law; as justice to aU meted out 
by righteous judgment, compassion to the ignorant and 
needy, and piety towards God. 

24 Straining out the gnat; the gnat was an unclean 
thing (Lev. 11:20-23), and they were particular to strain it 
out of water before drinking, lest they should become un- 
clean. Swallowing the camel; the camel was an unclean 
animal, and thousands of times larger than a gnat; yet 
they would, as It were, swallow a camel— commit very 
large and monstrous sins; while, as to small matters, 
they were very scrupulous 1 

25 Full of extortion and excess; spoken of the vessels as 
foul with the viands that were served in them, procured as 
a result of extortion and excess; hut meaning thereby to 
describe the moral filth and corruption of the greedy 
scribes and Pharisees. 

26 If one would be acceptable to God, he must be clean 
inwardly and outwardly. 

27 White-washed sepulchres; sepulchres were white- 
washed at certain seasons. 

29 Adorn the tombs of the righteous; beautify the tombs 
of the worthy dead, as if they set a great price upon right- 
eousness. 

31 Ye testify; by calling the murderers of the prophets 
"our fathers," they owned that they were their children. 

32 Fill ye up the measure of your fathers: act worthily 
of them! fill up the measure of your iniquities, till the cup 
of iniquity is lulll 



33 Broods of vipers; different families of poisonous rep- 
tiles. How scathing the Saviour's rebukel How can you 
escape the judgment of Hell?; they wore cutting off the 
only possibility of escape from the woes of Hell by reject- 
ing Jesus Christ. 

34 Prophets; the apostles and other teachers of the 
Gospel. (See Acts 5:17, 40; 7:59). 

35 All the righteous tlood shed upon the earth; when they 
should murder the Son of God, thoy would sanction all the 
murders of good men before their time. The murder of 
Jesus Christ summarized all the murders for righteous- 
ness' sake, that had ever occurred on the earth 1 Zacha- 
riah; it is not known certainly just who Zachariah 
was. Some suggest that Zechariah, son of Jehoiada, is 
meant, (see II Chron. 24:20-22). The Jewish canon of 
Scripture puts the books of Chronicles last; and thus it 
would appear that Abel was the first martyr and this 
Zechariah the last. 

36 All these things; all these punishments due to their 

38 Your house; the temple which was burned by the 
Romans, and the site of it is now occupied by a Moham- 
medan temple. 

39 Shall in no wise see Me henceforth; the close of the 
Saviour's ministry was now near at hand. After His res- 
urrection He did not show Himself to all the people, but to 
chosen witnesses, (Acts 10:41). Blessed is He that cometh 
in the name of the Lord; the Jews will accept Christ as 
their Messiah, when He comes the second time without 
sin unto salvation, (see Zeh. 12:10; Rev. 1:7; Isa. 66:8; 
65:17-23). 



42 



MATTHEW 



CHAPTER XXIV. 

PROPHECY ON MOUNT OLIVKT. 

1 And Jesus, going' out, was departing 
from the temple; and His disciples came 
near to show Him the buildings of the 
temple. 2 But, He, answering, said to 
them, "See ye not all these things? verily 
I say to you, there shall in no wise be left 
here a stone upon a stone, that shall not be 
thrown down." 

3 And, while He was sitting on the 
mount of Olives, the disciples came to Him 
privately, saying, "Tell us when shall these 
things be, and what is the sign of Thy 
"Comingand, of the end of the age."^ 

4 And Jesus, answering, said to them, 
"Take heed that no one lead you astray; 
5 for many will come in My name, saying, 
'lam the Christ,' and will lead many 
astray. 6 And ye will hear of wars and 
rumors of wars. See that ye be not 
troubled, for these things must come to 
pass; but the end is not yet. 7 For nation 
will rise up against nation, and kingdom 
against kingdom; and there will be fanaines 
and earthquakes in various places. 8 But 



all these are a beginning of travail.^ 9 
Then will they deliver you up to tribula- 
tion, and will slay you; and ye will be 
hated biy all the nations for My name's 
sake. 10 And then will many be caused to 
stumble, and will deliver up one another, 
and hate one another; 11 and many false 
prophets will arise, and will lead many 
astray; 12 and, because lawlessness 
abounds, the love of many will grow cold. 
13 But he that endures to the end, the 
same shall be saved. 14 And this Gospel 
of the Kingdom shall be preached in all the 
inhabited earth for a testimony to all the 
nations, and then shall the end come. 

15 "When, therefore, ye see the abomi- 
nation of the desolation which was spoken 
of through Daniel the prophet, standing in 
the holy place, (let him that reads under- 
stand), 16 then let those in Judfea flee 
into the mountains; 17 let him who is on 
the house-top not go down to take away 
the things out of his house; 18 and let 
him who is in the field not turn back to 
take his garment. 19 But woe to the wo- 
men with child, and to those giving suck, 
in those days! 20 And pray, that your 
flight be not in winter, nor on a sabbath; 



1 Or. dispensation. 



2 Gr. Jiirih-pangs. 



NOTES ON CHAPTER XXTV. 
This prophecy has a double reference; first, to the de- 
struction of the temple and Jerusalem; and. secondly, to 
the close of this age. or dispensation; the former being a 
local type of what is to be -world-wide in the latter. (Luke 
21:36; Rev. 3:10). The providential coming of the Son of 
Man to destroy the temple and city, which was to be done 
l)efore that generation should pass away, shadows forth 
His majestic coming at the end of the age. 

1 Tfte temple; built after the return from the Babylon- 
ish captivity, and greatly enlarged by Herod, but finally 
destroyed in A. D. 70 under orders of the Roman general 
Titus. 

2 Thrown down; indicating the violence with which the 
temple was destroyed about thirty-seven years later. 

4-8 The events here prophesied of had their primarj' 
fulfillment between 33 and 70. A. D. ; but they are to have a 
much wider fulfillment just preceding the visible second 
«oming of Christ, (see Zech. 14:3-21; Rev. 19:11-21); the 
great tribulation period of (possibly) seven years, occur- 
ing between the rapture (I Cor. 15:51, 52; I Thess. 4:15-17). 
and His visible coming with His saints (Zech. 14:5; Jude 
14), to restore order to this planet, and inaugurate His 
blissful reign. (Rev. 20:1-4: Zech. 14:9; Isa. 65:17-25). "I 
am the Christ;" history informs us that there were such 
claimants before the destruction of Jerusalem ; and others 
are making the same impious claim now. 

9 Ye will be hated l>v all the nations: this had a primary 
tulflllmentin the persecutions that followed the Christian 
Jews and gentiles; but it will have a more intense fulfill- 
ment, when Satan with his organized earthly allies shall 
undertake to blot out Christianity from the earth, (see 
Bev. 12:13, 17; 13:7). 



10 Caused to stumble; will forsake Christ, to save their 
lives. 

13 lie tliat endures to the end; one who continues to fol- 
low Christ regardless of all perils, is the one who is prom- 
ised salvation. 

14 Preached in all the inhabited earth; that portion of It 
known to the Roman world had the Gospel preached in it 
before the destruction of Jerusalem. (Col. 1:6, 23; Rom. 
10:18) : but it is to be " preached in all the world for a tes- 
timony to all the nations." and for gathering a people 
from among the gentiles for His name, before His visible 
second coming. (Acts 15:14). The Gospel of the Kingdom, 
or the good news of the coming Kingdom, has not been 
very generally preached. 

15 The abomination, of the desolatifjn; possibly refer- 
ring primarily to the eagles of the Roman standards that 
desecrated the temple and "the holy city " just before its 
destruction by the Romans. (Dan. 9:27; 12:11); but looking 
forward to " the abomination of the desolation" that will 
be realized during "the tribulation the great." attSr the 
setting up of the image of the beast, (see Rev. 13:13-17; 
16:2). 

la .Flee into the zjMuntains; to escape death at the 
hands of the Roman soldiers. 

17 On the house-top; the tops of the houses were then 
made flat, so that persons often prayed, slept, or worked 
on them. To takeaway the things; there would be no time 
to take anything with them. 

19 Woe: because of the increased dilBculty of fleeing. 

20 Winter; because it would then be more perilous to 
escape. Sabbath day; it would make them violators ot the 
sabbath after the letter at least. The austerities of sab- 
bath observances would stand in the way of their escape, 
and they would appear as desecraters of the day. 



MATTHEW 



43 



21 for there will be fivoat tribulation, such 
as has not happened from the beginning of 
the world until now; no, nor ever shall be. 

22 And, unless those days should be short- 
ened, no flesh could be saved; but for the 
sake of the elect, those days will be short- 
ened. 23 Then, if any one shall say to 
you, 'Behold, here is the Christ!' or 

There,' believe it not; 24 for there will 
arise false Christs and false prophets; and 
they will give great signs and wonders, so 
as to lead astray, if possible, even the elect. 
25 Behold, I have foretold you. 26 If, 
therefore, they say to you, 'Behold, He is 
in the wilderness;" go not forth; 'Behold, 
Se is in the secret chambers,' believe it 
not. 27 For, as the lightning comes forth 
from the east, and shines unto the west, so 
shall be the coining* of the Son of Man. 
28 Wheresoever the carcase is, there the 
eagles will be gathered together. 

29 "And, immediately after the tribu- 
lation of those days, the sun will be dark- 
ened, and the moon will not give her light, 
and the stars will fall from the heaven, 
and the powers of the heavens will be 
shaken; 30 and then will appear the sign 
of the Son of Man in heaven; and then will 
all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they 
shall see the Son of Man coming on the 



3 Or, presence. 



clouds of heaven with power and great 
lory. 31 And He will send forth His 
angels, with the sound of a great trumpet, 
and they will gather together His elect 
from the four winds, from* one end of the 
heavens to the other. 

32 "Now from the fig tree learn the 
parable: When already its branch becomes 
tender, and the leaves are putting forth, 
ye know that the summer is near; 33 
even so ye, when ye see all these things, 
know that it* is near, at tJie doors. 34 
Verily I say to you, this generation will 
not pass away, until all these things come 
to pass. 35 The heaven and the earth will 
pass away, but My words shall not pass 
away. 36 But concerning that day and 
hour, no one knows, not even the angels of 
Heaven, neither the Son, but the Father 
only. 37 For as the days of Noe were, so 
shall be the coming of the Son of Man. 38 
For, as in the days before the flood, they 
were eating and drinking, marrying and 
giving in marriage, until the day on which 
Noe entered into the ark, 39 and they 
knew not until the flood came, and took 
them all away; so will be the coming of the 
Son of Man. 40 Then two men will be in 
the field; one is carried off, and one is left 



4 Gr. From bounds of the heavens to bouiids. 

5 His coming. 



21 Then shall Jbe great tribulation; it is said that 
1,100.000 Jews -were slain or perished in Jerusalem ; and, in 
other parts of the country adjacent. 250,000 more; while 
97,000 were sold into bondage. This is a type of what is to 
take place on a world-wide scale in the reign of the Anti- 
Christ during the great tribulation; this latter being 
world-wide, (see again Kev. 3:10; 13:7). 

22 Days shortened; days of distress and dire persecu 
tion ; having, probably, a double reference as above, (see 
Jer. 30:7; Dan. 12:1; Zech. 12:10, etc.). 

23-27 All false Christs who are confined merely to sor 
given locality— as in the wilderness, secret chambers, etc, 
are to be repudiated ; because, at His second visible coi 
ing. His appearance will be as the lightning that shines 
irom the east to the west. 

28 ^Vhere the carcass is, there the eagles will he gathered 
-together; where the Jews are, there will the destructive 
Romans be. Or, applied to the period just preceding our 
Lord's second visible coming, wherever Christians can be 
iound, there the forces of the Anti-Christ will swoop down 
upon them, like savage birds of prey, (Rev. 9:6; 13:7; 12:17). 

29 Sun darlcened; applying to things yet future, (see Isa, 
13:10; Ezek. 32:7; Joel 2:10, 31), and preceding the second 
coming of our Lord to the earth. 

30 The sign of the son of Man; sign of His coming 
Shall seethe Son of Han; when He comes to take vengeance 
on His enemies, (II Thess. 1:7-10; JudeH). 

31 Send forth Sis angels; after Christ has destroyed the 
armies of the beast, or Anti-Christ (Zech. 14:12; Kev. 19: 



19-21), He will send forth His angels (possibly these may 
be His messengers of the overcoming type— see Rev. 3:21; 
14:4), to gather up, and organize the world under His rule, 
(Zech. 14:9, 16-19). 

32, 33 From the fig tree; as the budding of the fig tree 
proclaims the near approach of summer, so the events 
above enumerated declare that the coming of Christ is 
near. Is the return of the Jews to Palestine, which is in- 
creasing more and more, the beginning of the "blighted 
fig tree " (ch. 21:19) to bud again ? 

34 This generation shall not pass away; referring, no 
doubt, to the destruction of Jerusalem, the portion of the 
prophecy in which His disciples were more immediately In- 
terested. 

36 Of that day; the day of His coming to judge the 
world. J^o one knows; men may guess, and reason from 
uncertain premises, and fix a time for His coming, but it 
amounts to little more than a guess. Neither the Son; as a 
man ; of course, as God (John 1:1; Isa. 9:6), Jesus knew all 
things. 

37-39 Noe; the Greek for Noah, (Gen. 7:1). The world 
will be absorbed in secular and social matters, when Christ 
comes ; and it will be very wicked, too ; and the people will 
be found unprepared to meet Him. 

40. 41 One carried off . . . one left behind; referring to the 
rapture (I Cor. 15:51, 52; I Thess. 4:15-17), when only those 
who are prepared will be caught up; and the others, because 
not prepared, will be left behind. This refers to Christ's 
coming in the mid-heavens to receive the watching, ready 



MATTHEW 



behind; 41 two women will he grinding at 
the mill, one is carried off, and one is left 
behind. 42 Watch ye, therefore, because 
ye know not in what day your Lord is 
coming. 43 But know this, that, had the 
householder known at what watch the thief 
would come, he would have watched, and 
would not have suffered his house to be 
broken through." 44 Therefore, be ye also 
ready, for, in an hour that ye think not, 
the Son of Man is coming. 

45 "Who, then, is the faithful and wise 
servant whom his lord set over his house- 



6 Gr. Be duo through. 



hold, to give them their food in season? 
46 Happy is that servant whom his lord, 
when he comes, shall find so doing, 47 
Verily I say to you, that he will appoint 
him over all his possessions. 48 But, if 
that evil servant shall say in his heart, 'My 
lord is delaying, ' 49 and shall begin to beat 
his fellow-servants, and shall eat and drink 
with the drunken; 50 the lord of that 
servant will come in a day when he is not 
expecting Am, and in an hour when he 
knows not, 51 and will cut him asunder, 
and appoint his portion with the hypocrites. 
There will be the weeping, and the gnash- 
ing of teeth!" 



ones, and not to His visible coming with the saints, (see 
again Zech. 14:5; Jude 14; Kev. 19:19). A Christian who 
is not ready will he lelt behind at the rapture, and remain 
on earth to go into the tribulation, and may share in mar- 
tyr honors later, (Rev. 20:4). 

42 Ye know not; it was true oi: the disciples, and It is 
true of Christians now, that they do not know the hour, or 
the day, or the year, of His coming. 

44 Be ready: for His coming in whatever way, whether 
to take our spirits to Heaven (John 14:2, 3), or His coming 
as Bridegroom, (oh. 25:1-13). 

45-51 To give them their food in season; ministers of the 
Gospel ought to expound the Scriptures to those under 
their care; giving them, among other things, the doc 
trine of Christ's second coming, with instructions as t( 



how they may he ready to meet Him. Those who do this 
faithfully will have a glorious place in the blissful reign of 
Christ on the earth; while those who do not feed their 
aocks properly, and do not teach them the doctrine of 
Christ's second coming, will have a dreadful doom to meet, 
rt is not the outward signs of His coming, but the com- 
mands of Jesus to watch and he ready, that should inspire 
us to zeal and watchfulness. The prophetic order of events, 
bearing on the second coming of our Lord, seems to be 
thus: 1. His coming in the mid-heavens tor His bride; 2. 
The great tribulation; 3. The visible coming of the Lord 
with His saints; 4. The destruction of the armies of the 
Anti-Christ, or beast, and the capture of the boast, false 
prophet, and Satan; and thou the inauguration of the Mil- 
lennial reign, etc. 



CHAPTER XXV. 

1 "Then the Kingdom of Heaven will 
be likened to ten virgins, who, taking their 
lamps, went forth to meet the bridegroom. 
2 And five of them were foolish, and five 
wise; 3 for the foolish, taking their lamps, 
did not take oil with them; 4 but the wise 
took oil in the vessels with their lamps. 6 
Now, the bridegroom tarrying, they all be- 
came drowsy, and were sleeping; 6 but 
at midnight a cry has been made, ' Behold 
the bridegroom! Come ye forth to meet 
him!' 

NOTES ON CHAPTER XXV. 

1 T7ien; at the time of the rapture, when "one will be 
taken, and one will be left," (ch. 24:40, 41). To meet the 
bridegroom; Christ is the Bridegroom; and He is coming 
for His bride, (I Cor. 15:51, 52; I Thess. 4:15-17). 

2-7 The foolish . . . the wise; they were all virgins 
differing in one important thing: viz.. the foolish were not 
filled with the Spirit, (the oil being a symbo'l of the 
Spirit) but the wise were so filled. Both seem to have 
been Christians ; but the foolish, like the vast majority of 
Christians of the present day, were not fully consecrated 
hence were not Spirit-fllled, and therefore not ready to 
meet the Bridegroom; and hence they were left behind to 
go into the tribulation. 

8 Give us of your oil; the foolish virgins now saw that 
their defect was radical: but the wise could not supply 



7 Then all those virgins arose, and 
trimmed their lamps. 8 'And the foolish 
said to the wise, ' Give us of your oil, be- 
cause our lamps are going out.' 9 But the 
wise answered, saying, 'Perhaps there will 
not be enough for us and you; go rather 
to those who sell, and buy for yourselves.' 
10 And, while they were going away to buy, 
the bridegroom came, and the ready ones 
went in with him to the marriage feast; and 
the door was shut. 

11 "And afterward come also the re- 
maining virgins, saying, 'Lord, Lord, open 
to us ! ' 12 But he, answering, said, ' Verily 

Llicm; for they had no excess. Every one must get ready 
for himself, and not depend upon others. 

9 Buy for yourselves; each Christian must receive the 
Holy Spirit for himself; and this is a real transaction, in 
which one gives himself to God, and by faith receives the 
Holy Spirit, (Gal. 3:2, a4; Luke 11:13; Mark 11:24). 

10 ^V}lile they were going to buy; while they were seek- 
ing to get the Holy Spirit, The ready oiies went in with 
him; the Spirit-filled are the ready ones; and these goto 
the marriage feast. 

11 Afterward came also the others; they seem to have 
gotten the oil. but too late to enter. 

12 / know you not; as the ready guests for this occa- 
sion. They were probably now prepared for martyrdom, 
and. if so, would come up with martyr honors at the last: 
(Rev. 20:4). Christians who are not cut loose from the 



MATTHEW 



45 



I say to you, I know you not.' 13 Watch, 
therefore, because ye know not the day, 
nor the hour! 

14 "For it is as when a man, going 
abroad, called his own servants, and de- 
livered to them his goods: 15 and to one, 
indeed, he gave five talents; and to another, 
two; and to another, one — to each accord- 
ing to his own ability; and he went abroad. 

16 "Straightway the one receiving the 
five talents, going, traded with them, and 
gained five others. 17 Likewise he also 
who received two gained other two. 18 
And he who received one, going away, 
digged in the earth, and hid his lord's 
money.' 19 And, after a longtime, the 
lord of those servants comes, and makes a 
reckoning with them. 20 And the one 
who received the five talents, coming for- 
ward, brought other five talents, sa.nng, 
'Lord, you delivered to me five talents; 
behold, I gained other five talents.' 21 
His lord said to him, ' Well done, good and 
faithful servant; you were faithful over a 
iew things, I will set you over many; enter 
into the joy of your lord.'_ 

22 "He also, who received the two tal- 
ents, coming near, said, ' You delivered to 
me two talents; behold, I gained other two 
talents.' 23 His lord said to him, 'Well 



1 Gr. Sillier. 



■world, are not ready to meet Christ; though, after the 
rapture, and before "the great tribulation" actually be- 
gins, they may receive the Holy Spirit, and get ready for 
the martyrdom that awaits all who miss the rapture. 

13 Watch; because you do not know when He is coming. 
This is the practical application of the parable. 

14 Delivered to them his goods; this parable represents 
God as the Giver of all blessings, the recipients as account- 
able to Him; and this suggests the great importance of 
making the best possible use of the gifts bestowed. 

15 To each accordina to his own ahility; God distributes 
His gifts according to the ability of His people to use 
them. 

16 Traded with them; making the. best possible use o 
his opportunities. 

18 Hid his lord's money; so that he might not bother 
about it. The sequel shows that a failure to improve one's 
opportunities will subject one to dreadful punishment. 

19 The lord of those servants; referring to Jesus Christ 
when He comes to judgment. 

21 7 will set you over many; 1 will promote you to a 
higher position in my service. The faithful ones will have 
much honor bestowed upon them hereafter. 

23 jod and faithful servant; this servant receives the 
same commendation as the one who gained five talents 
though, doubtless, his future promotion would be. all else 
equal, in the same ratio as the gifts bestowed and as 
their pains. 

24 You are a hard man; indolence is often associated 
with insolence. Sinners who have wasted their opportuni 
ties often have hard thoughts of God. 



done, good and faithful servant; you were 
faithful over a few things; I will set you 
over many things: enter into the joy of 
your lord.' 

24 "And he viho received the one talent, 
having come, said, 'Lord, I knew you, 
that you are a hard man; reaping where 
you did not sow, and gathering where you 
did not scatter; 25 and, being afraid, go- 
ing away, I hid your talent in the earth: 
behold, you have your own.' 26 But his 
lord, answering, said to him, 'Wicked and 
slothful servant! You knew that I reap 
where I did not sow, and gather where 1 
did not scatter. 27 It behooved you, 
therefore, to put my money to the bankers; 
and, at my coming, I would have received 
my own with interest. 28 Take from him, 
therefore, the talent, and give it to him 
who has the ten talents.' 29 For, to every 
one that has, shall be given, and he shall 
be made to abound; but from him that has 
not shall be taken away even what he has; 
30 and cast out the unprofitable servant 
into the outer darkness: there will be the 
weeping, and the gnashing of teeth! 

31 "And, when the Son of man cometh 
in His glory, and all the angels with 
Him, then will He sit on the throne of His 
glory.; 32 and there will be gathered be- 
fore Him all the nations; and He will sep- 



Tou knew that I reap; taking you on your own 
ground, why did you not make the proper use of your tal- 
ent? You say you know the facts in the case; why then 
did you not use your opportunity? 

27 Banlcers; or persons who borrowed and loaned 
money. Mu own with intei'esi; the original one talent and 
the accrued legal interest. 

23 TaJce. therefore; as he would not use the talent, he 
could not have it any longer. It is a blessing to cancel one's 
opportunities for service, when he disregards them wholly ; 
for thus one's opportunities for sinning in this way is 
abridged. Who has Vie ten talc-its; because (possibly) he 
has larger capacity for labor than the one who had the two. 

29 To everyone who has; the power to make use of op- 
portunities. Made to abound: to have a great abundance 
of opportunities, which makes, it possible for greater 
gains. That has not; no disposition or capacity to work 
for God. Such a person will have all such opportunities 
taken from him. and will be punished as he deserves. 

30 And cast out the unproAtable servant; such.are tj be 
cast out. as it would here seem, by the faithful them- 
selves; God making them assistants of His Son in the 
matter of pronouncing and executing judgment, (see T 
Cor. 6:2, 3; Dan, 7:22; Rev. 2:23; 3:21, etc.). 



th His saints (Zech. 14:5; Jude 
lations and individuals during 



31 Comes in His a'-ory 
14. 15). to judge the livi; 
His Millennial reign. 

32 Allthenations; or peoples of all the nations; show 
ing that this is a judgment of living people. 



46 



MATTHEW 



arate them one from another, as the shep 
herd separates the sheep from the goats; 
33 and He will set the sheep, indeed, on 
His right hand, but the goats on the left. 

34 " Then will the King say to those on 
His right hand, 'Come, ye blessed of My 
Father! inherit the Kingdom prepared for 
you from the foimding of the world: 35 
for I hungered, and ye gave Me to eat; I 
thirsted, and ye gave Me drink; I was a 
stranger, and ye took Me in; 36 naked, 
and ye clothed Me; I was sick, and ye 
looked after Me; I was in prison, and ye 
came to Me.' 

87 " Then will the righteous answer Him, 
saying, 'Lord, when did we see Thee 
hungering, and fed Thee ? or thirsting, and 
gave Thee drink? 38 And when did we 
see Thee a stranger, and took Thee in; or 
naked, and clothed Thee ? 39 And, when 
did we see Thee sick, or in prison, and 
came to Thee ? ' 

40 "And, answering, the King will say to 



them, 'Verily I say to you, inasmuch as 
ye did it to one of My brethren, even the 
least, ye did it to Me.' 41 Then will He 
say also to those on the left hand, 'Depart 
from Me, ye accursed! into the eternal fire 
which was prepared for the Devil and his 
angels; 42 for I hungered, and ye did not 
give Me to eat; I thirsted, and ye gave Me 
no drink ; 43 I was a stranger, and ye took 
Me not in; naked, and ye did not clothe 
Me; sick, and in prison, and ye did nofc 
look after Me.' 

44 " Then will they also answer, saying, 
' Lord, when did we see Thee hungering^ 
or thirsting, or a stranger, or naked, or 
sick, or in prison, and did not minister to 
Thee?^' 

45 ■' Then will He answer them, saying, 
'Verily I say to you, inasmuch as ye did 
it not to one of these least, ye did it not 
to Me ? ' 

46 "And these shall go away into eternal 
punishment, but the righteous into eternal 
life." i 



33 Sheep; the true people of God. Goats; sinners. 

34 The Kingdom prepared, for you; referring, primarily, 
to the eternal Kingdom, which would embrace the Millen- 
nial Kingdom and all beyond through the ages of the ages, 

37-39 When did we see Thee hungering; Christians do not 
always appear to believe that they are dealing with Christ 
Himself, when they are dealing with His disciples. Lord, 
give us the power to discern Thy spirit— Thy life, however 
small— in every true disciple of Thine, and then help us to 
know how we may most honor Thee in our treatment of 
each! 

40 Ye did it to Me; implying the very intimate union ex- 
isting between Christ and all true believers, so that what- 
ever is done to one of them— whether good or bad— He con- 
siders as done to Himself. 

41 Into the eternal fire; the abode of the wicked dead. 



Prepared for the Devil and his angels; but becomes the 
abode of all who side with the Devil, (see Rev. 20:10-15). 

46 Into eternal punishment . . . eternal life; the dura- 
tion of punishment seems to be the same as that of the 
bliss of Heaven. There is the same reason for believing — 
so far as this Scripture is concerned— that the punishment 
of H^l is unending, as for believing that the bliss of Heaven 
is endless. The thought of eternal suffering in Hell is un- 
speakably horrible ; and it would be a great relief to know- 
one of three things: First, that the wicked will be utterly- 
extinguished; or second, that there will be a second pro- 
bation offered to the lost in Hell; or, third, that all will be 
ultimately saved: but the Scriptures seem plainly to teach. 
that we are to hope for no one of these alternatives. And. 
there is nothing left to true believers but to believe God's 
word in the face of all opposition from men and demons. 



CHAPTEE XXVr. 

OONSPIKACY TO BETKAY JESUS. 

1 And it came to pass when Jesus fin- 
ished all these words. He said to His dis- 
ciples, 2 " Ye know that, after two days, 
the passover takes place, and the Son of 
Man is delivered up to be crucified." 

3 Then the high priests and the elders 
of the people were gathered together into 
the court of the high priest who was called 



Caiaphas; 4 and they consulted together 
that they might take Jesus by guile and 
kill Him. 6 But they said, "Not during the 
feast, lest an uproar might arise among 
the people." 

JESUS ANOINTED AT BETHANY. 

6 Now, when Jesus was in Bethany, in 
the house of Simon the leper, 7 there 
came to Him a woman having an alabaster 
cruse of very precious ointment, and 



NOTES ON CHAPTER XXVI. 

1 These words; contained in the last two chapters, in 
reply to their question in ch. 24:3. 

2 The feast of the passover; an annual Jewish feast, 
commemorating the passing over of the houses of the Is- 
raelites in Egypt, (Ex. 12:1-30); occurring from the 15th 
to the 21st of the month Abib, which corresponds in part 
to our month April. The Son of Man . . . to be crucified, 



as Jesus was the sacrifice prefigured by the paschal lamb, 
it was proper that He— the Antitype— should be sacrificed 
at the season of the passover. 

6 T^?^en Jesus was in Bethany; this dates back to six 
days before the passover. (John 12:1). 

7 Tliere came to Mm a woman; Mary, the sister of Mar- 
tha and Lazarus, (John 12:3). Alabaster; a fine stone 
carved into an ornamental cruse, or box, or vase. Oint- 



MATTHEW 



47 



poured it down upon His head, while re- 
clining at table. 8 And the disciples, see- 
ing it, were much displeased, saying, "To 
what purpose is this waste? 9 For this 
might have been sold for much, and given 
to the poor!" 10 But Jesus, perceiving 
it, said to them, " Why do ye give trouble 
to the woman? for she wrought a good 
work for Me; 11 for the poor ye always have 
with you; but Me ye have not always. 12 
For she, in pouring this ointment upon My 
body, did it with reference to My burial. 
13 Verily I say to you, wheresoever this 
Gospel shall be preached in all the world, 
that also which this woman did shall be 
spoken of for a memorial of her." 

14 Then one of the twelve, the one called 
Judas Iscariot, going to the high priests, 
15 said, "What are ye willing to give me, 
and I will deliver Him up to you? " And 
they paid him thirty pieces of silver. 16 
And from that time he was seeking an op- 
portunity to deliver ^ Him up. 

THE PASSOVER: THE OLD AND NEW FEAST. 

17 And on the first day of the unleavened 
hread the disciples came to Jesus, saying, 
" Where dost Thou wish that we should 
prepare for Thee to eat the passover ? " 18 
And He said, " Go away into the city to 
such a one, and say to him, 'The Teacher 
says, My time is at hand; with you I ob- 
serve the passover together with My dis- 
ciples.' " 19 And the disciples did as Jesus 
directed them, and prepared the passover. 



20 And, evening coming on. He was re- 
clining at table with the twelve; 21 and, 
as they were eating, He said, "Verily I 
say to you, one of you will betray Me." 
22 And, being exceedingly grieved, they 
began to say to Him, each one, " Is it I, 
Lord?" 23 And He, answering, said, 
" He who dipped with Me his hand in the 
dish, the same will betray Me. 24 The 
Son of Man, indeed, goeth, as it has been 
written of Him, but woe to that man by 
whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It were 
good for him, if that man had never been 
born!" 

25 And Judas, who betrayed Him, 
answering, said, "Is it I, Eabbi?" He 
says to him, " You said ity 

26 And, as they were eating, Jesus, tak- 
ing a loaf and blessing it, broke it, and 
giving to His disciples, said, " Take, eat, 
this is My body." 27 And, taking a cup, 
and offering thanks. He gave to the dis- 
ciples, saying, " Drink of it, all ye; 2S 
for this is My blood of the covenant,* 
which is shed in behalf of many for remis- 
sion of sins. 29 And I say to you, I will 
not drink henceforth of this product of the 
vine, until that day when I drink it new 
with you in the Kingdom of My Father." 
80 And, having sung praises, they went 
out into the mount of Olives. 

Peter's denial foretold. 

31 Then Jesus saith to them, "All ye 



1 Or, betray. 



2 Or, testament. 



ment; perfume. Poured it down upon His head; while He 
was reclining at a meal. This was a liquid perfume. 

8 To what purpose is this waste; this is ascribed to 
Judas Iscariot in John 12:4. which seems to have been 
sanctioned by others of the disciples. Compare Mark 14:4. 

10 STie wrouaUt a good work for Me? ; Jesus appreciated 
her loving sacrifice; nor did He think it excessive. Those 
•who deal niggardly with Christ do so because they under- 
estimate His character. We should give Him our best— 
our all. 

12 With reference to My burial; It was a custom to 
anoint or embalm with spices the dead body before burial. 
Jesus says this may be taken as my preparation for burial. 

13 A memorial of her; her memory has been perpetu- 
ated by this act. 

15 Thirty pieces of silver; thirty shekels of silver, 
about fifteen dollars in value, -which was the price of a 
servant's life. (Ex. 21 :32). 

17 On the first day of unleavened hread; meaning the 
first day of the feast of the passover; unleavened bread 
being used at this feast— that is, bread that had no leaven, 
or fermented element in it. Eat the passover; the paschal 
lamb which was eaten on that occasion. 

18 To such a man; this showed the superhuman knowl- 
edge of Jesus, and also His far-reaching providence. 



24 As it has been, written; Ps. 41 :9; Isa. 53:4-10. Good for 
him; because of the suffering awaiting his great crime. 

26 This is My body; the bread represents His body. 
Jesus here uses a metaphor, as He often did. " I am the 
Vine, ye are the branches" (John 15:5); "The seven good, 
kine are seven years, " (Gen. 41:26); " SeisaEock." (Deut. 
32:4)— these are Instances of the use of metaphors, which, 
are easily understood. "This is My body," Is easily un- 
derstood, if one does not mean to pervert the truth. 

28 This is My blood; represents My blood. The bread 
and wine, partaken of as a memorial of Christ's death, de- 
clare His vicarious sufferings, in behalf of sinners. 

29 When I drink it with you new; in the blissful reign of 
Christ on earth during the Millennium, as Is likely. There 
Is no proof that Jesus ever drank of the wine after the oc- 
casion on which the Supper was Instituted. And It would 
hardly be proper to say that Jesus meant that He would 
partake of the Supper with His disciples, eating and 
drinking the emblems of His own body and blood, during 
His personal absence from His disciples. But, if we un- 
derstand that He had reference to His reunion with His 
disciples in the Millennial reign, all seems simple, (see 
oh. 19:28; Acts 15:14-17; Rev. 20:1-4, etc.). 

31 Stumble at Me; the disciples seemed unable to un- 
derstand that Jesus was to be crucified; hence, when He 



48 



MATTHEW 



will, be made to stumble because of Me 
this night; for it has been written, 'I will 
smite the Shepherd, and the sheep of the 
flock will be scattered abroad.' 32 But, 
after I am raised up, I will go before you 
into Galilee." 

33 But Peter, answering, said to Him, 
"If all should be offended in Thee, I will 
never be offended." 34 Jesus said to him, 
" Verily I say to you, that this night, be- 
fore a cock crows, you will thrice deny 
Me." 35 Peter says to Him, "Even if 1 
must die with Thee, I will not deny Thee." 
Likewise also said all the disciples. 

HIS AGONY IN THE GARDEN. 

36 Then cometli Jesus with them into 
a place called Gethsemane, and saith to the 
disciples, "Sit ye here, while I, going 
yonder, pray." 37 And, taking with Him 
Peter, and the two sons of Zebedee, He 
began to be grieved and to be in distress. 
38 Then saith He to them, " My soul is 
exceedingly sorrowful even unto death! 
Abide ye here, and watch with Me." 

39 And, going forward a little. He fell 
on His face, praying, and saying, "My 
Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass 
away from JNIe : nevertheless not as I will, 
but as Thou wUtP'' 40 And He cometh to 
the disciples, and findoth them sleeping, 
and saith to Peter, " Were ye thus unable 
to watch with Me one hour? 41 Watch, 
and pray, that ye enter not into tempta- 
tion. The spirit, indeed, is willing,' but 
the flesh is weak." 42 Again, a second 
time, going away, He prayed, saying, "M.y 
Father, if it is not possible that this cup 



Beady, or forward. 



should pass away except I drink it. Thy 
will be done." 43 And, coming again. He 
found them sleeping; for their eyes were 
heavy. 44 And, leaving them, going away 
again. He prayed a third time, saying again 
the same words. 

45 Then He cometh to the disciples, and 
saith to them, "Sleep on the remaining 
time, and take your rest. Behold the hour 
has drawn near, and the Son of Man is be- 
trayed into the hands of sinners. 46 Arise, 
let us be going. Behold, he who is betray- 
ing Me is at hand." 

THE BETRAYAL AND ARREST. 

47 And, while He is yet speaking, be- 
hold, Judas, one of the twelve, came, and 
with him a large multitude, with swords 
and clubs, from the high priests and elders 
of the people. 48 And he who was betray- 
ing Him gave them a sign, saying, " Whom^ 
soever I kiss, He it is; seize Him." 

49 And immediately coming to Jesus, 
he said, "Hail, Eabbi!" and kissed Him. 
50 But Jesus said to him, " Comrade, do 
that for which you are present! " Then, 
coming near, they laid hands on Jesus, 
and took Him. 

51 And, behold, one of those with Jesus 
stretcliing forth his hand, grasped his 
sword; and, smiting the servant of the 
high preist, he struck off his ear. 

52 Then saith Jesus to him, "Return 
your sword to its place; for all taking a 
sword will perish by a sword. 53 Or do 
you think that I cannot call upon My 
Father, and He will place beside Me, even 
now, more than twelve legions of angels? 
54 How, then, could the Scriptures be ful- 
filled, that thus it must be?" 



surrendered to His enemies, they were utterly dumb- 
founded, and fled away from Him and His captors. Writ- 
ten; Zech. 13:7. 
32 Go before you inti) Galilee; ch. 28:7. 

34 You will thrice deny Mr; vs. 70-74. 

35 To die with Thee; Peter and all the other apostles 
thought they would be willing to die with Jesus, rather 
than to deny Him, so were they after Pentecost. (Acts 2) 

36 Gethsemane; a garden on the west side of the mount 
of Olives. 

37 Two sons of Zebedee; James and John. 

38 Even unto death; the pressure of the world's guilt 
upon Him well-nigh killed Him before He reached the 
cross. 

39 This cup; the sufferings that came upon Him on ac- 
count of His assuming the world's guilt. Nevertheless 
thank God for this "nevertheless! " 

41 Watch, and pray; these are most effective agencies 
against temptation; and the disciples were soon to have 
their faith severely tested. The spirit; their spiritual be- 



ing, or new man. The flesh; referring more particularly to 
their tired bodies; the expression is often used to denote 
the dcpr.ivity of human nature, or the weaknesses which 
make one a prey to temptation. 

45 Sleep on the remaining time; probably meaning that, 
as they were unable to watch with Him during the period 
of His deepest agony, they might continue to sleep until 
His enemies should come— which proved to be but a very 
brief period, (v. 47). 

51 One of those; Peter. 

53 Twelve legions; at this time a Roman legion con- 
sisted of six thousand men. The Saviour meant a large 
number— ample to protect Him against all the foes of 
earth and Hell. 

54 How, then, could the Scriptures be fulfilled; the Scrip- 
tures that foretold His sufferings, (see, again, Isa. 53; 
Dan. 9:24-26, etc.). Hence, He waived His right to self- 
protection, that He might fulfill the Scriptures, and bring 
in everlasting righteousness. 



MATTHEW 



49 



55 In that hour Jesus saith to the multi- 
tudes, "Did ye come out as against a rob- 
ber, with swords and clubs, to arrest Me? 
Daily with you, in the temple, I was wont 
to sit, teaching, and ye seized me not. 56 
But all this has come to pass, that the writ- 
ings of the prophets might be fulfilled." 
Then all the disciples, forsaking Him, fled. 

57 And those who seized Jesus led Him 
away to Caiaphas the high priest, where 
the scribes and the elders were gathered 
together. 

58 And Peter was following Him afar 
oflf to the court of the high priest; and, en- 
tering within, he was sitting with the at- 
tendants to see the end. 

JESUS BEFORE THE HIGH PRIEST. 

59 And the high priests and the whole 
Sanhedrin were seeking false witness 
against Jesus, that they might put Him to 
death; 60 and they did not find any, 
though many false witnesses came forward. 
But afterward two false witnesses, coming 
forward, 61 said, "This Man said, 'I am 
able to destroy the temple of God, and to 
build it in three days.' " 

62 And the high priest, standing up, 
said to Him, -"Answerest Thou nothing? 
What are these testifying against Thee ? " 
63 But Jesiis was silent. And the high 
priest said to Him, "I adjure* Thee by the 
living God, that Thou tell us whether Thou 
art the Christ, the Son of God! " 64 Jesus 
saith to him, "You sard it: nevertheless 
I say to you, henceforth ye shall see the 



Son of Man sitting on the right hand of 
power, and coming on the clouds of 
heaven." 

65 Then the high priest rent his gar- 
ments, saying, "He blasphemed! What 
further need have we of witnesses? Be- 
hold, ye just now heard the blasphemy! 
%^ What think ye?" And they answering, 
said, "He is worthy^ of death." 67 Then 
did they spit in His face, and bujffet Him. 
And others smote Him, 68 saying, 
Prophesy to us, O Christ, who is he that 
struck Thee?" 

Peter's denial. 

59 And Peter was sitting without, in the 
court; and a certain maid-servant ap- 
proached him, saying, "And you were with 
Jesus the Galilsean!" 70 But he denied 
before them all, saying, "I know not what 
you are saying." 

71 And another maid saw him, when he 
walked out into the porch, and says to those 
there, "This man was with Jesus the 
Nazarene." 72 And again he denied with 
an oath, "I do not know the Man." 73 
And after a little while, those who stood 
by, having come, said to Peter, ' ' Truly you 
also are one of them; for even your speech 
makes you manifest." 

74 Then began he to curse and swear, 
"I do not know the Man." And straight- 
way a cock crowed. 75 And Peter re- 
membered the word of Jesus, saying, 
" Before a cock crows, yo'i will thrice deny 
Me." And, going forth without, he wept 
bitterly. 



4 Put on oath. 



5 Guilty of death. 



56 Then all the Disciples . . . fled; as foretold in v. 31. 
58 Peter was following Him afar off; to keep out of the 
-w^ay of danger. To see the end; the result of the trial. 

60 2>i(J not find any; they had already determined that 
He should he killed, and now they were hunting up some 
testimony that might give them some excuse. 

61 Al)le to destroy the temple of God; this was false, both 
in word and in His meaning. His rising again the third 
day, (see John 2:19-32). was what He referred to. 

63 I adjure you; I put you on your oath to answer 
truly. 

64 Tou said it; probably meaning thSt he had the truth : 
viz., "I am the Son of God." Sitting . . . and coming; 
this was a claim of divine honor and majesty. 

65 Rent his garments; as an expression of great indig- 
nation. The blasphemy; in claiming to be the Son of God 
and the Judge of men. 

66 What think ye.'; what do you think about it? Me is 
worthy of death; the crime merits death; referring proba- 
bly to Deut. 24:16, as the law which they supposed He 
had violated. 



67 Prophesy to us; they had previously covered His 
face, (Mark 14:65); and, in cruel mockery of His claim to 
be the Son of God, they now ask Him to display His 
knowledge, by telling them who it was that smote Him. 

70 7 know not what you are saying; think of the bold 
Peter denying that he understood what the maid said to 
himl "Let him that thinks he stands take heed lest he 
fall," (I Cor. 10:12). 

Tour speech makes you manifest; identifies you with 
the Galilcean. 

74 Curse and swear; imprecating curses on his head, if 
he were not telling the truth. This was the hour of tri- 
umph for Satan! 

75 And Peter remembered the word of Jesus; v, 34. 
Wept bitterly; on account of his great sin in denying 
Jesus. 

While condemning Peter, let us not deny our Saviour in 
failing to follow His example of devotion to our Father, 
and in obeying all the word of God that was meant to con- 
trol our lives. 



60 



MATTHEW 



CHAPTER XXVII. 

JESUS TAKEN BEFORE THE GOVERNOR. 

I And, when morning came, all the high 
priests and elders of the people took coun- 
sel against Jesus, so as to put Him to death; 
2 and, binding Him, they led Hvm away, 
and delivered Him up to Pilate, the gov- 
ernor. 

JTJDAS HANGS HIMSELF. 

3 Then Judas, who betrayed Him, see- 
ing that He was condemned, repenting, 
brought back the thirty pieces of silver to 
the high priests and the elders, 4 saying, 
" I sinned, having betrayed innocent blood." 
But they said, " What is that to us ? You 
may see to that." 5 And, throwing the 
pieces of silver into the temple, he with- 
drew; and, going away, he hanged himself. 

6 And the high priests, taking the pieces 
of silver, said, "It is not lawful to cast 
them into the treasury, since it is the price 
of blood." 1 And, taking counsel, they 
bought with them the field of the potter, 
for a biarial-place for the strangers. 8 
Wherefore, that field was called "A field 
of blood" until this day. 

9 Then was fulfilled that spoken through 
Jeremiah the prophet, saying, "And they 
took the thirty pieces of silver, the price 
of Him Who wus priced. Whom some of 
the sons of Israel priced, 10 and gave them 
for the potter's field, as the Lord directed 
me." 

JESUS BEFORE PILATE. 

II And Jesxis stood before the governor, 
and the governor questioned Him, saying, 
"Art Thou the King of the Jews? " And 
Jesus said to him, " You say it^ 12 And, 
while He was being accused by the high 



NOTES ON CHAPTER XXVII. 

1 To put Him to death; this had been determined upOn 
already: and His claim to be the Son of God served as the 
pretext lor the execution of their purpose. 

2 Delivered Sim to Pilate; because the Jews had no au- 
thority to take life; that being reserved for the Roman 
government, whose principal representative at Jerusalem 
was Pilate. 

3 Jtepentina; of his great crime in betraying Jesus. 
Whom he knew to be innocent. This was unavailing re- 
pentance. The crime was so great, that it admitted of no 
effective repentance, or real change of mind, (seech. 26:23). 

4 What is that to us?; the men that could have delib- 
erately planned the death of Jesus, were not capable of 
real sympathy. 

5 Hanged himself; committed suicide to get rid of his 
torment, but he did not succeed in this, (see Luke 16:23, 24). 



priests and elders. He answered nothing. 
13 Then says Pilate to Him, "Hearest 
Thou not how many things they testify 
against Thee?" 14 And He did not answer 
him, not even to one word; so that the 
governor greatly wondered. 

15 And at the feast the governor was 
accustomed to release to the multitude one 
prisoner, whom they desired; 16 and they 
then had a noted prisoner called Barabbas. 

17 When, therefore, they were g'athered 
together, Pilate said to them, " Whom do 
ye desire that I should release to you? 
Barabbas or Jesus Who is called Christ?" 

18 For he knew that because of envy they 
delivered Him up. 

19 And, while he was sitting on the 
judgment seat, his wife sent to him, say- 
ing, "'Home nothing to do with that Right- 
eous One; for I suffered many things to- 
day in a (iream because of Him." 

20 But the high priests and the elders 
persuaded the multitudes, that they should 
ask for Barabbas, and destroy Jesus. 21 
And the governor, answering, said to them, 
"Which of the two do ye desire that I 
should release to you? " And they saidy 
"Barabbas." 

22 Pilate says to them, "What, then, 
shall I do to Jesus Who is called Christ?'* 
They all say, "Let Him be crucified." 

23 But he said, " Why, what evil did He 
perform ? " And they were crying out the 
more, saying, "Let Him be crucified 1 " 

24 And Pilate, seeing that it availed 
nothing, but rather a tvimult was being 
made, taking water, washed his hands be- 
fore the multitude, saying, " I am innocent 
of ^ the blood of this Man. Ye shall see to 



1 Gr. From: 



6 Treasury; the place where the contributions of the 
people for the support of the temple were kept. 

Potter's yield; a place where earthenware had been; 
made. Strangers; those who came from other countries, 
and might die in Jerusalem while on a visit there. 

Until this day; at the time Matthew wrote this Gospel. . 
The thirty pieces of silver; this is not in Jeremiah, but 
inZech. 11:12, 13. 

14 The governor greatly wondered; at the silence of 
Jesus, Who put in no plea to save Himself. No one there 
but Jesus knew that He came into the world for the ex- 
;s purpose of dying on the cross, to expiate human 
guilt; hence He did not wish to clear Himself, (Isa. 53:7). 

18 Envy; at His growing popularity and growing influ- 
ence among the people. 

19 That Righteous One; do not condemn Him— take no- 
part against Him. 

20 Should ask for Barabbas; they deliberately chose & 
robber and murderer instead of Jesus I 



MATTHEW 



51 



ity 25 And all the people, answering, 
said, " His blood ie upon us, and upon our 
children." 

26 Then he released to them Barabbas; 
but, having scourged Jesus, he delivered 
Him up to be crucified. 

JESUS MOCKED BY THE ROMAN SOLDIERS. 

27 Then the soldiers of the governor, 
taking Jesus into the Praetorium, gathered 
to Him the whole band. 28 And, having 
stripped Him, they put on Him a scarlet 
robe; 29 and, having platted a crown of 
thorns, they put it on His head, and a reed 
in His right hand; and, kneeling before 
Him, they mocked Him, saying, "Hail, 
King of the Jews!" 30 And, having spit 
on Hira, they took the reed, and smote 
Him on the head; 31 and, when they 
mocked Him, they took off the robe from 
Him, and put on His own garments, and 
led Him away to crucify Him. 

THE CRUCIFIXION. 

32 And, coming out, they found a man 
of Cyrene, Simon by name: him they im- 
pressed to bear the cross. 33 And, having 
come to a place called Grolgotha, that is to 
say " Place of a skull," 34 they gave Him 
to drink wine mingled with gall; and, hav- 
ing tasted it^ He would not drink. 

35 And, having crucified Him, they di- 
vided His garments among them, casting 
lots; 36 and, sitting down, they watched 
Him there. 37 And they put over His head 



His accusation, "THIS IS JESUS THE 
KING OF THE JEWS." 38 Then are 
there crucified with Him two robbers, one 
on the right hand and one on the left. 

39 And those passing by were reviling 
Him, wagging their heads, 40 and saying, 
"Thou Who destroyest the temple and 
buildest it in three days, save Thyself: if 
Thou art the Son of God, come down from 
the cross." 41 Likewise also the high 
priests, mocking, with the scribes and 
elders, were saying, 42 " Others He saved. 
Himself He cannot save! King of Israel 
is He! let Him now come down from the 
cross, and we will believe Him! 43 He 
has trusted in God; let Him deliver Him 
now, if He desires Him; because He said, 
'I am God's Son.'" 

44 And the robbers, who were crucified 
with Him, were reproaching Him with the 
same thing. 

45 And from the sixth hour there came 
darkness over all the land until the ninth 
hour. 46 And, about the ninth hour, Jesus 
cried with a loud voice, saying, " Eli, Eli, 
LAMA SABACHTHANi ? " that is, "My God! 
My God! Why didst Thou forsake Me!" 

47 And some of those standing there, 
hearing it, said, " This One is calling for 
Elijah. 48 And straightway one of them, 
running and taking a sponge, and filling it 
with vinegar, and putting it on a reed, was 
giving Him to drink. 49 But the rest said, 
" Let alone! Let us see whether Elijah is 
coming to save Him! " 



25 Sis blood be on us and on our children: what a fearful 
imprecation, and how fearfully it has been realized for 
nearly nineteen centuries I Until the establishment of 
liberty in North America, the Jews, since A. D. 70, have 
suffered untold horrors 1 

26 Scourged Jesus; according to the inhuman custom of 
punishing a criminal before his execution! 

27 PrcBtorium; the governor's palace, 

28 A scarlet robe; in mockery of His claim to kingship; 
a purple or scarlet robe being a badge of royalty, 

29 A crown of thorns, ... a reed; to complete their 
mockery, they put a crown of thorns on His head, and a 
reed, as a scepter, in His hand. 

32 Cyrene; a city in northern Africa, Bear His cross; 
they put the cross on Jesus first (John 19:17), but after- 
wards laid it on Simon. 

33 A place called Oolgotha; outside the city, (see Heb. 
13:12). Golgotha means a skull, or place of a skull. 

34 Wine mingled with gall; some suppose that this was 
designed to soothe the pains of the sufferers; this, how- 
ever, is improbable, as compassion seemed not to be an 
element in these cruel tomentors. Any how, Jesus did not 
drink it; for He did not desire to make His sufferings less. 
He wished to drink the last drop of this bitter cup, (see Ps. 
69:21), 



35 Casting lots; to see who should have any particular 
piece, (Ps. 22:18). 

36 Watched Him there; to see that no one should take 
Him down until orders were given to remove Him from the 
cross. 

38 Two robbers; He was numbered with the transgress- 
ors, (Isa. 53:12). 

40 Destroy the temple; one of their false accusations 
against Him, (ch. 26:61; John 2:19-21). 

42 Himself He cannot save; this was false, in the sense 
in which they used the expression; but true la the sense 
that He would not escape the death He had chosen to die, 
as the sacrifice that was to put away sin, (Heb. 9:26). 

44 The robbers . . . with the same thing; they joined 
with the rabble in upbraiding Jesus for a time; but one of 
them repented later, (see Luke 23:39-43). 

45 Sixth hour; twelve o'clock. 

46 Eli; a Chaldaio word, as then used in Judaea, mean- 
ing "My God." The whole expression Eli, Eli, lama 
sabachthani, is translated, "My God, My God, why didst 
Thou forsake Me. " We will probably never know the full 
meaning of what the Saviour experienced at the moment 
when the Father forsook Eiml That was part of the suf- 
fering Jesus had to endure in putting away sin I (see Ps. 
22:1). 



52 



MATTHEW 



50 And Jesus, crying again with a loud 
voice, yielded^ up His spirit. 

. 51 And, behold, the veil of the temple 
was rent in two, from top to bottom; and 
the earth was shaken; and the rocks were 
rent; 52 and the tombs were opened; and 
many bodies of the saints who had fallen 
asleep were raised; 53 and, coming forth 
out of the tombs after His resurrection, 
they entered into the holy city, and ap- 
peared to many. 

54 And the centurion, and those with 
him watching Jesus, seeing the earth- 
quake, and the things that were taking 
place, were exceedingly frightened, say- 
ing, "Truly, This was God's Son!" 

55 And many women were there, behold- 
ing from afar, who followed Jesus from 
Galilee, ministering to Him; 66 among 
whom were Mary Magdalene, and Mary 
the mother of James and Joses, and the 
mother of the sons of Zebedee. 

57 And, evening having come, there 
came a rich man from Arimathsea, whose 
name was Joseph, who also himself was a 
disciple* of Jesus. 58 This man, going to 



2 Or. dismissed. 3 Gr. Diseipled. 



Pilate, asked for the body of Jesus. Then 
Pilate ordered it to be given up. 59 And, 
taking the body, Joseph wrapped it in 
clean linen, 60 and laid it in his own new 
tomb, which he hewed out in the rock; and, 
having rolled a great stone to the door of 
the tomb, he went away. 61 And Mary 
Magdalene was there, and the other Mary, 
sitting over against the sepulchre. 

THE SEPULCHKE SEALED AND GUARDED. 

62 And on the morrow which, indeed, is 
the day after the Preparation, the high 
priests and the Pharisees were gathered 
together to Pilate, 63 saying, "Sir, we 
were reminded that that Deceiver said, 
while yet living, 'After three days I rise 
again;' 64 order, therefore, that the 
sepulchre be made secure until the third 
day, lest haply His disciples, coming, 
should steal Him away, and say to the peo- 
ple, ' He was raised from the dead; ' and 
the last error will be worse than the first." 

65 And Pilate said to them, " Ye have a 
guard; go your way, secure it, as ye know 
howP %^ And, going, they made the 
sepulchre secure, sealing the stone, in con- 
nection with the guard. 



50 Yielded up His spirit ; gave up His life— expired. 

51 Veil of the temple; that which separated " the holy 
of holies " from other parts of the temple. By this rend- 
ing of the veil was signified that now the way Into God's 
presence was opened by the blood of Jesus Christ, (Heb. 
9:7. 8; 10:19, 20). 

52 Who had fallen asleep; who had died in the Lord. 
Arose; but not till Christ's resurrection, as it Is added in 
the next verse. 

53 The holy city; Jerusalem. 

54 Centurion: commander of a hundred men— who was 
the officer in command, when Jesus was crucified. Truly 
this was the Son of God; as He had professed to be. 

57 And evening having come; some time after three 
o'clock, but we don't know just how long in this case. 

58 Aslced for the body of Jems; God, no doubt, put it 
into the heart of Joseph to do this. 



60 Sis own new tomb; thus was fulfilled the prophecy, 
" With the rich in His death," (Isa. 53:9). 

64 The sepulchre to be Tnade secure; to prevent the body 
of Jesus from being taken out of it by His disciples. Last 
error worse than the first; the first error, as they thought, 
was the influence that Jesus exerted over the people; now, 
it they should steal Him out of the tomb, and make the 
people believe that He had risen from the grave, the evil 
would be increased. 

66 Mcide it secure; by sealing the stone and stationing a 
guard over it. 

But all the powers of men and demons could not prevent 
Jesus from rising from the dead. He had died, and had 
been buried; and by His death He had put away sin; but 
now He rises from the dead, that we may get His resur- 
rection life. 



CHAPTEE XXVni. 

THE EESURRECTION. 

1 Now late in the week,^ at the dawning 
of the first day of another week, came 
Mary Magdalene and the other Mary to see 
the sepulchre. 



1 2fear the end of the seven days. 



2 And, behold, there occurred a great 
commotion; for an angel of the Lord, de- 
scending out of Heaven, and coming near, 
rolled away the stone, and was sitting upon 
it. 3 And his appearance was as lightning, 
and his raiment white as snow; 4 and, 
from fear of him, those keeping watch 
were shaken, and became as dead. 



NOTES ON CHAPTER XXVIII. 

1 Late in the week; or near the end of the sabbath. At 
the dawning of the first day of another week; referring to 
the first day after the Jewish sabbath— which is the Chris- 
tian Sunday. 



2 Oreat commotion; among the guard, because of the 
appearance of the angel, and his work in rolling away the 
stone. 

3, 4 The appearance of the angel together with the work 
he did made the keepers shake— wiaeh is the word used 
above translated commotion. 



MATTHEW 



53 



5 And the angel, answering, said to the 
women, "Fear not; for I know that ye are 
seeking Jesus Who hath been crucified. 6 
He is not here; for He arose, as Ho said. 
Come! see the place where the Lord was 
lying; 7 and, going quickly, say to His 
disciples, 'He arose from the dead;' and, 
behold, He is going before you into Gali- 
lee; there shall ye see Him; behold, I told 
you." 

8 And, departing quickly from the sepul- 
chre, with fear and great joy, they ran to 
announce it to His disciples, 

9 And, behold, Jesus met them, saying, 
"Rejoice!" And they, coming to Him, 
held His feet, and worshiped Him. 10 
Then Jesus saith to them, "Fear not, go 
your way, announce to My brethren that 
they go away into Galilee, and there shall 
they see Me." 

THE STORT OF THE SOLDIERS. 

11 And, as they were going, behold, some 
of the guard going into the city, reported 
to the high priests all that had happened. 
12 And, having gathered together with 



the elders, and having taken counsel, they 
gave a large sum of silver to the soldiers, 
13 saying, "Say ye that His disciples, 
coming by night, stole Him, while we were 
sleeping. 14 And, if this be heard by the 
governor, we will persuade him, and make 
you devoid of care." 

15 And thej% taking the silver, did as 
they were instructed. And this account 
was spread abroad among the Jews, until 
this day. 

THE GREAT COMIHISSION. 

16 And the eleven disciples went into 
Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus ap- 
pointed them; 17 and seeing Him, they 
worshiped Him., but some doubted. 18 
And Jesus, coming near, spake to them, 
saying, "All authority was given to Me 
in Heaven and on earth: 19 going, there- 
fore, disciple ye all the nations, immersing 
them into the name of the Father, and of 
the Son, and of the Holy Spirit; 20 teach- 
ing them to observe all things, whatsoever 
I commanded you; and behold, I am with 
you all the days, even to the end of the 
age." 



6 He is not here, for He arose; this is the testimony of 
the angel to the women, Mary Magdalene and the other 
Mary, or Mary the wife of Cleophas and mother of James 
(the less) and Joses. The Lord; the Lord of angels and of 
men. 

9 Held His feet; Jesus manifests Himself to them; and 
they embrace His feet, and worship Him. 

10 My hrethren; the disciples ot Jesus. O isn't it an in- 
finite honor to have such a brother as Jesus? 

U The guard; those appointed to guard the tomb ot 
Jesus, to prevent His being stolen away. 

13 Having taTten counsel; the murderers ot Jesus are now 
planning to prevent His resurrection from becoming 
known 1 

13 His disciples stole Him while we were sleeping; if they 
were sleeping, how could they know what took place! 
Such testimony would be utterly worthless before any 
court of justice. 

14 Persuade him; influence Pilate not to punish you. 
Mdkevou devoid of care; relieve you of all anxiety in re- 
gard to the matter, " A large sum of silver " would likely 
have silenced Pilate, as it did the guard. 

15 This account; that "the soldiers came by night and 
stole Him away while we slept. " Until this day; the time 
when this Gospel of Matthew was written. 



17 They worshiped Him; as their Divine Lord and Risen 
Saviour. Some doubted; whether the resurrection had 
really taken place. 

18 All authority was given; probably when, after His 
resurrection. He ascended to His Father. Before His as- 
cension to the Father, He would not suffer His disciples to 
touch Him, (see John 20:17); but in v. 9, they were 
not forbidden to touch Him. Hence, He must have as- 
cended between these two accounts of meeting Him. Then 
it was. most likely, that the Father conferred upon Him. 
all rightful authority in Heaven and on earth. 

19 Therefore; because I have all authority. Disciple all 
the nations; preach the Gospel to them, and thus lead them 
to become disciples of Jesus. Immersing them; on a pro- 
fession of their personal faith in the Personal Christ. Not 
once into the name of the Father, once into the name of 
the Son. and once into the name of the Holy Spirit; but 
once into the name of the Triune God. People are not 
buried three times, but once, (see Rom. 6:4; Col. 2:12). 

20 Teaching them to ohserve all things; the Gospel, after 
the resurrection, was not to be diminished in its scope, but 
enlarged rather. How important it is that God's children 
should believe, practice, and propagate every item con- 
tained in the Gospel of Jesus Christ; omitting nothing, 
adding nothing. 



THE — 



GOSPEL ACCOROIlSrG TO MARK. 



Mark, the author of the second Gospel, is believed to be the same as John Mark, referred to in Acts 12-12 25- 
15:37: Col. 4:10, etc. He was the son of Mary, and cousin of Barnabas. He was probably converted through' the 
instrumentality of Peter, (I Peter 5:13). He was a companion of Paul in his first missionary journey as far as Pam- 
phylia, and then turned back, and went to Jerusalem; causing Barnabas and Paul to separate, (see Acts 13-13- 15-3«-39) 

Mark's Gospel seems to have been written more especially for the eentile Christians. He omits all geneaiogioai 
tables; and begins with the ministry of John, which leads speedily to the immersion of Jesus, His active ministry 
and into the midst of His mighty works. His Gospel seems peculiarly suited to the Romans, who were so familiar 
with power. Jesus is here presented as the Servant of God, and as One busy in executing His will, 

CONTENTS. 

I, Jesus at the Jordan, immersed by John, (1:1-13), II. His ministry in and near Capernaum, (1-14— IV34) 
III. His ministry on both sides of the sea of Galilee, (IV:35— VII :23). IV, His ministry on the northern parts (VII- 
24-31). V. Hisministry at the sea of Galilee again, (VII :32— VIII :26). VI. His ministry near Ceesarea PhillpDl' 
(Vm:27— IX:29). (His transfiguration, IX :2-8). VII. Hislast journey to Jerusalem, (IX:3b—X:52). VIII AtJeru- 
salem and Bethany. (XI:1— XVI:8). [Including His betrayal, crucifixion, burial, and resurrection], 

iV. B.— Mark's Gospel has much in coinmon with that of Matthew, and also of Luke. 



MARK. 

CHAPTER I. 

1 The beginning of the Gospel of Jesus 
Christ, Go(i's Son. 2 As it has been ■writ- 
ten in Isaiah^ the prophet, " Behold, I send 
My messenger before Thy face, 'who shall 
prepare Thy 'way; 3 the voice of one cry- 
ing in the 'wilderness, 'Prepare ye the way 
of the Lord, make His path straight.' " 

4 And John came, who was immersing 
in the wilderness, and preaching the im- 
mersion of repentance unto remission of 
sins. 5 And there went out to him all the 
country of Judtea and all those of Jerusa- 
lem, and were being immersed by him in 
the river Jordan, confessing their sins. 6 
And John was clothed in camel's hair, and 
had a leathern girdle about his loins, and 
ate locusts and wild honey. 7 And he 
■preached, saying, " There cometh after me 
He Who is mightier than I, the latchet of 
Whose shoes I am not worthy, stoop- 
ing down, to loose. 8 I im m ersed you 
in water; but He will immerse you in the 
Holy Spirit." 

9 And it came to pass in those days that 
Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee, and 
was immersed by John into the Jordan. 

10 And straightway coming up out of the 
water, he^ saw the heavens rent apart, and 
the Spirit as a dove descending upon Him. 

11 And a voice came out of Heaven, say- 
ing, " Thou art My Son, the beloved, in 
Whom I was delighted." 



1 Some Mss. read, in the prop/icis. 2 See John 1:32, 33. 

NOTES ON CHAPTER I. 

2 Mv messenae?-; Isa. 40:3; Mai. 3:1 ; Matt. 3:3. 
3-8 John the Immerser ; Matt. 3:1-12. 

9 11 Jesus was immersed: Matt. 3:13-17. 

15 The time has been fuinUed; the time for theappear- 



12 And straightway the Spirit driveth 
Him forth into the wilderness. 13 And 
He was in the wilderness forty days 
tempted by Satan; and He was with the 
wild beasts; and the angels were minister- 
ing to Him. 

14 And, after John was delivered up, 
Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the 
Gospel of God, 15 and saying, " The time 
has been fulfilled, and the Kingdom of God 
has come near. Repent ye, and believe in 
the Gospel." 

CALL or SIMON, ANDREW^ JAMES AND 
JOHN. 

16 And, passing along by the sea of Gal- 
ilee, He saw Simon and Andrew, Simon's 
brother, casting a net in the sea; for they 
were fishers. 17 And Jesus sai(i to them, 
"Come after Me, and I will make you 
to become fishers of men." 18 And 
straightway, leaving the nets, they followed 
Him. 19 And going on a little further. 
He saw James, the son of Zebedee, anci 
John his brother, and those in the ship 
mending the nets. 20 And straightway 
He called them; and leaving their father 
Zebedee in the boat, with the hired serv- 
ants, they went away after Him. 

HEALS ONE OF AN TJNCLEAN SPIRIT. 

21 And they go into Capernaum; and 
straightway on the sabbath, going into the 
synagogue, He was teaching. 22 And 
they were astonished at His teaching; for 
He was teaching them as having authority, 

ance of the long-promised Messiah. Deut. 18:18; Isa. 9:6; 
Dan. 9:24-27. etc. 

16-20 Christ calls His first disciples; Matt. 4:18-22; 
Luke 5:4-11. 

22 As having authority; Matt. 7:29. 



MARK 



55 



and not as the scribes. 23 And straight 
way there was in the synagogue a man 
with an unclean spirit. And he cried out, 
24 saying, " What is there to us and Thee, 
I Jesus, Nazarene? didst Thou come to de- 
1 stroy us? I know Thee Who Thou art, the 
: Holy One of God." 25 And Jesus rebuked 
[ it, saying, "Be silent, and come out of 
him." 26 And the unclean spirit, having 
I convulsed him, and having cried with a 
i loud voice, came out of him. 27 And they 
were all amazed, insomuch that they ques- 
tioned among themselves, saying, " What 
is this? A new teaching! With authority 
He commandeth even the unclean spirits, 
and they obey Him! " 28 And the report 
of Him went out straightway everywhere 
into the whole region of Galilee round 
about. 

HE HEAXS Simon's mothek-in-law. 

29 And, straightway coming out of the 
synagogue, they came into the house of 
Simon and Andrew, with James and John. 
■ 30 And Simon's mother-in-law was lying 
sick with fever, and straightway they tell 
Him of her; 31 and, coming to her, He 
raised her up, having taken her by the 
hand; and the fever left her, and she was 
ministering to them. 32 And at evening, 
when the sun did set, they were bringing 
to Him all who were sick, and those pos- 
sessed with demons. 33 And the whole 
<;ity was gathered together at the door. 3-i 
And He healed many that were sick with 
many kinds of diseases, and cast out many 
-demons; and He did not permit the demons 



to speak, because they knew Him [to be 
the Christ]. 

35 And, having risen very early, by 
night. He went out into a desert place, 
and was there praying. 36 And Simon 
and those with Him ^ followed after Him, 
37 and found Him, and say to Him, "All 
are seeking Thee." 38 And He saith to 
them, " Let us go elsewhere into the neigh- 
boring towns, that I may preach there 
also; for to this end I came forth." 39 
And He went into their synagogues, 
throughout all Galilee, preaching; and 
casting out the demons. 

A LEPER CLEANSED. 

40 And there comes to Him a leper, be- 
seeching Him, and kneeling down to Him, 
and saying to Him, "If Thou wilt. Thou 
canst cleanse me! " 41 And Jesus, moved 
with compassion, and stretching forth His 
hand, touched him, and saith to him, "I 
am willing; be cleansed." 42 And straight- 
way the leprosy departed from him, and 
he was cleansed. 43 And having strictly 
charged him, He straightway sent him 
away, 44 and saith to him, " See that you 
say nothing to any one, but go, show your- 
self to the priest, and offer for your cleans- 
ing what Moses directed, for a testimony 
to them." 45 But he, going forth, began 
to publish it much, and to spread abroad 
the matter;* so that He could no more 
openly enter into a city, but was without 
in desert places. And they were coming 
to Him from every quarter. 



Or. him. i Gr. Word. 



23 JTe cried; or the demon cried through him. 

24 What is there to us and Thee: what common interest 
have we ? What have we to do with Thee, or what hast 
Thou to do with us ? The demons recognized Christ, and 
ieared Him. 

25 Be silent; Jesus did not wish to be heralded as the 
Messiah by demons. 

27 A new teaching; such as they had not heard before 
Taut, since it was backed up by mighty works and author- 
ity, they should have listened to Him. 

35 And was there praying; O that Christians now had a 
-similar spirit 1 



37 All are seeking Thee; if this referred to the crowd of 
disciples then present, it was no doubt true; but. if it re- 
ferred to all men, of course, it must be taken as meaning 
some 7nen. 

38 To this end T came forth; viz., that He might preach, 
in many places. 

40 If Thou vMt; Matt. 8:2-4. 

43, 44 Having strictly charged him; not to make it known. 
See note on Matt. 8:4. 

45 Could no more openly enter into a city; because of the 
great crowds that thronged Him. 



CHAPTER n. 

1 And, having entered again into Caper 
Tiaum after some days, it was heard that 
He was in the house. 2 And many were 
gathered together, so that there was no 

' NOTES ON CHAPTER II. 



longer room, not even about the door; and 
He was speaking the word to them. 3 And 
they come, bringing to Him a paralytic, 
borne by four. 4 And not being able to 
bring him to Him because of the crowd, 

erally so rendered as to distinguish it from the aorist indic- 
ative that denotes a momentary past act. 
3 .Bor«« 6y /our; Matt. 9:2-7. 



56 



MAEK 



they uncovered the roof where He was; 
and, having broken it up, they let down 
the bed on which the paralytic was lying. 
5 And Jesus, seeing their faith, saith to 
the paralytic, "Child, your sins are for- 
given." 6 But there were some of the 
scribes sitting there, and reasoning in their 
hearts, 7 "Why doth this Man speak thus? 
He blasphemes! Who can forgive sins but 
One, God?" 8 And straightway Jesus, 
perceiving in His spirit that they so reason 
within themselves, saith to them, "Why 
do ye reason these things in your hearts? 
9 Which is easier, to say to the paralytic, 
'Your sins are forgiven,' or to say, 'Arise, 
and take up your bed, and walk? ' 10 But, 
that ye may know the Son of Man hath 
authority on earth to forgive sins (He saith 
to the paralytic), 11 I say to you, take 
up your bed, and, go to your house." 12 
And he arose, and, straightway taking up 
the bed, went forth before them all; so that 
all were amazed, and glorified God, saying, 
"We never saw it thus ! " 

13 And He went again by the sea; and 
all the multitude were coming to Him, and 
He was teaching them. 

HE CALLS LEVI OR MATTHEW. 

14 And passing by. He saw Levi, the 
son of Alphseus, sitting at the tax-office, 
and saith to him, "Follow Me." And, 
rising up, he followed Him. 

15 And it comes to pass that He reclines 
at table in his house, and many tax-collect- 
ors and sinners recline with Him and His 
disciples; for there were many, and they 
were following Him. 16 And the scribes 
and the Pharisees, seeing that He was eat 
ing with the sinners and tax-collectors, said 
to His disciples, "Why doth He eat with 
the tax-collectors and sinners?" 17 And 



4 Uncovered the roof; dug it out. or broke it up. The 
Toofs were flat, and covered with material that could be 
removed without great injury to the house. 

5 Seeing their faith; their faith in Him as the Healer of 
the people. 

8 Perceiving in ITis spirit: understanding their secret 
thoughts, and knowing just what they were thinking of, 

10 Authwity on earth to foraive sins; Jesus had the 
right to forgive sins, but not apart from His vicarious 
suffering. He had Himself to bear the sins that He for 
gave. 

11 Bed; a small couch on which he had been lying. 



Jesus, hearing it, says to them, "Those 
who are well need not a physician, but 
those who are sick. I came not to call the 
righteous, but sinners." 

18 And John's disciples and the Phari- 
sees were fasting; and they come and say 
to Him, "Why do John's disciples and the 
disciples of the Pharisees fast, but Thy dis- 
ciples fast not?" 19 And Jesus said to 
them, " Can the sons of the bridechamber 
fast, while the bridegroom is with them? 
As long as they have the bridegroom with 
them, they cannot fast; 20 but there will 
come days when the bridegroom will be 
taken away from them, and then they will 
fast in that day. 21 No one sews a piece 
of unshrunk cloth on an old garment; else 
the patch takes from it, the new from the 
old, and a worse rent is made. 22 And no 
one puts new wine into old wine-skins; 
else the wine will burst the skins, and the 
wine perishes, and the skins; but they put 
new wine into fresh wine-skins." 

23 And it came to pass that He was go- 
ing on the sabbath through the grainfields; 
and His disciples began to make a way, 
plucking the heads of grain. 24 And the 
Pharisees said to them, "Behold, why are 
they doing on the sabbath that which is not 
lawful ? " 25 And He said to them, ' ' Did 
ye never read what David did, when he 
had need, and was hungry, he and those 
who were with him? 26 How he entered 
into the house of God during the high 
priesthood of Abiathar, and ate the show- 
bread, which it is not lawful to eat except 
for the priests, and gave also to those who 
were with him? " 27 And He said to them, 
"The sabbath was made for man, and not 
man for the sabbath; 28 so then tlite Son, 
of Man Ls Lord even of the sabbath." 



12 We never Saw it thus; we never saw any one heal a- 
paralytic in this way. 

13 By the sea; of Galilee; Matt. 4:18. 

14 Levi; same as Matthew; Matt. 9:9. 

15-17 Jesus eats with tax-collectors; Matt. 9:10-13. 

18-22 J^'asimc; Matt. 9:14-17. 

23-25 Plucking heads of grain; Matt. 12:1-4. 

28 Lord even of the sabbath; the sabbath came from 
Jesus as One of the Godhead; and He had a right to ful- 
fill it. or abrogate it, and give His followers a different 
day. to be observed, not with painful austerities, but in. 
the freedom of a new life in Him. 



CHAPTER in. 

A WITHERED HAND HEALED. 

1 And He entered again into the syna- 
gogue; and there was a man there, having 



his hand withered. 2 And they were 
watching Him, whether He would heal 
him on the sabbath; that they might accuse 
Hirn. 3 And He saith to the man hav- 
ing the withered hand, "Arise in the 



MARK 



midst." 4 And He saith to them, "Is it 
lawful on the sabbath to do good, or to do 
harm, to save a life,^ or to kill? " But they 
were silent. 5 And having looked roun'd 
about on them with anger, and being 
grieved at the hardness of their heart, He 
saith to the man, "Stretch forth your 
hand." And he stretched it forth; and his 
hand was restored. 6 And the Pharisees, 
having gone out, were straightway taking 
counsel with the Herodians against Him, 
how they might destroy Him. 

7 And Jesus with His disciples withdrew 
to the sea; and a great multitude from 
Galilee followed ///wi; and from Judaea, 8 
and from Jerusalem, and from Idumoea, 
and beyond the Jordan, and about Tyre 
and Sidon, a great multitude, hearing what 
things He was doing, came to Him. 9 
And He spake to His disciples, that a little 
boat should wait on Him, lest they should 
throng Him; 10 for He had healed many, 
so that as many as had plagues pressed^ 
upon Him, that they might touch Him. 11 
And the unclean spirits, whensoever they 
were beholding Him, were falling down 
before Him, and crying, saying, "Thou art 
the Son of God." 12 And He was charg- 
ing them much, that they should not make 
Him manifest. 

HE APPOINTS THE TWELVE. 

13 And He goeth up into the mountain, 
and called to Himself tlioHe whom He 
wished. 14 And He . appointed twelve 
[whom He also named apostles], that they 
might be with Him, and that He might 
send them forth to preach, 15 and to have 
authority to cast out demons. 16 And to 
Simon He added the name Peter; 17 and 
James the son of Zebedee, and John the 
brother of James, (and He added to these 
the name "Boanerges," that is, "sons of 
thunder"); 18 and Andrew, and Philip, 
and Bartholomew, and Matthew, and 



Thomas, and James the 8on of Alphicus, 
and Thaddseus, and Simon the Canantean, 
19 and Judas Iscariot, who also betrayed ' 
Him. 

And He cometh into a house. 20 And 
the multitude comes together again, so that 
they could not even eat bread. 21 And, 
hearing of it. His kinsmen* went out to 
lay hold on Him; for they said, " He be- 
came insane!" 22 And the scribes who 
came down from Jerusalem said, " He hath 
Beelzebub, and by the ruler of the demons 
casteth out the demons." 23 And, having 
called them to Hlm^ He said to them in par- 
ables, "How can Satan cast out Satan? 24 
And if a kingdom be divided against itself, 
that kingdom cannot stand. 25 And if a 
house be divided against itself, that house 
will not be able to stand. 26 And, if 
Satan did arise against himself, and was 
divided, he cannot stand, but has an end. 
27 Bvxt no one is able, after having entered 
into the house of the strong man, to plun- 
der his goods, except he first bind the 
strong man; and then will he plunder his 
house. 28 Verily I say to you, all the sins 
will be forgiven the sons of men, and the 
blasphemies whatsoever they blaspheme; 
29 but whosoever blasphemes against the 
Holy Spirit has no forgiveness forever, 
but is guilty of an eternal sin; 30 because 
they said, 'He hath an unclean spirit.' " 

31 And His mother and His brothers 
come; and, standing without, they sent to 
Him, calling Him. 32 And a multitude 
was sitting about Him; and they say to 
Him, "Behold, Thy mother and Thy 
brothers without are seeking for Thee." 
33 And, answering them, He saith, " Who 
is My mother, and My brothers?" 34 
And looking around on those who sat about 
Him, He saith, " Behold, My mother, and 
My brothers! 35 For whosoever does the 
will of God, the same is My brother, and 
sister, and mother." 



1 Gr. Soul. 2 Gr. Fell upon. 



Or. delivered Him. up. i Gr. Those from Him. 



NOTES ON CHAPTER III. 
5 With anger: with holy indignation at their terrible 
wickedness. 

7 The sea; sea of Galilee. 

8 Idumxa; a country of Edom. south of Palestine. 
which was settled hy the descendants of Esau. Beyond 
the Jordan: on the east side of the river. Tyre and Sid 
see Matt. 11:21. 

11 ^Yere falling down before Him; the people who had 
the evil spirits fell down before Him. 

12 Not to make Him manifest: to make Him known as 



the Messiah. Demons were not the proper heralds of His 
Messiahship. 

21 His kinsmen; literally, "those from Him." or from 
His family. See v. 31 below. He became insane; His kin- 
dred thought He had lost His mind, and now they propose 
to take Him in charge. 

22-27 Casting out demons by Beelzebub: Matt. 12:24-27. 

28 All sins will be forgiven: on repentance and faith. 

29 Has no forgiveness forever; from the moment the 
unpardonable sin is committed, forgiveness becomes im- 
possible; see Matt. 12:32. 



f 



58 



MAKK 



CHAPTER IV. 

1 And again He began to teach by the 
seaside. And there is gathered to Him a 
very great multitude, so that He, having 
entered into a boat, was sitting in the sea; 
and all the multitude were by the sea on 
the land. 

THE PAKABLE OF THE SOWER. 

2 And He taught them many things in 
parables, and said to them in His teaching, 
3 "Hearken! behold the sower went forth 
to sow. 4 And it came to pass, as he 
sowed, some seed fell by the wayside, and 
the birds came and devoured it. 5 And 
other fell on the rocky ground, where it 
liad not much earth; and straightway it 
sprang up, because of not having depth of 
earth; 6 and, when the sun rose, it was 
scorched; and, because it had no root, it 
was dried up. 7 And other fell among the 
thorns; and the thorns sprang up, and 
choked it, and it yielded no fruit. 8 And 
others fell into the good ground, and were 
yielding fruit, springing up and growing; 
and bore, thirtyfold, and sixtyfold, and a 
hundredfold." 9 And He said, "He that 
has ears to hear, let him hear." 

THE PAKABLE EXPLAINED. 

10 And, when He was alone, those who 
were about Him with the twelve asked Him 
as to the parables. 11 And He said to 
them, ' ' To you has been given the mystery 
of the Kingdom of God, but to those with- 
out all things are done in parables; 12 that, 
seeing, they may see, and not perceive; and, 
hearing, they may hear, and not under- 
stand; lest haply they should turn, and be 
forgiven." 13 And He saith to them 
"Know ye not this parable? And how 
will ye know all the parables? 14 The 
sower sows the word. 15 And these are 
those by the wayside, where the word is 
sown; and when they hear, straightway 
Satan comes, and catches away the word 
which has been sown in them. 16 And 



these likewise are those sown upon the 
rocky places, who, when they hear the 
word, straightway with joy receive it; 17 
and they have no root in themselves, but 
are onli/ temporary;^ then, when tribula- 
tion or persecution arises on account of the 
word, straightway they stumble. 18 And 
others are those sown among the thorns. 
These are those who heard the word, 19 
and the anxieties of the age, and the de- 
ceitf ulness of riches, and the desires about 
other things entering in, choke the word, 
and it becomes unfruitful. 20 And these 
are the ones sown on the good ground: 
such as hear the word, and receive it, and 
bear fruit, thirtyfold, and sixtyfold, and a 
hundredfold." 

21 And He said to them, "Is the lamp 
brought to be put under the measure, or 
under the bed ! Is it not, that it may be 
put on the lamp-stand? 22 For there is 
nothing hid, except that it should be mani- 
fested; nor was anything made secret, but 
that it should come to light. 23 If any 
one has ears to hear, let him hear." 24 
And He said to them, "Take heed what 
ye hear. With what measure ye mete, it 
shall be measured to you; and more will be 
added. 25 For he that has, to him shall 
be given; and he that has not, from him 
shall be taken away even what he has." 

FIRST THE BLADE 

26 And He said, "So is the Kingdom of 
God, as if a man should cast the seed upon 
the earth; 27 and should sleep and rise 
night and day, and the seed should spring 
up and grow, he knows not how. 28 The 
earth of itself bears fruit; first the blade, 
then the head, then the full grain in the 
head. 29 But, when the fruit permits, 
straightway he puts forth the sickle, be- 
cause the harvest has come." 

THE MUSTARD SEED. 

30 And He said, "How shall we liken 



1 Or, for a season. 



NOTES ON CHAPTER IV. 
3-9 Parable Of the sower; Matt. 13:1-9. 

11 The mystery of the Kirtgdom of God; God delights to 
untold the mysteries of the Gospel to His humble, obe- 
dient, and trusting child, (see John 7:17). 

12 Seeing . . . not perceive; Isa. 6:9. The wilful and 
disobedient cannot understand God's word. 

13-30 See note on Matt. 13:14-83. 
21 Under the measure; containing about a peck. See 
note on Matt. 5:15. 



24 Withwhat measure; the measure of honest effort one 
puts forth to acquire the light will determine the light he 
enjoys. This may also mean that the principles we adopt 
in our dealings with others will be the standard by which 
we will be dealt with. 

26-29 The sowing of seed in the earth, and the spring- 
ing up. growth, find producing fruit. Is an illustration of 
spiritual truth. Growth and frultfulness are indispensi- 
ble to true Christianity. 



MARK 



59 



the Kingdom of God, or in what parable 
shall we set it fortM 31 It is like to a 
grain of mustard, which when it is sown 
upon the earth, though it is less than all 
the seeds that are upon the earth, 32 yet, 
when it is sown, grows up, and becomes 
greater than all the herbs, and puts out 
great branches; so that the birds of the 
heaven can lodge under its shadow." 

33 And with many such parables He 
spake the word to them, as they were able 
to hear it. 34 And without a parable He 
spake not to them; but privately to His 
disciples He explained all things. 

35 And on that day, when evening came, 
He saith to them, "Let us go across to the 
other side." 36 And, leaving the multi- 
tude, they take Him with them, as He was, 



in the boat. And other boats were with 
Him. 37 And there arises a great storm 
of wind, and the waves were beating into 
the boat, so that the boat was now being 
filled. 38 And He Himself was in the stern, 
sleeping on the cushion; and they awake 
Him, and say to Him, "Teacher, is it no 
concern to Thee that we perish ? " 39 And, 
having been roused up. He rebuked the 
wind, and said to the sea, "Peace! be still! " 
And the wind ceased, and there was a great 
calm. 40 And He said to them, "Why 
are ye fearful? Have ye not yet faith?" 
41 And they feared exceedingly,^ and said 
one to another, "Who, then, is This, that 
even the wind and the sea obey Him ! " 



Gr. They feared a great fear. 



31,32 Matt. 13:31.32. 

34 Explained all things; He explained the meaning of 
His parables to His disciples, when He was alone with 
them. 

35 To the other side; to the other side of the sea of Galilee. 



37-41 Christ stilleth the tempest; Matt. 14:23-33. 

40 Have ye not yet faith?; alter witnessing all His mir- 
acles, it seems that they were very slow to believe that 
Christ was the true Messiah, the Maker of all things. 



CHAPTEE V. 

1 And they came to the other side of the 
sea, into the country of the Gerasenes. 2 
And when He came out of the boat, 
straightway there met Him out of the 
tombs a man with an unclean spirit, 3 
who had his dwelling in the tombs; and no 
one could any longer bind him, not even 
with a chain; 4 because he had often been 
bound with fetters and chains, and the 
chains had been torn asxmder by him, and 
the fetters broken in pieces, and no one 
liad strength to tame him. 5 And always, 
night and day, in the tombs and in the 
mountains, he was crying, and cutting 
himself with stones. 6 And, seeing Jesus 
afar off, he ran and worshiped Him; 7 
-and, cr.ying with a loud voice, he says, 
" What is there to me and Thee, Jesus, Son 
of the Most High God? I adjure Thee by 
God, that Thou torment me not! " 8 For 
He said to him, "Come forth, unclean 
spirit, out of the man!" 9 And He asked 
him, " What is your name ? " And he says 
to Him, " My name is Legion, because we 



are many." 10 And he was beseeching 
Him much, that He would not send them 
away out of the country. 11 Now there 
was there by the mountain a great herd of 
swine feeding. 12 And they besought 
Him, saying, " Send us into the swine, that 
we may enter. into them." 13 And He 
permitted them. And, coming out, the 
unclean spirits entered into the swine; and 
the herd rushed down the steep into the 
sea, about two thousand, and were drowned 
in the sea. 14 And those feeding the 
swine fled, and reported it in the city and 
in the countrj^ And they came to see 
what it was that had come to pass. 15 
And they come to Jesus, and behold the 
demoniac sitting, clothed, and having his 
right mind — the one who had had the 
legion, and they were afraid. 16 And 
those who saw it declared to them how it 
befell the demoniac, and concerning the 
swine. 17 And they began to beseech 
Him to depart from their borders. 

18 And, as He was entering into the 
boat, he that had been a demoniac was be- 
seecliing Him, that he might be with Him. 



NOTES ON CHAPTER V. 
\ The other side; the east side of the sea of Galilee. 
2-20 Legion of demons; Matt. 8:28-33. 
2 A man; Matthew mentions two men. 

6 Worshiped JSim; bowed before Him in recognition of 
His power. 

7 I adjure Thee; the demons utter these words through 
the mouth of the poor captive. 



9 Legion; the Roman legion of soldiers was about 6,000. 
Here it means an indefinitely large number. 

15 Sitting, clothed, and having his right mind; this was 
proof that the demons were out. 

18 Was beseeching Him; Jesus granted the request of 
the demons, to go into the swine ; and the request of the 
citizens, that He would depart out of their country; but 
He denied the request of the man who had been relieved 



60 



MARK 



19 And He did not permit him, but saith 
to him, " Go to your house, to your own 
people, and tell them how great things the 
Lord hath done for you, and liow He had 
mercy on you." 20 And he went away, 
and began to publish in Decapolis how 
great things Jesus did for him; and all 
were wondering. 

JAIRUS' DAUGHTER RAISED. 

2i And, Jesus having crossed over in 
the boat again to the other side, a large 
multitude -was gathered to Him; and He 
was by the sea. 22 And there comes one 
of the synagogue-rulers, Jairus by name; 
and, seeing Him, he falls at His feet, 23 
and beseeches Him much, saying, "My 
little daughter is extremely ill; I pray that, 
coming. Thou wilt lay Thy hands upon her, 
that she may be healed^ and live." 24 
And He went away with him; and a great 
multitude was following Him, and they 
were thronging Him. 

25 And a woman, having a flow of blood 
twelve years, 26 and having suffered many 
things under many physicians, and having 
spent all that she had, and having been 
profited nothing, but rather coming into 
the worse state^ 27 having heard the 
things concerning Jesus, 'coming in the 
crowd behind, touched His garment. 28 
For she said, "If I touch even His gar- 
ments, I shall be healed."^ 29 And 
straightway the fountain of her blood was 
dried up; and she felt in her body that she 
was cured of the plague. 30 And straight- 
way Jesus, perceiving in Himself that 
power had gone forth from Him, turning 
about in the crowd, said, " Who touched 
Me?" 31 And His disciples said to Him, 



" Thou seest the multitude thronging Thee, 
and sayest Thou, 'Who touched Me?'" 
32 And He was looking around to see her 
who did this. 33 But the woman, fearing 
and trembling, knowing what was done in 
her, came, and fell down before Him, and 
told Him all the truth. 34 And He said to 
her, "Daughter, yourfaithhas healed^ you; 
go in peace, and be well of your ailment." 
35 While He was yet speaking, they come 
from the synagogue-ruler's house^ saying, 
" Your daughter died; why do you trouble 
the Teacher any further? " 36 But Jesus, 
disregarding the word spoken, saith to the 
synagogue-ruler, "Fear not, only believe." 
37 And He permitted no one to follow 
with Him, except Peter, and James, and 
John the brother of James. 38 And they 
come to the house of the synagogue-ruler; 
and He beholds a tumult, and people weep- 
ing and wailing greatly. 39 And, having 
entered, He saith to them, " Why do ye 
make a tumult, and weep? the child did 
not die, but she is sleeping." 40 And they 
were deriding Him. But He, having put 
them all out, taketh with Him the father 
of the child, and the mother, and those 
with Him, and goeth in where the child 
was. 41 And, having taken hold of the 
child's hand. He saith to her, "Talitha 
cumi;" which is, being interpreted, "Dam- 
sel, (I say to you), arise." 42 And straight- 
way the damsel arose, and walked; for she 
was twelve years old. And straightway 
they were amazed with great amazement. 
43 And He charged them much that no 
one should know this; and He commanded 
that something should be given her to eat. 



Gr. Saved. 



of the demons. This liberated man was needed at home, 
where he would he likely to do the most good. 

20 Decapolis; the land of ten cities, as the name indi- 
cates. This country was mainly east of the Jordan, but 
had some territory on the west side. 

22-43 Jairus' daughter raised from the dead; Matt. 
9:18-26. 

25-34 The healing of the woman having a flow of blood 
comes as an incident on the way to the house of Jairus. 
(Matt. 9:20-22). , 

30 Power had gone forth from Mm; healing power. 

34 Your faith has healed you; literally, saved you. It 
had saved her body from this ailment. And. when one be- 



lieves in Christ as his Saviour, his faith may be said to 
have saved his soul. Full salvation extends to spirit, 
soul, and body, (I Thess. 5:23) ; and those who fail to get 
this threefold salvation are not fully saved. 

36 Only believe; these words were spoken to encourage 
Jairus to believe in Christ, regardless of the report that 
his daughter had died, 

39 The child did not die; so as to remain dead; but her 
present condition will appear to have been but a sleep, 
when she rises up in My strength, 

41 Talitha; a Chaldee word, signifying damsel. Cumi, 
or Kumi: a Hebrew word meaning arise. 



ciples follow Him. 2 And, when the sab- 
bath came, He began to teach in the syna- 
go^e. And many, hearing Jllm^ were 
astonished, saying, "Whence hath this 



CHAPTER VI. 

1 And He went forth thence, and com- 
eth into His own country; and His dis- 



MARK 



61 



Man these things ? " And, " What is the 
wisdom which is given to This Man ? " And, 
" Such mighty works are wrought by His 
hands!" 3 "Is not This the Carpenter, 
the Son of Mary, and brother of James, 
and Joses, and Judas, and Simon? and are 
not His sisters here with us?" And they 
were finding occasion of stumbling in 
Him. 4 And Jesus said to them, "A 
prophet is not without honor, except in 
his own country, and among liis own kin- 
dred, and in his own house." 5 And He 
could there do no mighty work, except 
that, laying His hands on a few sick peo- 
ple, He healed them. 6 And He mar- 
velled because of their unbelief. And He 
was going round about the villages, teach- 
ing. 

THE TWELVE SENT FORTH. 

7 And He calleth to Him the twelve, 
and began to send them forth by two and 
two, and was giving them authority over 
the unclean spirits; 8 and He charged 
them that they should take nothing for the 
way, except a staff only; no bread, no 
wallet, no money in their girdle;^ 9 but 
to go shod with sandals; and He said^ 
put not on two coats. 10 And He said 
to them, "Wheresoever ye enter into a 
house, there abide, till ye depart thence. 
11 And whatsoever place does not receive 
you, and they hear you not, going forth 
thence, shake off the dust under your feet 
for a testimony to them." 12 And, going 
forth, they preached that men should re- 
pent. 13 And they were casting out many 
demons, and were anointing with oil many 
sick people, and were healing them. 

JOHN THE IMMEKSER BEHEADED. 

14 And the king, Herod, heard of Him, 
(for His name became famous), and he*^ 
said, " John the Immerser has risen from 
the dead; and, because of this, the powers 
are working in Him." 15 But others said. 



"//; is Elijah." And others said, "/f in a 
prophet, or as one of the prophets." 16 
But Herod, hearing of Him, said, ''It is 
he whom I beheaded, John, the same was 
raised." 17 For Herod himself, sending 
forth, laid hold upon John, and bound 
him in prison, for the sake of Herodias 
the wife of Philip, his brother, because he 
married her. 18 For John said to Herod, 
"It is not lawful for you to have your 
brother's wife." 19 And Herodias was 
holding it against him, and was wishing to 
kill him; and she could not; 20 for Herod 
was fearing John, knowing that he was 
a righteous and holy man, and he was pre- 
serving* him. 21 And, an opportune day 
having come, when Herod, on his birth- 
day, made a supper for his nobles and for 
the chief captains,* and the chief men of 
Galilee; 22 and the daughter of Herodias 
herself coming in and dancing, it pleased 
Herod and those reclining at table with 
him; and the king said to the damsel, 
" Ask of me whatsoever you wish, and I 
will give it to you." 23 And he swore to 
her, "WTiatsoever you ask of me, I will 
give it to you, unto half of my king- 
dom." 24 And, having gone out, she said 
to her mother, " What shall I ask? " And 
she said, "The head of John the Im- 
merser." 25 And, coming in straight- 
way, in haste, to the king, she asked, say- 
ing, "I wish that you would, forthwith, 
give me on a dish, the head of John the 
Immerser." 26 And, though becoming 
very sorrowful, the king, because of his 
oaths, and those reclining vnth him,, would 
not thwart '^ her. 27 And the king, 
straightway sending off one of his guard, 
gave orders to bring his head; and, de- 
parting, he beheaded him in the prison, 
28 and brought his head on a dish, and 
gave it to the damsel, and the damsel gave 
it to her mother. 29 And, having heard of 



1 Or. purse. 

2 Some Mss. read they. 



Or. keeping hi 
Or. reject. 



',safe. i Gr. Commanders of thousands. 



NOTES ON CHAPTER VI. 

3 The Carpenter; our Saviour, it seems, was a carpen- 
ter by trade. Thus He forever dignified honest labor. 

7-U The twelve sent out; Matt. 10:5-10. 

14-29. .Tohn beheaded; Matt. 14:1-12. 

14 Herod; Herod Antipas. The powers are -working in 
Him; the mighty works done by Christ led Herod to sup- 
pose that this mighty display of power came through 
John restored to life again. The Roman transmigration 
doctrine, or the belief that one person might live in many 



others, made it easy for his guilty conscience to ascribe 
Christ's mighty works to John. 

19 Was holding it against him; Herodias was enraged 
with John the Immerser because he reproved Herod and 
herself for their adulterous union. 

22 The daughter of Herodias herself; some read "his 
daughter;" but. in this event, it would be impossible to 
explain V. 24. which says, "She [the damsel] said to her 
mother. ' What shall I ask ? ' " 

27 Sending one of his guard; meaning here an executioner. 



MAEK 



it, his disciples came and took up his 
corpse, and placed it in a tomb. 

HE FEEDS FIVE THOUSAND. 

30 And the apostles gather themselves 
together to Jesus; and they reported to 
Him all things, whatsoever they did, and 
whatsoever they taught. 31 And He 
saith to them, " Come ye yourselves apart 
into a desert place, and rest yourselves a 
little." For there were many coming and 
going, and they were not finding oppor- 
tunity even to eat. 32 And they went 
away in the boat to a desert place apart. 
33 And the people saw them going on 
their way, and many knew them^ and they 
ran together there on foot from all the 
cities, and outwent them. 34 And, com- 
ing forth, He saw a great multitude, and 
was moved with compassion toward them, 
because they were as sheep not having a 
shepherd; and He began to teach them 
many things. 

35 And, the hour being already late. 
His disciples, coming to Him, said, " The 
place is desert, and the hour is already 
late; 36 send them away, that, having 
gone into the surrounding fields and vil- 
lages, they may buy themselves something 
to eat." 37 But He saith to them, " Give 
ye them to eat." And they said to Him, 
" Going, shall we buy two hundred dena- 
ries worth of loaves, and give them to 
eat?" 38 But He saith to them, "How 
many loaves have ye? go and see." And, 
having ascertained, they say, " Five, and 
two fishes." 39 And He commanded that 
all should recline by companies on the 
grass. 40 And they sat down in ranks, 
by hundreds, and fifties. 41 And, taking 
the five loaves and two fishes, looking up 
to Heaven, He blessed, and broke up the 
loaves, and kept giving to the disciples to 
set before them; and He divided the two 
fishes among them all. 42 And they all 



were satisfied. 43 And they took up 
broken pieces, twelve basketfuls, and from 
the fishes. 44 And those who ate the 
loaves were five thousand men. 

_ 45 And straightway He constrained His 
disciples to enter into the boat, and to go 
before to the other side, to Bethsaida, 
while He Himself sendeth the multitude 
away. 46 And, having taken leave of 
them. He went away into the mountain to 
pray. 47 And, when it was evening, the 
boat was in the midst of the sea, and He 
was alone on the land. 48 And, seeing 
them distressed in rowing, for the wind 
was contrary to them, about the fourth 
watch of the night He cometh to them, 
walking on the sea; and He wished to pass 
by them; 49 but, seeing Him walking on 
the sea, they supposed that it was a ghost, 
and they cried out; 50 for they all saw 
Him; and were troubled. But he straight- 
way talked with them, and saith to them, 
"Be of good courage! it is I, be not 
afraid." 51 And He went up to them into 
the boat; and the wind ceased; and they 
were exceedingly amazed in themselves; 
52 for they did not understand concerning ■ 
the loaves, but their heart was hardened. 

53 And, crossing over, they came upon 
the land to Gennesaret, and anchored 
there. 54 And, when they came out of 
the boat, straightway recognizing Him, 
55 they ran about that whole country, and 
began to carry about on beds those who 
were sick, where they were hearing that 
He was. 56 And wheresoever He was 
entering into villages, or into cities, or 
into the country, they placed the sick in 
the marketplaces, and were beseeching 
Him, that they might touch even the 
border* of His garment; and as many as 
touched were healed.' 



6 Or, fringe. 7 Gr. 



30 The apostles gathered together; to report to Jesus the 
work done on their first missionary tour. (vs. 7-13). 

31 Into a desert place; where they might avoid the large 
crowds, and enjoy a little rest. 

34-44 Five thousand fed; Matt. 14:15-21. 
34 Not having a shepherd; like many congregations of 
the present day. they had no suitable or competent pastor. 



45-52 Christ walUng on the sea; Matt. 14:22-28. 

53-56 The sick healed; Matt. 14:34-36. 

55 San about all that country; hunting up the sick, and 
bringing them to Jesus. This was the sensible thing t» 
And when Christ has full right-of-way in His people, 
the healing of the sick will become a common thing again. 
It is becoming more and more so now. 



CHAPTEE VII. 

1 And there gather together to Him the 
Pharisees, and some of the scribes, who 
came from Jerusalem, 2 and saw that 



some of His disciples ate bread with de- 
filed, that is, unwashed hands. 3 (For the 
Pharisees, and all the Jews, unless they 
wash their hands thoroughly, eat not» 



MAEK 



63 



holding the tradition of the elders; 4 
and, coming from the marketplace, un- 
less they immerse themselves, they do 
not eat; and there are many other things 
which they received to hold; «5, immer- 
sion of cups, and pots, and brazen vessels.*) 
5 And the Pharisees and the scribes ask 
Him, " Why do not Thy disciples walk ac- 
cording to the tradition of the elders, but 
eat with defiled hands ? " 6 And He said 
to them, " Well did Isaiah prophesy con- 
cerning you hypocrites, as it has been 
written, 'This people honor me with their 
lips; but their heart is far from Me. 7 But 
in vain do they worship Me, teaching as 
their doctrines the precepts of men.' 8 
Having left the commandment of God, ye 
hold the tradition of men." 9 And He 
said to them, " Well do ye reject the com- 
mandment of God, that ye may hold your 
tradition! 10 For Moses said, 'Honor 
your father and your mother,' and 'He 
that speaks evil of father or mother, let 
him surely die.' 11 But ye say, 'If a 
man say to his father or mother. That 
wherewith you might be profited by me is 
Corban,' that is, 'an offering 2^0 6'^cc?,' 12 
ye no longer suffer him to do anything 
for his father or his mother; 13 making 
void the word of God by your tradition, 
which ye handed down; and many such 
things ye do." 14 And, again calling the 
multitude. He said to them, "Hear Me, 
all of you, and understand: 15 there is 
nothing from without the man, that, en- 
tering into him, can defile him; but the 
things proceeding out of the man are those 
that defile the man." f 

17 And, when He entered into the house 
from the multitude, His disciples asked of 
Him the parable. 18 And He saith to 
them, "Are ye too thus without under- 
standing? Do ye not perceive that noth- 
ing, entering into a man from without, 
can defile him; 19 because it goes not 



* Some Mss. add and couches. 

tSome ancient Mss. add v. 16: "If any one has ears to 
hear, let him hear." 

NOTES ON CHAPTER VTI. 

3 The tradition of the elders; Matt. 15:1-20. 

4 Immerse themselves; some Mss. read "sprinkle." 
Whether they really immersed themselves or sprinkled 
water upon themselves, it was only a tradition ol theirs 
in this case, and had no religious importance. 

6 Well did Isaiah prophesy; Isa. 29:13-16. 
11 That wherewith . . . Corban; what might have gone 
to support you is an offering to Godl 



into his heart, but into the belly, and 
passes out into the drain ? " This He said, 
making all foods clean. 20 And He said, 
"That which proceeds out of the man, 
that defiles the man. 21 For from within, 
out of the heart of men, proceed evil 
thoughts, fornications, thefts, murders, 
adulteries, 22 covetings, wickednesses, 
deceit, wantonness, an evil eye, blasphemy, 
pride, foolishness: 23 all these evil things 
proceed from within, and defile the 
lan." 

THE CANAANITISH WOMAN's DAUGHTER 
HEALED. 

24 And, rising up. He went thence into 
the borders of Tyre and Sidon; and, en- 
tering into a house. He wished no one to 
know it. And He could not be hid. 25 
But straightway a woman, whose little 
daughter had an unclean spirit, having 
heard of Him, coming, fell down at His 
feet. 26 And the woman was a Greek, a 
Syrophoenician by race. And she kept, 
asking Him to cast forth the demon out 
of her daughter. 27 And He said to her, 
"Suffer the children first to be satisfied; 
for it is not good to take the children's 
bread, and cast it to the little dogs." 28 
But she answered, and says to Him, " Yes, 
Lord; even the little dogs under the table 
eat of the children's crumbs." 29 And 
He said to her, " Because of this word go 
your way; the demon has gone out of 
your daughter." 30 And, going away into 
her own house, she found the child laid 
upon the bed, and the demon gone out. 

A DEAF STAMMERER HEALED. 

31 And again, going forth out of the 
borders of Tyre, He came through Sidon 
to the sea of Galilee, through the midst of 
the borders of Decapolis, 32 And they 
bring to Him one deaf, and speaking with 
difficulty; and they beseech Him to lay His 
hand upon him. 33 And, taking him aside 
from the multitude privately. He put His 
fingers into his ears; and, spitting. He 

24-30 The Syrophoenician woman; Matt. 15:21-28. 

27 Suffer the children first to be satisfied,; the Gospel 
was to be preached to the Jews first. (Matt. 10:5, 6). 

29 Because of this word; this confession, that showed 
both her faith and her humility. The demon has aone out; 
the demon left the daughter just at the time when the 
mother reached the place where she would take no de- 
nial. Many fail to get anything from God, because they 
are not really in earnest. 



64 



MAEK 



touched his tongue; 34 and looking up to 
Heaven, He sighed, and saith to him, 
" Ephphatha," that is, "Be opened." 35 
And his ears were opened, and the bond of 
his tongue was loosed, and he was speak 
ing properly. 36 And He charged them 



that they should tell no one; but the more 
He charged them, the more a great deal 
did they publish it. 37 And they were 
astonished beyond measure, saying, "He 
hath done all things well: He maketh even 
the deaf to hear, and the dumb to speak." 



CHAPTER VIII. 

FOUR THOUSAND FED. 

I In those days, when there was u great 
multitude, and they had nothing to e 
He called to Him His disciples, and saith 
to them, 2 " I have compassion on the 

• multitude, because they continue with Me 
now three days, and have nothing to eat 
3 and, if I send them away fasting to their 
home, they will faint in the way; and some 
of them are from afar." 4 And His dis- 
ciples answered Him, "Whence will any 
one be able to satisfy these men with bread, 
here in a desert place?" 5 And He asked 
them, " How many loaves have ye? " And 
they said, "Seven." 6 And He command- 
eth the multitude to sit down on the ground; 
and, taking the seven loaves, having given 
thanks, He broke, and was giving to the 
disciples, to set before them; and they set 
them before the multitude. 7 And they 
had a few small fishes; and, having blessed 
them. He commanded to set these also be- 
fore them. 8 And they ate, and were satis 
fied; and they took up, of the pieces that 
remained over, seven baskets. 9 And they 
were about four thousand ; and He sen t them 
away. 10 And straightway, entering into 
the boat with His disciples, He came into 
the parts of Dalmanutha. 

CHRIST REFUSES TO GIVE THE PHARISEES 
A SIGN. 

II And the Pharisees came out, and be- 
gan to discuss with Him, seeking from 
Him a sign from heaven, tempting Him. 
12 And, sighing deeply in His spirit. He 
saith, " Why does this generation seek a 
sign ? verily I say to you, there shall no 



sign begiven to this generation." 13 And, 
leaving them. He again embarked, and de- 
parted to the other side. 

WARNS THEM OF THE LEAVEN OF THE 
PHARISEES. 

14 And they forgot to take bread; and, 
except one loaf, they had nothing in the 
boat with them. 15 And He was charging 
them, saying, " Take heed, beware of the 
leaven of the Pharisees, and of the leaven 
of Herod." 16 And they were reasoning 
one with another, ''It is because we have 
no bread!" 17 And perceiving it. He 
saith to them, " Why are ye reasoning be- 
cause ye have no bread? Do ye not yet 
perceive, nor understand ? Have ye your 
heart hardened? 18 Having eyes, do ye 
see not? and, having ears, do ye hear not? 
And, do ye not remember? 19 When I 
broke the five loaves among the five thou- 
sand, how many baskets full of pieces did 
ye take up?" They say to Him "Twelve." 

20 "And, when the seven among the four 
thousand, how many basketfuls of pieces 
did ye take up ? " And, they said, " Seven." 

21 And He said to them, " Do ye not yet 
understand?" 

A BLIND MAN RESTORED TO SIGHT. 

22 And they came to Bethsaida. And 
they bring to Him a blind man, and be- 
seech Him to touch him. 23 And, taking 
hold of the blind man's hand. He brought 
him out of the village; and, spitting in his 
eyes, and putting His hands upon him. He 
asked him, "Do you see anything?" 24 
And, looking up, he said, " I behold men, 
because I see them as trees walking." 25 
Then again He put His hands on his eyes, 



NOTES ON CHAPTER VIII. 

1-9 Four thousand fed; Matt. 15:32-38. 

10 Dalmanutha; Matthew speaks of Magadan. (15:39). 
which was very near to Dalmanutha. and each might have 
been mentioned with equal propriety. 

11-13 The Pharisees seek a sign; Matt. lG:l-4. 

12 Sighing deeply ; on account of their persistent oppo- 
sition to the truth. No sign shall be given; Christ would 
not display His power to gratify their curiosity. If they 
iad been honestly seeking tor proofs of His Messiahship, 



hey might have seen them m numerous miracles, show- 
ng His perfect control of the laws of nature and of human 
ife itself. 

24. 25 Men as trees walking; his imperfect vision made 
men tall like trees; but another touch made it complete. 
Most of the Saviour's healings that took place during His 
personal ministry on earth, were instantaneous and com- 
plete; but this was an exception to the general rule. A 
perfect, instantaneous faith will be followed by iierfect, 
instantaneous healing. 



IsrARK 



Go 



and he looked steadily, and was restored, 
and was seeing all things distinctly. 26 
And He sent him away to his house, say- 
ing, "Do not even enter into the village." 
27 And Jesus went forth, and His dis- 
ciples, into the villages of Caesarea Phil- 
ippi. And, on the way. He asked His 
disciples, saying to them, " Who do men 
say that I am ? " 28 And they told Him, 
saying, " 'John the Immerser; ' and others, 
'Elijah;' but others, 'One of the proph 



ets.' 



29 And He asked them, " But Who 



do ye say that I am? " Peter, answering, 
says to Him, "Thou art the Christ." 30 
And He charged them that they should 
tell no one concerning Him. 

31 And He began to teach them, that 
the Son of Man must suffer many things, 
and be rejected by the elders, and the high 
priests, and the scribes, and be killed, and 
after three days rise again. 32 And He 
spake the saying openly. And Peter took 
Him, and began to rebul^e Him. 33 But 



He, turning about, and seeing the disciples, 
rebuked Peter, and saith, "Get behind 
Me, Satan; because you are not minding 
the things of God, but the things of rnen." 
34 And, calling the multitude to Him 
with His disciples. He said to them, " If 
any one wishes to come after Me, let him 
disown himself, and take up his cross, and 
follow Me. 35 For whosoever would save 
his soul^ shall lose it; and whosoever will 
lose his soul ^ for My sake and the Gospel's, 
shall save it. 36 For what does it profit a 
man, to gain the whole world, and suffer 
damage as to his soul.^ 37 Or what could 
a man give as an exchange for his soul?*^ 
38 For whosoever is ashamed of Me and 
of My words in this adulterous and sinful 
generation, the Son of Man also will be 
ashamed of him, when He cometh in the 
glory of His Father with the holy angels." 



Or. lift. 



27 Cczsarea FhiUxnn: a city in the norttiern part of Gali- 
lee, near Mount Hermon. This city was enlarged hy 
Philip the tetrarch. and he called it Caesarea in honor of 
Tiberias Cffisar; Philippi being- added to distinguish it 
from another Caesarea on the Mediterranean Sea. 

32 Openly; more plainly and publicly than before. 



33 Get behind Jfe, Satan; Jesus recognized Satan as at 
the bottom of Peter's rebuke. (Matt. 16:23). 

35 Wishes to save his soul; here meaning his animal or 
physical life; the animal life being inseparable from the 
psuche; the jisMcAg or soul being the abode of the self-lite. 
3cc note on Matt. 10:25. 26. 



CHAPTEE IX. 

1 And He said to them, " Verily I say 
to you, there are some of those standing 
here, who shall not taste of death, till they 
see the Kingdom of God come with, power." 

THE TEANSriGUKATION. 

2 And after six days Jesus taketh with 
Him Peter, and James, and John, and 
bringeth them up into a high mountain 
apart by themselves; and He was trans- 
figured before them. 3 And His gar- 
ments became shining, exceedingly white, 
such as no fuller on the earth can so 
whiten. 4 And there appeared to them 
Elijah with Moses; and they were talking 
with Jesus. 5 And Peter, answering, says 
to Jesus, "Rabbi, it is good that we are 
here; and let us make three tents; one for 
Thee, and one for Moses, and one for 
Elijah;" 6 for he knew not what to an- 
swer, for they became much afraid. 7 
And there came a cloud overshadowing 



them; and there came a voice out of the 
cloud, saying, "This is My Son, the Be- 
loved; hear ye Him." 8 And, suddenly 
looking around, they no longer saw with 
themselves any one, except Jesus only. 

9 And, as they were coming down from 
the mountain, Ke charged them that they 
should tell no one what they saw, until 
the Son of Man should arise from the 
dead. 10 And they kept the saying to 
themselves, questioning what the rising 
from the dead could be. 

ELIJAH ALREADY COME. 

11 And they were asking Him, saying, 
''How is it that the scribes say that Eli- 
jah must first come? " 12 Aiid He said to 
them, "Elijah, indeed, comes first, and 
restores all things; and how it has been 
written concerning the Son of Man, that 
He should suffer many things, and be set 
at naught; 13 but I say to you that Eli- 
jah has both come, and they did to him 



NOTES ON CHAPTER IX. 
2-9 The transflouration; Matt. 17:1-9. 
10 The chief reason why the doctrine of the resurrec- 



tion was so incomprehensible to the disciples was, that 
they had not yet seen any need for the Saviour's death. 
11-13 Elijah; Matt. 17:10-13. 



66 



MARK 



whatsoever they wished, as it has been 
written of him." 

HEAI.S A DEMONIAC. 

14 And, coming to the disciples, they 
saw a great multitude about them, and the 
scribes questioning with them. 15 And 
straightway all the multitude, seeing Him, 
were greatly amazed; and, running to 
Him^ were saluting Him. 16 And He 
asked them, " What are ye discussing with 
them? " 17 And one of the multitude an- 
swered Him, " Teacher, I have brought to 
Thee my son, who has a dumb spirit; 18 
and wheresoever it seizes upon him, it 
tears ^ him, and he foams, and gnashes his 
teeth, and pines away. And I spake to 
Thy disciples, that they should cast it out; 
and they were not able." 19 And He, 
answering, saith to them, "O faithless 
generation! how long shall I be with you? 
how long shall I bear with you? Bring 
him to Me." 20 And they brought him 
to Him. And, seeing Him, the spirit 
straightway convulsed him; and, falling 
upon the ground, he was wallowing, foam- 
ing. 21 And He asked his father, " How 
long a time is it since this has befallen 
him?" And he said, " From a child. 22 
And oft-times it cast him both into the fire 
and into the water, to destroy hira; but, 
if Thou canst do anything, having com- 
passion on us, help us!" 23 Jesus said 
to him, " ' If thou canst!' All things are pos- 
sible to him that believes." 24 Straight- 
way the father of the child, crying out, 
said, "I believe; help Thou my unbelief!" 
25 And Jesus, seeing that a multitude 
was running together, rebuked the un 
clean spirit, saying to it, " Deaf and dumb 
spirit, I command you, come out of him 
and enter no more into him." 26 And 
having cried out, and convulsed him much 
it came out; and he became as one dead 
so that many said, "He died!" 27 But 
Jesus, taking, hold of his hand, raised him, 
and he stood up. 

28 And, when He came into a house, 

1 Or, dashes. 

14-29 The deaf and dumb spirit east out; Matt. 17:14-21 

15 Greatly amazed; probably at the lingering glory ol 
the transfiguration. 

31 Jesus foretells His death and resurrection; Matt. 
17:22. 23. 

33-37 Who was Greatest : Matt. 18:1-4. 

38 In, Mv name; in professed and absolute dependence 
upon Christ. 

39 Forbid Mm not; it is not the business of one man or 
company of men to lord it over others. Each should get 



His disciples asked Him privately, " Why 
could not we cast it out?" 29 And He 
said to them, " This kind can come out by 
nothing, except by prayer." 

JESUS FORETELLS HIS SUFFERINGS. 

30 And, going forth thence, they were 
passing along through Galilee; and He 
did not wish that any one should know it. 
31 For He was teaching His disciples, and 
said to them, " The Son of Man is deliv- 
ered up into the hands of men, and they 
will kill Him; and, having been killed, 
after three days He will rise again." 32 
But they were not understanding the say- 
ing, and were afraid to ask Him. 

33 And they came to Capernaum. And, 
when He was in the house. He asked 
them, " Concerning what were ye reason- 
ing in the way?" 34 But they were si- 
lent; for they disputed with one another 
in the way, who was the greatest.* 35 
And, sitting down. He called the twelve, 
and saith to them, " If any one wishes to 
be first, he shall be last of all, and servant 
of all." 36 And, taking a little child, He 
set it in the midst of them; and, folding it 
in His arms. He said to them, "Whoso- 
ever receives one of such little children in 
My name, receives Me; and whosoever 
receives Me, receives not Me, but Him 
Who sent Me." 

38 John said to Him, " Teacher, we saw 
one casting out demons in Thy name; and 
we forbade him, because he was not follow- 
ing us." 39 But Jesus said, "Forbid him 
not; for there is no one who shall exercise 
power in My name, and be able quickly 
to speak evil of Me; 40 for he who is not 
against us is for us. 41 For whosoever 
gives you a cup of water to drink in My 
name, because ye are Christ's, verily I say 
to you, he shall in no wise lose his reward. 
42 And whosoever shall cause to stumble 
one of these little ones, who believe, it 
were better for him, if a great millstone ^ 
were hanged about his neck, and he were 
cast into the sea. 43 And, if your hand 

2 Gr. Greater. 3 A millstone turned t>v an ass. 

his own work from God, and let God equip him for the 
work. 

40 There is no neutrality; every one Is either on God's 
side, or against Him. 

41 A cup of tvater; the bestowal of the smallest favor 
upon a disciple of Jesus for Jesus' sake, will have a sure 
reward ; Jesus regarding all acts of kindness, or of unkind- 
neas, done to His disciples, as done to Himself. 

42-47 Warnings against occasions of stumbling: Matt- 
18:6-9. 



MAEK 



67 



causes you to stumble, cut it off; it is good 
for 3'ou to enter into life maimed, rather 
than having the two hands to go into Hell — 
into the unquenchable fire!* 45 And, 
if your foot causes you to stumble, cut it 
off; it is good for you to enter into life 
lame, rather than having the two feet to 
be cast into Hell. 47 And, if your eye 
causes you to stumble, tear it out; it is 



good for you to enter into the Kingdom of 
God with one eye, rather than having two 
eyes to be cast into Hell,* 48 where their 
worm dies not, and the fire is not quenched. 

49 For every one shall be salted with fire.f 

50 Salt is good; but, if the salt becomes 
saltless, with what will ye season it? Have 
salt in yourselves, and be at peace one with 
another." 



♦Some Mss. insert vs. 44 and 46. which are identical with 
V. 48: "Where their worm dies not. and the fire is not 
quenched." 



4 Gehenna, place of the wicked after the judgment. 
tSome Mss. add: "And every sacrifice shall be salted 
with salt. " See Lev. 2 : 13. 



48 Their worm dleth not, and the fire is not quenched; 
see Isa. 66:24. There is not the slightest hint that those 
who are so unfortunate as to be cast into Hell [Gehenna], 
will ever get any relief from their dreadful sufferingsl 

49 Salted with fire; referring, probably, to the salting 
with the fires of Hell, on the part of those who do not give 
up their idols, and be salted with the Holy Spirit, Who 
comes to plant the life of Christ in the believer. Those 



who do not get the salvation that Christ came to give, 
will be cast into Hell. 

50 Salt is good . . . have salt in yourselves; the salt here 
referred to is the very essence of Christianity, or Christ 
Himself. Those who are wholly under the influence of 
This Salt will be preserved from all corruption, and will 
be a mighty factor for good in this corrupt world ; but those 
who had the salt, and then lose i t are in a deplorable state ! 



CHAPTEE X. 

1 And, rising up thence. He cometh into 
the borders of Judaea, and beyond the 
Jordan. And multitudes come together to 
Him again; and, as He was wont, He was 
teaching them again. 

2 And the Pharisees, coming to Him, 
were asking Him, " Is it lawful for a man 
to put away his wife?" tempting Him. 3 
And He, answering, said to them, " What 
did Moses command you?" 4 And they 
said, " Moses permitted to write a bill of 
divorcement, and to put her away." 5 
But Jesus said to them, " Because of the 
hardness of your heart -he wrote you this 
commandment. 6 But from the beginning 
of the creation, ' Male and female made 
He them.' 7 For this cause shall a man 
leave his father and mother, [and shall 
cleave to his wife],* 8 and the two shall be- 
come one flesh ; so that they are no more two, 
but one flesh. 9 What, therefore, God joined 
together, let not man put asimder." 10 
And in the house the disciples asked Him 
again concerning this. 11 And He saith 
to them, " Whosoever puts away his wife, 
and marries another, commits adultery 
against her; 12 and, if she herself, hav- 



'Some Mss. omit words in brackets. 



ing put away her husband, marries an- 
other, she commits adultery." 

HE BLESSES LITTLE CHILDREN. 

13 And they were bringing little chil- 
dren to Him, that He might touch them; 
and the disciples rebuked them. 14 But 
Jesus, seeing it. was much displeased, and 
said to them, ' Permit the little children 
to come to Me; forbid them not; for to 
such belongs the Kingdom of God. 15 
Verily I say to you, whosoever does not 
receive the Kingdom of God as a little 
child, will in no wise enter therein." 16 
And, taking them in His arms. He was 
blessing them, placing His hands upon 
them. 

A EICH IVIAK INSTRUCTED. 

17 And, as He was going forth into the 
way, one, running to Him, and kneeling, 
was asking Him, "Good Teacher, what 
shall I do, that I may inherit eternal life ? " 
18 And Jesus said to Him, "Why do you 
call Me good ? No one is good, but One — 
God. 19 You know the commandments, 
'Do not kill,' 'Do not commit adultery,' 
' Do not steal, ' ' Do not bear false witness, ' 
'Do not defraud,' 'Honor your father and 
mother.' " 20 And he said to Him, 
" Teacher, all these things I observed from 



NOTES ON CHAPTER X. 

1-12 See notes on Matt. 19:1-12. 

13-16 Christ blesses little children; Matt. 19:13-15. 

13 Touch them; blessing them by laying His hands on 
them. It would be well it Christian parents understood 
what interest Christ feels in their children. 

17-23 The rich youna man; Matt. 19:16-22. 



17 That I may inherit eternal life; this is what the world 
is trying to do. Men wish to live by their own merits. 
The idea of salvation by grace is utterly repulsive to the 
carnal heart. Spiritualists. Theosophists, Unitarians. 
Christian Scientists, and multitudes of others, repudiate 
the idea of salvation by grace, the vicarious sufferings of 
Christ, and the Gospel of Jesus Christ. 



MAKK 



my youth." 21 And Jesus, looking on 
him, loved him, and said to him, "One 
thing is wanting to you: go, sell what you 
have, and give to the poor, and you shall 
have treasure in Heaven, and come, follow 
Me." 22 But, becoming gloomy^ at this 
saying, he went away grieved; for he was 
one having great possessions. 

23 And, looking around, Jesus saith to 
His disciples, " With what difficulty shall 
those who have riches enter into the King- 
dom of God!" 24 And the disciples were 
astonished at His words. But Jesus, again 
answering, saith to them, '' Children, how 
difficult it is [for those who trust in riches] * 
to enter into the Kingdom of God! 25 It 
is easier for a camel to go through the eye 
of a needle, than for a rich man to enter 
into the Kingdom of God." 26 And they 
were being exceedingly astonished, saying 
to Him, "And who can be saved?" 27 
Jesus, looking upon them, saith, " With 
men it is impossible, but not with God; 
for all things are possible with God." 

THE KEWAED OF THOSE WHO FORSAKE ALL 

FOR JESUS. 

28 Peter began to say to Him, " Behold, 
we left all, and followed Thee." 29 Jesus 
said, " Verily I say to you, there is no one 
who left house, or brothers, or sisters, or 
mother, or father, or children, or lands, for 
My sake and the Gospel's sake, 30 but 
he shall receive a hundredfold now in this 
time, houses, and brothers, and sisters, and 
mothers, and, children, and lands, with 
persecutions; and in the age to come, 
eternal life. 31 But many that are first 
shall be last; and the last first." 

32 And they were in the way going 
up to Jerusalem; and Jesus was going be- 
fore them. And they were being amazed;. 



1 Or, Sorrowful. . 

*Some ancient Mss. omit the words in brackets. 

21 Jesus loved Mm; the young man was, outwardly, 
moral, and Jesus loved him as a moral man. 

22 Grieved; that so great a sacrifice was required of 
him. Wealth ruins many people. 

23-27 Danger of riches; Matt. 19:23-30. 

24 Trusting in riches; having the affections set upon 
riches, and loving money for the pleasures it brings, are 
potent influences in the way of salvation. 

29 JFor My sake and the Gospel's; from love to Jesus and 
to His cause. 

30 A hundredfold; blessings a hundred times as val- 
uable as those given up for Jesus. The Saviour did not 
teach that men were to abandon their families, and leave 
them to starve; but He meant that His true followers 



and those following Hvm were being terri- 
fied. And, again taking with Him the 
twelve. He began to tell them the things 
about to happen to Him: 33 "Behold, we 
are going up to Jerusalem; and the Son of 
Man will be delivered up to the high 
priests, and to the scribes, and they will 
condemn Him to death, and will deliver 
Him up to the gentiles; 34 and they will 
mock Him, and will spit upon Him, and 
will kill Him; and after three days He will 
rise again." 

SENSELESS REQUEST OF JAMES AND JOHN. 

35 And James and John, the sons of 
Zebedee, come to Him, saying to Him, 
"Teacher, we wish that Thou wouldest do 
for us whatsoever we ask," 36 And He 
said to them, " What do you wish that I 
should do for you? " 37 And they said to 
Him, " Grant to us that we may sit, one on 
Thy right hand, and one on Thy left, in 
Thy Kingdom." 38 But Jesus said to 
them, " Ye know not what ye are asking. 
Are ye able to drink the cup that I drink, 
or to be immersed with the immersion that 
I am immersed with?" 39 And they said 
to Him, " We are able." And Jesus said 
to them, "The cup that I drink ye shall 
drink; and the immersion with which I am 
immersed shall ye be immersed; 40 but 
to sit on My right hand, or on My left, is 
not Mine to give, but it is for those for 
whom it has been prepared." 41 And the 
ten, hearing it^ began to be much dis- 
pleased with James and John. 42 And 
Jesus, calling them to Him, says to them, 
" Ye know that those thinking^ to rule over 
the gentiles lord it over them; and their 
great ones exercise authority over them; 
43 but it is not so among you; but whoso- 
ever wishes to become great among you 
shall be your minister; 44 and whosoever 

2 Or, accounted. 

must love Him supremely, and get, each, his work and 
place from God. 

32 Jesus was going iefore them; as their Leader, fear- 
lessly pressing into danger. Were being amazed; at His 
wonderful fearlessness and calmness in peril. TerrifUd; 
at the peril just before them. 

35-45 The request of ZebedeeS sons; Matt. 20:20-28. Mat- 
thew represents their mother as speaking for them, 
(Matt. 20:20. 21). 

41 Displeased with James and John; at their attempt to 
secure the most honorable positions in the Kingdom of 
Jesus' soon (as they supposed) to be set up. 

42 Those thinking to rule; who are the accredited rulers 
of the people, or think it good for themselves to rule. 



MARK 



69 



wishes to be first amoiiff you sliall be serv- 
ant of all: 45 for even the Son of Man 
came not to be ministered to, but to min- 
isteri and to give his soul a ransom for 
many."' 

BLIND BARTIM^US RECEIVES SIGHT. 

46 Andthey come to Jericho: and, as lie 
was going- forth from Jericho, with His dis- 
ciples and a great multitude, the son of 
Tima?us, Bartimseus, a blind beggar, was 
sitting by the road. 47 And, hearing that 
it was Jesus the Nazarene, he began to cry 
out, and say, " Son of David! Jesus! have 
mercy on me!" 48 And many w^ere re- 
buking him, that he should be silent. But 



lie kept crying much more, " Son of David! 
have mercy on mo!" 49 And, standing 
still, Jesus said, " Call him." And they 
call the blind man, saying to him, " Be ot 
good cheer; arise! lie is calling you! " 5(J 
And he, casting away his garment, spring- 
ing up, came to Jesus. 51 And Jesus, 
answering him, said, "What do you wis!) 
that I should do for you?" And tlie blind 
man said, " Rabboni, that I may receive 
my sight." 53 And Jesus said to him, 
Go your way, your faith has healed^ 
you." And straightway he received sight, 
and was following Jesus in the way. 



Gr. Saved. 



46-52 Blind Bar Ihtuxus; Matt. 20:23-3-1. 
50 Casting away fds garment; throwing off hi.s outer 
garment, that he might get to Jesus as soon as possible. 
52 Your faith has healed you: your faith has brousht 



you deliverance from your physical ailment— hence. 
it saved you. The verb signifying primarily to save, is 
frequently used to denote bodily healing. If one's body is 
healed, he is saved to the extent of his body at least. 



CHAPTER XI. 

1 And, when they draw nigh to Jerusa- 
lem, to Bethphage and Bethany, at the 
mount of Olives, He sendeth two of His 
disciples, 2 and saith to them, " Gro into 
the village that is over against you; and 
straightway, as ye enter into it, ye will find 
a colt tied, on which no man ever yet sat: 
loose him, and bring him. 3 And, if any 
one say to you, ' Why do ye this ? ' say ye, 
'The Lord hath need of him;' andstraight- 
Avay he will send^ him back ^ hither." 4 
And they ^yent away, and found a colt tied 
at the door Avithout on the street; and tliey 
loose him. 5 And some of those standing 
there said to them, *' What do ye, loosing 
the colt? " 6 And they said to them even as 
Jesus said; and they let them go. 7 And 
they bring the colt to Jesus, and cast on him 
their garments; and He sat on him. 8 And 
many spread their garments in the way; 
and others spread branches, having cut 
them from the fields. 9 And those going 
before, and those following, were crying, 
"Hosanna! Blessed is He that comethin 
the name of the Lord! 10 Blessed is the 
coming Kingdom of our father David! Ho- 
sanna in the Highest!" 11 And He en- 
tered into Jerusalem, into the temple; and, 
having looked around on all things, the 



Gr. Sends. 2 Gr. Agai 



hour being late. He went out to Bethany 
with the twelve. 

THE BARREN FIG TREE. 

12 And on the morrow, when they had 
come out from Bethany, He was hungry. 
13 And, seeing a fig tree afar off having 
leaves. He came, if perhaps He might find 
something thereon. And, having come to 
it. He found nothing but leaves; for it was 
not the season of figs. 14 And, answer- 
ing. He said to it, " May no one eat fruit 
from you any more forever!" And His 
disciples heard it. 

15 And they come to Jerusalem. And, 
entering into the temple. He began to cast 
out those who sold and those who bought 
in the temple, and overturned the tables 
of the money-changers, and the seats of 
those who sold doves; 16 and He was not 
permitting that any one should carry a 
vessel through the temple. 17 And He 
was teaching, and said to them, "Has it 
not been written, ' My house shall be called 
a house of prayer for all nations; ' but ye 
have made it a den of robbers! " 

18 And the high priests and scribes 
heard it, and were seeking how they 
might destroy Him; for they were fear- 
ing Him, for all the multitude was aston- 
ished at His teaching. • 



NOTES ON CHAPTER XI. 
1-11 Jesus rides into Jerusalem; Matt. 21:1-17. 
12-14 The fig tree airsed; Matt. 21 : 18-22. 
13 And Be found nothing but leaves; how many pro- 



fessed followers of Christ are correctly described by this 
barren fig treel Nothing but leavest A hollow profes- 
sion, an aimless life, a life of empty show, world!y''"oa- 

iformity, vain words, ineffective resolves to do better! 

I 13-19 Traffickers driven out of 'the temple; Matt. 31 :13-I7. 



70 



MARK 



19 And, whenever it became late, they 
went forth out of the city. 

20 And, passing by the next morning, 
they saw the fig tree dried up from the 
roots. 21 And Peter, calling to remem- 
brance, says to Him, " Rabbi, behold, the 
fig tree which Thou didst curse has with- 
ered away!" 22 And Jesus, answering, 
saith to them, " Have tlie faith of God. 23 
Verily I say to you, whosoever says to 
this mountain, ' Be taken up and cast into 
the sea,' and does not doubt in his heart, 
but believes that what he says comes to 
pass; he shall have it. 24 Therefore, I 
say to you, all things whatsoever ye pray 
and ask for, believe that ye received 
them, and ye shall have them. 25 And 
whensoever ye stand praying, forgive, if 
ye have aught against any; that your 
Father also Who is in Heaven may for- 
give you your trespasses."* 



*Many ancient authorities add v. 26: "But if ye do not 
forgive, neither will your Father Who is in Heaven forgive 
your trespasses. " 



27 And they come again into Jerusa- 
lem. And, as He was walking about in 
the temple, the high priests and the scribes 
and the elders come to Him; 28 and said 
to Him, " By what authority art Thou do- 
ing these things? Or who gave Thee this 
authority to do these things?" 29 And 
Jesus said to them, "I will ask you one 
thing;* and answer Me, and I will tell you 
by what authority I am doing these things. 
30 The immersion of John, was it from 
Heaven, or from men?" 31 And they 
reasoned with themselves, saying, 32 
'If we say, 'From Heaven,' He will say, 
' Why then did ye not believe him ? ' But, 
should we say, ' From men, ' " — they feared 
the people; for all held John to be a 
prophet indeed. 33 And, answering, they 
say to Jesus, "We do not know." And 
Jesus saith to them, "Neither do I tell 
you by what authority I am doing these 
things." 



Gr. Word. 



22 Have the faith of God; translators generally render 
this. "Have faithin God;" but, if this had been the thought, 
it would have been easy to have expressed it in the Greek. 
Faith originates with God ; and those who have real faith 
have jffis faith; the same perhaps as "the faith which is 
of the Son of God," (Gal. 2:20). 

23 This mountain; nothing short of the faith of God 
can remove mountains; but His faith, operating through 
His obedient children, can accomplish this, (Acts 3:6; 9:34). 



Whatsoever ye pray and ask. for; in accordance with 
God's will. (I John 5:14. 15). Believe that ye received; 
when you asked; not that you will receive; for a future 
faith never receives anything. Believe that ye received 
when you asked. 

25 Forgive; when we are praying, unless we forgive 
others, we cannot be forgiven, nor can w 
swer to our prayers on other lines. 

27-33 By what authority; Matt. 21:23-27. 



CHAPTER XII. 

1 And He began to speak to them in 
parables, " A man planted a vineyard, and 
set a hedge about it, and dug a wine-vat, 
and built a tower, and let it out to hus- 
bandmen, and went into another country.* 
2 And, at the season, he sent to the hus- 
bandmen a servant, that he might receive 
from the husbandmen of ^ the fruits of the 
vineyard. 3 And, taking him, they beat 
him^ and sent him away empty. 4 And 
again he sent to them another servant; 
and him they wounded in the head, and 
dishonored. 6 And he sent another; and 
him they killed; and many others, beating 
some, and killing some. 6 He had yet 
one, a beloved son; he sent him to them 
last, saying, 'They will pay deference to 
my son.' 7 But those husbandmen said 



1 Or, went abroad. 2 Gr. From. 



among them.selves, 'This is the heir; come, 
let us kill him, and the inheritance will be 
ours.' 8 And, taking him, they killed 
him, and cast him out of the vineyard. 
9 What, therefore, will the lord of the 
vineyarci do? He will come, and destroy 
the husbandmen, and will give the vine- 
yard to others. 10 Did ye never read the 
Scripture, 'The stone which the builders 
rejected, the same became the head of a 
corner; 11 this was from the Lord, and 
is marvelous in our eyes?'" 

12 And they were seeking to lay hold 
of Him; and they feared the multitude; 
for they knew that He spake the parable 
against them; and, leaving Him, they 
went away. 

13 And they send to Him some of the 
Pharisees and of the Herodians, that they 
may entrap Him in speech. 14 And, 
coming, they say to Him, "Teacher, we 



NOTES ON CHAPTER XII. 
1-9 Parable of the vineyard; Matt, 21 :33-41. 



10 The Scripture; Ps. 118:22, 23. 

13-17 Bender to Ccesar the things of Ccesar; Matt. 22 : 15-21. 



MARK 



71 



know that Thou art true, and carest not 
for any one; for Thou lookest^ not into 
the face of men, but in truth teachest the 
way of God. Is it lawful to give tribute 
to Ciesar, or not? 15 Shall we give, 
shall we not give?" But He, knowing 
their hypocrisy, said to them, "Why are 
ye tempting Me? Bring Me a denary, 
that I may see it." 16 And they brought 
'it. And He saith to them, "Whose is 
this image and inscription?" And they 
said to Him, "Caesar's." 17 And Jesus 
said to them, " Render to Cfesar the things 
of Ciesar, and to God the things of God." 
And they wondered exceedingly at Him. 

THE SADDUCEES SILENCED. 

18 And there come to Him the Saddu- 
cees, who say there is no resurrection: 
and they were asking Him, saying, 19 
■'Teacher, Moses wrote to us, 'If any 
man's brother die, and leave a wife be- 
hind, and leave no child, that his brother 
should take his wife, and raise up seed to 
his brother.' 20 There were seven broth- 
ers; and the first took a wife; and, dying, 
left no seed. 21 And the second took 
her, and died, leaving no seed; and the 
third likewise. 22 And -the seven left no 
seed. Last of all the woman also died. 
23 In the resurrection whose wife shall 
she be of them? for the seven had her as 
a wife." 24 Jesus said to them, "/s it 
not on this account that ye err, because ye 
know not the Scriptures, nor the power of 
God ? 25 For, when they shall rise from 
the dead, they neither marry, nor are 
given in marriage; but are as the angels 
in Heaven. 26 But, concerning the dead, 
that they are raised, did ye not read in 
the book of Moses, at the 'Bush,' how 
God spake to him, saying, ' I am the God 
of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and 
the God 'of Jacob V 27 He is not the God 
of the dead, but of the living: ye do 
greatly err." 

THE GREATEST COMMANDMENT. 

28 And one of the scribes, coming near. 



Or. regardest. 



hearing them discussing together, knowing 
that He answered them well, asked Him, 
" What commandment is first of all?" 29 
Jesus answered, "The first is, 'Hear, O 
Israel; the Lord is our God, the Lord is 
One; 30 and you shall love the Lord your 
God with all your heart, and witli all your 
mind and with all your strength.' 31 A 
second is this, ' You shall love your neigh- 
bor as yourself.' There is no command- 
ment greater than these." 32 The scribe 
said to Him, " Well, Teacher, Thou didst 
say truly that He is One, and there is not 
another beside Him; 33 and to love Him 
with all the heart, and with all the under- 
standing, and with all the strength, and to 
love one's neighbor as himself, is much 
more than all the whole burnt-ofi'erings 
and sacrifices." 34 And Jesus, seeing that 
he answered discreetly, said to him, " You 
are not far from the Kingdom of God." 
And no one any more dared to question 
Him. 

35 And Jesus, answering, said, while 
teaching in the temple, " How do the scribes 
say that the Christ is David's Son? 36 
David himself said in the Holy Spirit, 
' The Lord said to my Lord, Sit on My 
right hand, until I put Thy enemies under- 
neath Thy feet.' 37 David himself calls 
Him Lord; and whence is He his Son?" 
And the great multitude heard Him gladly. 

38 And in His teaching He said, " Be- 
ware of the scribes, who wish to walk 
about in long robes and have salutations in 
the marketplaces, 39 and the first seats 
in the synagogues, and the first places at 
the feasts; 40 who devour widows' houses, 
and for a pretense make long prayers; 
these shall receive greater condemnation." 

41 And, having taken a seat over against 
the treasury. He was beholding how the 
multitude cast money into the treasury; 
and many who were rich cast in much. 
42 And one poor widow, coming, cast 
in two mites, which is a farthing. 43 
And calling to Hini' His disciples, . He 



14 Thou lookest not into the face of men; meaning that 
He had no concern for the personal dignity of men— not 
even enough to cast a glance into their faces. It was a 
sorry compliment they paid Him. See Isa. 57:15; 66:2. 

26 The bush; Ex. 3:2-6. 

28 First commandmint of all; the most important. Ex- 
haustive love to God. and loving one's neighbor as him- 
self, contain the whole of Christianity. 



29 One Lord; other nations worshiped, after a fashion, 
many gods— the creations of their one fancies; hut there 
is only One true and living God, Who is revealed in the 
New Testament Scriptures under the Tri-pcrsonality of 
the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, (Matt. 28:10) . 

35-37 Christ is David's Lord and Son; Matt. 22:42-15. 

38-40 Warnina against the hypocrisy of the scribes: Matt. 
23:1-7. 



72 



MARK 



said to them, "Verily I say to you, this 
poor widow cast in more than all who are 
casting into the treasury; 44 for they all 



did cast in out of their abundance; but she 
out of her want cast in all that she had — 
her whole living." 



43 More than all; more in God's sight, because it 
showed complete victory over the world, and supreme 
confidence in God. In estimating the value of a gift. God 



looks not at the largeness or smallness of the gift, but at 
what is left after the gift is made. A perfect gift is all one 
has. 



CHAPTER XIII. 

Christ's prophecy on the mount of 

OLIVES. 

1 And, as He was going out of the tem- 
ple, one of His disciples says to Him, 
" Teacher, behold, what manner of stones 
and what manner of buildings!" 2 And 
Jesus said to him, " Do you see these great 
buildings? There shall not be left here a 
stone upon a stone, which shall not be 
thrown down." 

3 And, as He was sitting upon the mount 
of Olives over against the temple, Peter 
and James and John and Andrew asked 
Him privately, 4 "Tell us, when shall 
these things be? and what is the sign when 
all these things are about to be accom- 
plished ? " 5 And Jesus began to say to 
them, " Take heed, lest some one lead you 
astray. Many will come in My name, sa.v- 
ing, 'I am Me,'' and will lead many astray. 
7 And, when ye hear of wars and rumors 
of wars, be not troubled; these things mnst 
come to pass; but the end is not yet. 8 
For nation will rise against nation, and 
kingdom against kingdom; there will be 
earthquakes in various places; and there 
will be famines: these are the beginning of 
anguish.^ 

9 " But take heed to yourselves; for they 
will deliver you up to the councils; and in 
synagogues ye will be beaten; and before 
governors and kings ye will stand for My 
sake, for a testimony to them. 10 And 
the Gospel must first be preached to all 
the nations. 11 And, when they lead you 
away, delivering you up, be not anxious 
beforehand what ye shall speak; but what 
soever is given you in that hour, this speak; 
for it is not ye that speak, but the Holy 



Spirit. 12 And brother will " deliver up 
brother to death; and the father, the child; 
and children will rise up against parents, 
and cause them to be put to death.* 13 
And ye will be hated by all for My name's 
sake; but he that endures to the end, the 
same shall be saved. 14 But when ye see 
the abomination of desolation standing 
where it ought not, (let him that reads 
understand), then let those who are in 
Judsea flee to the mountains; 15 And let 
him who is on the house not come down, 
nor enter in, to take anything out of his 
house; 16 and let him who is in the 
field not turn back to take his garments. 
17 But woe to those with child and to 
those giving suck in those days! 18 
And pray that it be not in winter; 19 
for those days will be a time of tribula- 
tion, such as there has not been the like 
from the beginning of the creation which 
God created until now, and never will be. 
20 And, unless the Lord had shortened 
those days, no flesh would have been 
saved; but, for the elect's sake, whom He 
chose. He shortened the days. 21 Then, 
if any one shall say to you, ' Lo, here is 
the Christ!' or, 'Lo, there!' believe him 
not; 22 for there will arise false Christs 
and false prophets, and will show signs 
and wonders, in order to lead astray, if 
possible, the elect. 23 But take heed; I 
have foretold you all things. 

24 " But in those days, after that tribula- 
tion, the sun will be darkened, and the 
moon will not give her light, 25 and the 
stars will be falling out of the heavens, 
and the powers that are in the heavens 
will be shaken. 26 And then will they 
see the Son of Man coming in clouds with 
great power and glory. 27 And then will 



1 Gr. Birfh pangs. 

NOTES ON' CHAPTER XIII. 

1 Tlliat manner of stones; Josephus says that some of 
the stones in the temple were twenty-five cubits long, 
eight thick, and twelve wide. 

4 When all these things are about to be acccymplished; 
spoken of ;.i v. 2— especially the destruction of the temple. 

9-23 Persecutions foretold; Matt. 24:9-28. 



2 Or, put them to death. 

U Be not anzious beforehand; God's true children should 
borrow no trouble from the future. The Holy Spirit will 
give the words that ought to be spoken by way of defense. 

14 The, abomination of desolation; Matt. 24:15. 

24-31 The second coming of Christ; Matt. 24:29-35. 

28 Then they will see the Son of Man coming in clouds: 
this refers probably to His coming with His saints to 
close the tribulation period, (Zech. 14:4, 5; Rev. 19:19-21). 



MAEK 



Pie send forth the angels, and gather to- 
gether His elect from the four winds, 
from tlie extremity of earth to the ex- 
tremity of the heaven. 

28 " Now from tlie fig tree learn the par- 
able: when its branch already becomes 
tender, and puts forth leaves, ye know 
that summer is near; 29 so also do ye, 
•when ye see these things coming to pass, 
know that He ' is near, at the doors. 30 
Verily I say to you, this generation will 
not pass away, until all these things be 
accomplished. 31 The heaven and the 
earth will pass away; but My words will 
not pass awaj^ 32 But concerning that 



3 Ox, it. 



day or hour no one knows, not even the 
angels in Heaven, nor the Son, but the 
Father. 33 Take heed, watch [and iiray]; ■"■ 
for ye know not when the time is. 34: Itix 
as when 'A wv^n away from honie\ having 
left his house, and having given authority 
to his servants, to each his work, com- 
manded also the porter to watch. 35 
Watch, therefore, for ye know not when 
the master of the house is coming, at 
evening, or at mid-night, or at cock-crow- 
ing, or in the morning; 36 lest, coming 
suddenly, he find you sleeping. 37 And 
what I say to you, I say to all, ' Watch.' " 



'Some authorities omit words in brackets 
I Or, in a foreign country. 



32 Nor the Son; referring to His humanity. The child 
Jesus grew in wisdom (Lulte 2:53), which implies that 
Jesus, as a human being, was limited in knowledge. But 
as a member of the Godhead He knew all things. 

33 Watch: Matt. 24:42, 44. 

35 Themaster of the house; here representing Christ. 

36 Sleeping; hence, unprepared to meet Him. 

37 Watch; can people who put oS, in their minds, the 



coming of Christ until the close of the Millennium, be 
said, in any true sense, to be watching for His coming? 
When the Saviour comes into the mid-heavens to receive 
Eis saints, at the rapture, there will be great surprise 
and lamentation on the part of those Christians who are 
not ready to meet Him; and, when He comes with His 
saints to close up the tribulation and bring in His blissful 
roign, there will be great consternation among the wicked. 



CHAPTER XIV. 

1 Now after two days was the passover, 
and the feast of unleavened bread; and 
the high priests and the scribes were seek- 
ing how, taking Him by guile, they might 
kill Him; 2 for they said, "Not during 
the feast, lest there should be an uproar of 
the people." 

3 And, while He was in Bethany, in the 
house of Simon the leper, as He was re- 
clining at table., there came a woman hav- 
ing an alabaster cruse of ointment of pure 
spikenard, very costly; and, having broken 
the cruse, she was pouring it down on His 
head. 4 But there were some who loere 
much displeased among themselves, saying^ 
"To what purpose has this waste of the 
ointment been made? 5 For this ointment 
could have been sold for above three 
hundred denaries, and given to the poor!" 
And they were murmuring against her. 6 
But Jesus said, " Let her alone; why do ye 
cause her trouble? She wrought a good 
work on Me; 7 for the poor ye always 



have with .you; and whensoever ye will, ye 
can do them good; but Me ye have not al- 
ways. 8 She did what she could: she 
anointedMy body beforehand for the burial. 
9 And verily I say to you, wheresoever 
the Gospel shall be preached in the whole 
world, that also which this woman did shall 
be spoken of for a memorial of her." 10 
And Judas Iscariot, one of the twelve, 
went away to the high priests, that he 
might deliver Him up to them. 11 And 
they, hearing it., rejoiced, and promised to 
give him money. And he was seeking how 
he might conveniently deliver Him up. 

12 And, on the first day of the unleavened 
bread, when they were slaying the pass- 
over, His disciples say to Him, "Where 
dost Thou wish that we, going, prepare, 
that Thou may est eat the passover? " 13 
And He sendeth two of His disciples, and 
saith to them, "Go your way into the city; 
and there will meet you a man bearing a 
pitcher of water; follow him. 14 And, 
wheresoever he enters, say ye to the master 



NOTES ON CHAPTER XTV. 

3-9 Christ anointed; Matt. 26:6-13. 

5 Three hundred denaries; about $42.00, or it estimated 
at 17 cents instead of 14 cents (as above) 300x117 = $51 
The denary varied in value at different times. 

8 She did what she could; literally, she did what she 
had; that is, she did the best she could with what she had; 
moaning to honor Jesus thereby. 



10. 11 Judas Iscariot sells his Teacher; Matt. 26:14-16. 
13-16 Passover made ready; Matt. 26:17-19. 

12 When they were slaying the passover; when they were 
slaying the lamb that was used in the passover. 

13 The city; Jerusalem. 

14 Gv,est-chamher; an upper room for the use of visitors, 
especially for such occasions as the observance of the iwss- 
over. 



74 



MARK 



of the house, 'The Teacher saith, Where 
is My guest-chamber, where I may eat the 
passover with My disciples?' 15 And he 
will show you a large upper room furnished 
and ready; and there make ready for us." 
16 And the disciples went forth, and came 
into the city, and found as He said to them; 
and they made ready the passover. 

17 And, evening coming on. He come.th 
with the twelve. 18 And as they were re- 
-clining at tahle and eating, Jesus said, 
" Verily I say to you, one of you will be- 
tray Me — one who is eating with Me." 19 
They began to be sorrowful, and to say to 
Him, one by one, "Is it I?" 20 And He 
said to them, " It is one of the twelve — he 
that is dipping with Me in the dish. 21 
JBecause the Son of Man is going as it has 
"been written concerning Him; but woe to 
that man through whom the Son of Man is 
I)etrayed! ^ It v^ere good for him, if that 
man had not been born." 

THE lord's supper INSTITUTED. 

22 And, as they were eating, having 
taken bread and blessed it. He broke, and 
gave to them, and said, "Take ye; this is 
My body." 23 And taking a cup, awJ bless- 
ing it. He gave it to them; and they all 
drank of it. 24 And He said to them, 
" This is my blood of the covenant, which 
is poured out in behalf of many. 25 Ver- 
ily I say to you, I will no more drink of 
the fruit of the vine, until that day when 
I drink it new in the Kingdom of God." 

26 And, having sung a hymn, they went 
out into the ndount of Olives. 27 And 
Jesus saith to them, "All ye will be made 
to stumble; because it has been written, 'I 
will smite the Shepherd, and the sheep 
will be scattered abroad.' 28 But, after I 
am raised up, I will go before you into 
Galilee." 

Peter's denial eoretold. 

29 But Peter said to Him, " If even all 
should be made to stumble, yet will not 
II" 30 And Jesus saith to him, "Verily 
I say to you, that you to-day, in this night, 



before the cock crows twice, will thrice 
deny Me." 31 But he kept saying with 
great vehemence, " If I must die with Thee, 
I will not deny Thee! " And in like man- 
ner also said they all. 

HE ENTERS GETHSEMANE. 

32 And they come to a place the name 
of which is Gethsemane. And He saith to 
His disciples, "Sit ye here, while* I pray." 

And He taketh with Him Peter and James 
and John, and began to be greatly amazed, 
and to be in distress. 34 And He saith to 
them, " My soul is exceedingly sorrowful, 
unto deathl Abide here, and watch." 35 
And going forward a little. He fell on the 
ground, and was praying, that, if it were 
possible, the hour might pass away from 
Him. 36 And He said, "Abba, Father, 
all things are possible to Thee; take away 
this cup from Me; yet not what I will, but 
what Thou wilt." 37 And He cometh and 
findeth them sleeping, and saith to Peter, 
" Simon, are you sleeping? were you not 
able to watch one hour? 38 Watch, and 
pray, that ye enter not into temptation. 
The spirit, indeed, is willing, but the flesh 
is weak." 39 And, going away again. He 
prayed, saying the same thing. 40 And, 
returning. He found them again sleeping, 
for their ej^es were very heavy; and they 
knew not what to answer Him. 41 And 
He cometh the third time, and saith to 
them, " Sleep on the remaining time, and 
take your rest. It is enough; the hour 
came; behold, the Son of Man is betrayed 
into the hands of sinners. 42 Arise, let 
us be going. Behold, he that is betraying 
Me has come near." 

43 And straightway, while He yet spake, 
comes Judas, one of the twelve, and with 
him a multitude with swords and clubs, 
from the high priests and the scribes and 
the elders. 44 Now he that was betraying 
Him gave them a signal, saying, " Whom- 
soever I shall kiss. This is He, take Him, 
and lead Him away securely." 45 And, 
having come, going straightway to Him, 
he says, " Rabbi ; " and kissed ^ Him. 46 



1 Or. delivered up. 

22-24 The Lord^s Supper instituted; Matt. 26:26-28. 

29 Tet will not J; Peter felt very confident that he 
-would be true and loyal to Jesus, but the result a little 
further on shows how little he knew of himself. 

32-36 Christ's sufferinas in Gethsemane; Matt. 26:36-42. 

36 Abba; a Syriao word meaning father. 

40 Tlieir eves were very heavy; literally, pressed down. 



2 Or. until. 3 Gr. Kissed Sim much. 

Probably an unnatural drowsiness was permitted, provi- 
dentially, to come upon them, that Christ might be in 
complete loneliness in his sufferings. 

ii Sleep on the remaining time; see note on Matt. 26:45. 

45 Babbi; Hebrew word meaning teacher. Kissed Him; 
literally, kissed Him much, or eagerly. There has been 
much deceitful kissing besides that of Judas. 



MARK 



76 



And they laid hands on Him, and took 
Him. 

47 And one of those standing bj-, having 
drawn his sword, smote the servant of the 
high priest, and struck off his ear. 48 And 
Jesus answering, said to them, " Did ye 
come out as against a robber, with swords 
and clubs, to seize Me ? 49 1 was daily with 
you in the temple teaching, and ye did not 
take Me; but this is done that the Scrip- 
tures may be fulfilled." 50 And, having 
left Him, they all fled. 

51 And a certain young man was follow- 
ing with Him, having a linen cloth thrown 
around his naked hody; and they lay hold 
on him; 52 but, leaving the linen cloth, 
he fled naked. 

53 And they led Jesus away to the high 
priest; and there come together with him 
aJl the high priests and the elders and the 
scribes. 54 And Peter followed Him afar 
off, even within into the court of the high 
priest; and he was sitting with the attend- 
ants,* and he was warming himself at the 
light of the fire. 55 And the high priests 
and all the Sanhedrin were seeking for 
testimony against Jesus, in order to put 
Him to death; and they were not finding 
it. 56 For many were bearing false testi- 
mony against Him, and their testimonies 
were not agreed. 57 And certain ones, 
standing up, were bearing false testi- 
mony against Him, saying, 58 "We 
heard Him say, ' I will, destroy this tem- 
ple made with hands, and in three days 
I will build another made without hands.' " 
59 And not even so did their testimony 
agree. 60 And the high priest stood up 
in the midst, and asked Jesus, saying, 



4 Or, officers of low rank. 



"Dost Thou answer nothing? What do 
these testify against You?" 61 But He 
was silent, and answered nothing. Again 
the high priest asked Him, and says to 
Him, ' Art Thou the Christ, the Son of the 
Blessed ? " 62 And Jesus said, " I am; and 
ye shall see the Son of Man sitting on the 
right hand of Power, and coming with the 
clouds of heaven." 63 And the high priest, 
rending his clothes, says, " What further 
need have we of witnesses ? 64 Ye heard 
the blasphemy: what think ye?" And they 
all condemned Him to be worthy of death. 
65 And some began to spit on Him, and to 
cover His face, and to buffet Him, and to 
say to Him, "Prophesy;" and the officers 
received Him with blows of their hands. '^ 
66 And, as Peter was beneath in the 
court, there comes one of the maids of the 
high priest; 67 and, seeing Peter warming 
himself, she looked at him, and says, " You 
also were with the Nazarene, Jesus." 68 But 
he denied, saying, "I neither know nor 
understand what you are saying." And 
he went out into the porch** [and the cock 
crowed].* 69 And the maid, seeing him, 
began again to say to those standing by, 
"This is one of them." 70 But he again 
denied. And, after a little while, those 
who stood by said to Peter, " Of a truth 
you are one of them; for you are a Gali- 
Isean." 71 But he began to curse, and to 
swear, "I know not This Man of Whom 
ye speak." 72 And straightway the sec- 
ond time the cock crowed. And Peter re- 
membered the word, how Jesus said to 
him, "Before the cock crows twice, you 
will deny Me thrice." And, having 
thought thereon, he kept weeping. 



) Or, with stroTics of rods. 6 Gr. Fuie-cvurt. 
'Many ancient Mss. omit the words in brackets. 



49 That the Scriptures may be fulflUed; Isa. 53:3-6,10. 
12; Ps. 22:1. 

55 >SareA«(Zrtra.- the highest Jewish tribunal. Itwasnotdiffl- 
cult to get together this court, when Jesus was to be tried. 



58 / will destroy this temple; but Jesus never said 
such thing; see John 2:19, 21. 
68-71 Peter's denial; Matt. 26:69-74. 



CHAPTER XV. 

1 And straightway in the morning the 
high priests with the elders, and the 
scribes, and the whole Sanhedrin, having 
held a consultation, binding Jesus, car 
ried Him away, and delivered Him up to 
Pilate. 2 And Pilate asked Him, "Art 
Thou the King of the Jews?" And He, 
answering, saith to him, "You say «^." 3 
And the high priests accused Him of 



many things. 4 And Pilate again asked 
Him, saying, "Answerest Thou nothing? 
Behold how many things they accuse Thee 
of!" 5 But Jesus no longer made any 
answer; so that Pilate marvelled. 

6 Now at the feast he was wont to re- 
lease to them one prisoner, whom they 
asked of him. 7 And there was one called 
Barabbas, bound with the insurgents, who, 
in the insurrection, had committed mur- 



76 



MARK 



der. 8 And, coming up, the multitude 
began to ask him to do as he was wont to 
do to them. 9 And Pilate answered them, 
saying, " Do you wish me to release to you 
the King of the Jews?" 10 (For he was 
coming to understand that because of envy 
the high priests had delivered Him up). 
11 But the high priests stirred up the 
multitude, that he should rather release 
to them Barabbas. 12 And Pilate, again 
answering, said to them, "What, then, 
shall I do to Him Whom ye call the King 
of the Jews?" 13 And they cried out 
again, "Crucify Him!" 14 And Pilate 
said to them, "Why, what evil did He 
do?" But they cried out vehemently, 
"Crucify Him!" 15 And Pilate, wishing 
to satisfy the multitude, released to them 
Barabbas, and delivered up Jesus, after 
having scourged Him, to be crucified. 

THE ROMAN SOLDIERS MOCK HIM. 

16 And the soldiers led Him away 
within the court, which is the Prsetorium; 
and they call together the whole band. 17 
And they clothe Him with purple; and, 
having platted a crown of thorns, they 
put it on Him. 18 And they began to sa- 
lute Him, "Hail King of the Jews!" 19 
And they were smiting His head with a 
reed, and kept spitting on Him; and, bow- 
ing their knees, they were worshiping 
Him! 20 And, when they mocked Him, 
they took from Him the purple, and put 
on Him His own garments. And they 
lead Him out to crucify Him. 21 And they 
impress one Simon, a Cyrenian, who was 
passing by, coming from the country, the 
father of Alexander and Rufus, to bear 
His cross. 

THEY CRUCIFY HIM. 

22 And they bring Him to the place 
Golgotha, which is, being interpreted, 
" 77i<? place of a skull." 23 And they were 
offering Him wine mingled with myrrh; 
but He did not take it. 24 And they cru 
cify Him, and divide His garments, cast 
ing lots upon them, what each should take. 



25 And it was the third hour, and they 
crucified Him. 26 And the inscription of 
His accusation was written above Him, 
"THE KING OF THE JEWS." 27 
And with Him they crucify two robbers; 
one on His right hand, and one on His 
left. * 29 And those passing by railed 
on Him, wagging their heads, and saying, 
" Aha! Thou Who destroy est the temple, 
and buildest it in three days! 30 save 
Thyself, coming down from the cross!" 
31 In like manner the high priests, mock- 
ing Him among themselves with the 
scribes, said, " He saved others; Himself. 
He cannot save! The Christ! the King of 
Israel! 32 Let Him now come down from 
the cross, that we may see, and believe!" 
And those who were crucified with Him 
were reproaching Him. 

33 And, the sixth hour having come, 
there was darkness upon the whole land 
until the ninth hour. 34 And at the ninth 
hour Jesus cried with aloud voice, "Eloi, 
Eloi, lama SABACHTHANi!" which is, be- 
ing interpreted, "My God! My God! 
why didst Thou forsake Me!" 35 And 
some of those standing by, hearing it, 
said, "Behold, He is calling Elijah!" 36 
And one, running and filling a sponge full 
of vinegar, putting it on a reed, gave it to 
Him to drink, saying, "Let alone; let us 
see whether Elijah is coming to take Him 
down." 37 And Jesus, uttering a loud 
cry, expired. 38 And the veil of the 
temple was rent in two from the top to 
the bottom. 39 And the centurion, who 
stood by over against Him, seeing that He 
so expired, said, " Truly this Man was the 
Son of God!" 40 And there were also 
women, beholding from afar, among whom 
were Mary Magdalene, and Mary the 
mother of James the less and Joses, and 
Salome; 41 who, when He was in Gali- 
lee, were following Him, and ministering 



*Many ancient authorities insert v. 28: And the Scrip- 
ture was fulfilled which says, "And He was reckoned with 
the lawless." 



NOTES ON CHAPTER XV. 

1-20 Christ before Pilate: Matt. 27:1-31. 

10 Because of envy; because of His fearless teaching in 
exposing- the rottenness of the religious magnates. 

16 Prmtorium: the hall where the governor or pr»tor 
held his court. 

19 A reed; which, in mockery, they placed in His hand 
as a scepter. Worshiped Him; howed before Him in de 
rision. 



22-39 The crucifixion; Matt. 27:32-64. 

23 Vfine mingled with myrrh; see note on Matt. 27:34. 

25 Thirdhour; nine o'clock in the morning. 

29 The King of the Jews; this was the principal charge 
preferred against Him before Pilate, made with the view 
of establishing His disloyalty to Csesar. 

33 From the sixth hour . . . ninth hour; from twelve 
o'clock until three in the afternoon. 

40-47 Christ's burial; Matt. 27:55-61. 



MAEK 



77 



to Him; and many other women who came 
up with Him to Jerusalem. 

HIS BUEIAL. 

42 And, evening having already come, 
since it was the Preparation, that is, the 
day before the sabbath, 43 there came 
Joseph of Arimathsea, an honorable coim- 
cillor; who also himself was looking for 
the Kingdom of God; and boldly went in 
to Pilats, and asked for the body of Jesus. 
44 And Pilate wondered, if He had al- 



ready died; and, calling to him the centu- 
rion, he asked him, whether He were al- 
ready dead. 46 And, having learned it 
from the centurion, he granted the Corpse 
to Joseph. 46 And he, having brought 
linen cloth, and having taken Him down, 
wrapped Him in the linen cloth, and laid 
Him in a tomb which had been hewn out 
of a rock; and he rolled a stone against 
the door of the tomb. 47 And Mary 
Magdalene, and Mary the mother of Joses, 
beheld where He was laid. 



CHAPTER XVI. 

1 And, the sabbath having past, Mary 
Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, 
and Salome, bought spices, that, coming, 
they might anoint Him. 2 And, very 
early on the first day of the week, they 
come to the tomb, the sun having risen. 
3 And they were saying among themselves, 
''Who will roll away the stone for us out 
of the door of the tomb ? " 4 And, looking 
up, they see that the stone iias been rolled 
back; for it was exceedingly great. 5 And, 
entering into the tomb, they saw a young 
man sitting on the right side, clothed in 
white robe; and they were amazed. 6 But 
lie says to them; " Be not amazed. Ye are 
seeking Jesus the Nazarene, the crucified. 
He arose; He is not here; behold, the 
place where they laid Him! 7 But go, say 
to his disciples, and to Peter, that He is 
going before you into Galilee; there shall 
ye see Him, as He said to you." 8 And, 
going out, they fled from the tomb; for 
trembling and astonishment seized them. 
And they said nothing to any one; for they 
were afraid. 

9 And, having risen early on the first 
day of the week. He appeared first to Mary 
Magdalene from whom He had cast out 
seven demons. 10 She, going, told it to 
those who had been with Him, as they were 



mourning and weeping. 11 And they, 
having heard that he was alive, and was 
seen by her, disbelieved. 12 And after 
these things He appeared in another form 
to two of them, as they were walking, go- 
ing into the country; 13 and they, going 
away, told it to the rest; neither did they 
believe them. 

14 And afterward He was manifested to 
the eleven themselves, as they were reclin- 
ing at table, and upbraided them for their 
unbelief and hardness of heart, because 
they believed not those who saw Him after 
He had risen. 

15 And He said to them, " Going into 
all the _world, preach the Gospel to the 
whole creation. 16 He that believes and 
is immersed shall be saved; but he that dis- 
believes shall be condemned. 17 And 
these signs shall accompany those having 
believed: in My name will they cast out 
demons; they will speak with tongues; 18 
they will take up serpents; and, if they 
drink any deadly thing, it will not hurt 
them; they will lay hands on the sick, and 
they will recover." 

19 The Lord Jesus, therefore, after He 
spake to them, was caught up into Heaven, 
and sat down at the right hand of God. 20 
And they, going forth, preached every- 
where, the Lord working with them, and 
confirming the word through the signs 
closely following. 



NOTES ON CHAPTER XVI. 
1-8 The resurrection; Matt. 28:1-6. 

I Anoint Him; to preserve His body from decay. 

II Disbelieved; tbis shows how little impression the 
numerous declarations of Jesus, regarding His resurrec- 
tion, had made on their minds. 

9-20 The two oldest Greek manuscripts, and some other 
documents, end this Gospel with t. 8. The doctrines 
taught in these verses are true, however, whether Mark 
wrote them or not. The casting out of demons is taught 
in Matt. 10:8, and in many other Scriptures; as also heal 



ing. Speaking with tongues is provided for in Acts 2:4; 
I Cor. 12. etc. ; taking up serpents (accidentally, of course). 
Acts 28:3-5; and drinking poison (through mistake) Is 
provided for in John 14:13, 14. 

The reason why this larger Gospel— or the Gospel for 
spirit, soul, and body— is known and practiced so little, is 
to be found in the fact that so few believers know any- 
thing, experimentally, of Christ enthroned in the heart. 
The days of miracles are, indeed, past, but only in the 
case of those who have not come into fellowship with the 
Holy Trinity. 



— THE — 

GOSPEL ACCORJ)I]SrG TO LUKE. 



liuke, the author.of this Gospel, was also the author, or amanuensis, of the Holy Spirit, in the production of 
the Acts of the Apostles, (Acts 1:1). Luke was the "beloved physician." (Col. 4:14). and the traveling companion of 
Paul in several of his missionary journeys; and it is possible, if not probable, that Luke had Paul's sanction and 
approval to both this Gospel and to the Acts as well. 

Luke does not profess to write as an eye-witness, but as one who carefully collected his.material from those who 
were such, f Acts 1:1-4). 

Though he has much in common with Matthew and Mark, he has much that the others do not record. 

If Matthew's Gospel was written for the Jews, and Mark's for the Romans, Luke's seems to have been writtea 
forthewhole world, but more particularly for the gentiles, (see Luke 4:25-27; 9:51-56; 17:15-19; 10:29-37; 14:15-24). 

CONTENTS. 

L Preparation to write his Gospel, (1:1-4). IL Nativity and childhood of Jesus, (1:5— 11). III. Beginning of 
Christ's ministry. (III). IV. His temptation, (IV:l-9). V. His ministry in Galilee. (IV:10—IX:50). VI. (His last 
journey to Jerusalem, with samples of His teachings, (IX:51— XVIII: 43). VII. His sufferings, death, resurrection and 
ascension. (XIX— XXIV). 

Luke has considerable matter not found in any of the other (Jospels; but as no one of the writers of these Gos- 
pels professes to give all that Jesus did and said during His earthly ministry, this does not militate against the credi- 
bility of Luke's Gospel, or of any of the others. 



LUKE. 

CHAPTER I. 

1 Forasmuch as many took in hand to 
arrange in order a narrative concerning 
the facts that have been fully confirmed 
among us, 2 even as those who from the 
beginning were eye-witnesses and minis- 
ters of the word delivered them to us; 3 
it seemed good to me also, having traced 
all things accurately from the first, to 
write to you an orderly account, most no- 
ble Theophilus; 4 that you may fully 
know the certainty of the words wherein 
you were instructed. 

ZACHARIAH AND ELIZABETH. 

5 There was in the days of Herod, king 
of Judaea, a certain priest, Zachariah by 
name, of the course of Abia; and he had a 
wife of the daughters of Aaron, and her 
name was Elizabeth. 6 And they were 
both righteous before God, walking in all 
the commandments and ordinances of the 
law blameless. 7 And they had no child, 



NOTES ON CHAPTER L 

1 Many; many persons wrote about Christ, and His 
marvellous works, but it is fair to suppose that God selected 
His own men to give the New Testament Scriptures to the 
world, and that He used them for this purpose. 

2 From the beginnina; from the beginning of the things 
they were writing about. 

3 Saving traced all things accurately; Luke no doubt, 
used great precaution in sifting the different reports, so as 
to get the exact facts. Theophilus; friend of God — sup- 
posed to be a prominent man of Luke's acquaintance. 

5 Course of Abia; the priests were divided into twenty- 
four courses, or classes, (I Chr. 24:7-18). Each officiated 
a week, from one sabbath to the next. The course of Abia, 
ovAbijah, was the eighth, (see I Chr. 24:10). Abia is the 
Greek for the Hebrew Abijah. 



because Elizabeth was barren, and both 
were far advanced in their days. 

i Now it came to pass, that, while he 
was doing priestly service in the order of 
his course before God, 9 it fell to his 
lot, according to the custom of the priest's 
office, having gone into the temple of the 
Lord, to offer incense; 10 and all the mul- 
titude of the people were praying without 
at the hour of the incense-offering. 11 
And there appeared to him an angel of 
the Lord, standing on the right side of the 
altar of incense. 12 And Zachariah, see- 
ing him, was troubled; and fear fell upon 
him. 13 But the angel said to him, "Fear 
not, Zachariah; because your supplication 
was heard; and your wife Elizabeth shall 
bear you a son, and you shall call his name 
John. 14 Anci you will have joy and 
gladness; and many will rejoice at his 
birth; 15 for he will be great before the 
Lord; and he will drink no wine nor 
strong drink; and he will be filled with 
the Holy Spirit, even from his mother's 
womb. 16 And many of the sons of Is- 



9 To Offer incense; to burn it. This was accounted the 
most honorable service in the ordinary routine of priestly 
duty. 

11 An angel of the Lord; it had been nearly four hundred 
years since the prophet Malachihad closed his prophecy; 
and, as the long-expected Messiah was about to come, God 
now opened communication with His people again; and, as 
John was to be the messenger " to precede the Messiah, the 
angel announces his early coming. 

13 J'oto; signifies, "The Lord graciously gave." John, 
th-eretore, was a special gift of God to his parents and ta 
the Jewish race. 

15 And driiik no wine nor strong drink; John was to be 
under the law of the Nazarites. (see Judg. 16:17; Num- 
6:1-10). 



LUKE 



79 



rael will he turn to the Lord their God. 
17 And he will go before Him in the 
spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the 
hearts of the fathers to their children, and 
the disobedient to walk in the wisdom of 
the righteous, to make ready for the Lord 
a people prepared. 

18 And Zachariah said to the angel, 
"By what shall I know this? for I am an 
old man, and my wife is far advanced in 
her days." 19 And the angel, answering, 
said to him, "I am Gabriel, who have 
been standing near before God, and I was 
sent to speak to you, and to proclaim these 
glad tidings to you. 20 And, behold, you 
shall be silent, and not able to speak, un- 
til the day that these things shall come to 
pass; because you did not believe my 
words, which shall be fulfilled in their 



21 And the people were waiting for 
Zachariah, and they were wondering at 
his tarrying in the temple. 22 And, hav- 
ing come out, he was not able to speak to 
them, and they perceived that he had seen 
a vision in the temple; and he kept mak- 
ing signs to them, and remained dumb. 

23 And it came to pass, when the days 
of his ministration were fulfilled, he de- 
parted to his house; 24 and, after these 
days, Elizabeth his wife conceived; and 
she hid herself five months, saying, 25 
"Thus hath the Lord done to me in the 
days wherein He looked upon me^ to take 
away my reproach among men!" 

Gabriel's message to mart. 

26 And in the sixth month the angel 
Gubriel was sent from God to a city of 
Gtililee, the name of which was Nazareth, 
27 to a virgin espoused to a man whose 
name was Joseph, of the house of David; 
and the name of the virgin was Mary. 28 
And, the angel, coming in to her, said, 



"Hail, highly favored one, the Lord is 
with you." 29 But she was troubled at 
the saying, and was deliberating as to 
what kind of salutation this might be. 

30 And the angel said to her, "Fear 
not, Mary; for you found favor from 
God. 31 And, behold, you shall conceive 
in your womb, and shall bring forth a Son, 
and you shall call His name Jesus. 32 
He shall be great, and shall be called Son 
of the Most High; and the Lord God will 
give to Him the throne of His father 
David; 33 and He shall reign over the 
house of Jacob forever; and of His King- 
dom there shall be no end." 34 And 
Mary said to the angel, " How shall this 
be, since I know not a man? " 

35 And the angel, answering, said ta 
her, "The Holy Spirit will come upon 
you, and the power of the Most High will 
overshadow you; wherefore also the Holy 
Thing that is begotten shall be called the 
Son of God. 36 And, behold, Elizabeth, 
your kinswoman, she also has conceived a 
son in her old age, and this is the sixth 
month with her who was called barren; 
37 because no word from God shall be 
without power." 

38 And Mary said, " Behold, the hand- 
maid of the Lord; may it be to me accord- 
ing to your word." And the angel de- 
parted from her. 

MARY VISITS ELIZABETH. 

39 And Mary, arising in those days, 
went into the hill country with haste, into 
a city of Judah; 40 and entered into the 
house of Zachariah, and saluted Elizabeth. 
41 And it came to pass that, as Elizabeth 
heard the salutation of Mary, the babe 
leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was 
filled with the Holy Spirit; 42 and she 
lifted up her voice, with a loud cry, and 
said, "Blessed are you among women, 



I 



17 He will go before Him; John went before Christ. 
making ready a people to receive Him. John was not a 
re-incarnation of Elijah; but he came in the zeal and fear- 
lessness of Elijah, as predicted in Mai. 4:5. 

19 Gabriel; "God's strong one." He was sent to Dan- 
iel to make known to him things pertaining to the Mes- 
siah. (Dan. 8:16; 9:21-26). 

22 Ee was making signs tnthem; to show that he had 
received a vision. 

25 To take away mv reproach: to have no children was 
considered a reproach among the Jews; while a family of 
children was considered a great blessing, (I. Sam. 1:6-11; 
Ps. 113:9; 128:3). 



28 Favored one; favored because she was appointed to 
be the mother of the Messiah. 

31 Shall call His name Jesus: Jesus, in the Greek, is the 
same as Joshua in Hebrew; and means " The salvation of 
Jehovah." 

32 The throne of His father David,; God chose David to 
be king of Israel; and Jesus, David's lineal descendant ac- 
cording to His flesh, is to reign over united Israel, and over 
all the earth, (Zech. 14:9; Rev. 20:4). 

35 The Holy Thing begotten : meaning Thing begotten by 
the Holy Spirit. Son of Ood; or God's Son, because 
begotten by Him through the Holy Spirit. 

37 jS/ioU be without power; every promise of God shall 
be fulfilled, and it requires God's power to fulfill it. 



80 



LUKE 



and blessed is the fruit of your womb! 

43 And whence is this to me, that the 
mother of my Lord should come to me ? 

44 For, behold, as the voice of your salu- 
tation came into my ears, the babe in my 
womb leaped for joy! 45 And happy .is 
she who believed, because there shall be a 
fulfillment of the things spoken to her 
from the Lord!" 

46 And Mary said, " My soul magnifies 
the Lord; 47 and my spirit exults in 
God my Saviour; 48 because He looked 
upon the lowliness of His handmaid; for, 
behold, from the present time all genera- 
tions will call me happy; 49 because the 
Mighty One did great things for me; and 
Holy is His name! 50 And His mercy is 
unto generations and generations to those 
who fear Him. 51 He wrought might 
with His arm; He scattered men proud in 
the imagination of their heart. 52 He de- 
posed potentates from thrones, and ex- 
alted the lowly. 53 The hungry He filled 
with good things, and the rich He sent 
away empty. 54 He succored Israel His 
servant, to remember mercy, 55 (as He 
spake to our fathers), to Abraham and to 
his seed forever." 

56 And Mary abode with her about three 
months, and returned to her house. 

57 Now the time was completed for 
Elizabeth, that she should give birth, and 
she brought forth a son. 58 And her 
neighbors and kindred heard that the Lord 
was magnifying His mercy together with 
her; and they rejoiced with her. 59 And it 
came to pass, on the eighth day, that they 
came to circumcise the child; and they were 
calling him Zachariah, after the name of 
his father. 60 And his mother, answer- 
ing, said; "No; but he shall be called 
John." 



61 And they said to her, " There is no 
one of your kindred who is called by this 
name." 62 And they were making signs 
to his father, what he wished him to be 
called. 63 And, asking for a writing tab- 
let, he wrote, saying, "John is his name." 
And they all wondered. 64 And his 
mouth was instantly opened, and his 
tongue loosed, and he was speaking, bless- 
ing God. 65 And fear came upon all those 
dwelling around them. And in all the 
hill country of Judaea all these sayings 
were being much talked of; 66 and all 
who heard laid them up in their heart, say- 
ing, "What, then, shall this child be!" 
For, indeed, the hand of the Lord was with 
him. 

67 And Zachariah, his father, was filled 
with the Holy Spirit, and he prophesied, 
saying, 68 " Blessed he the Lord, the God 
of Israel, because He visited, and wrought 
redemption for His people; 69 and raised 
up a horn of salvation for us in the house 
of David His servant; 70 (as He spake 
through the mouth of His holy prophets 
from of old), 71 salvation from our en- 
emies, and from the hand of all who hate 
us ; 72 to show mercy towards our fathers, 
and to remember His holy covenant; 73 
the oath which He swore to Abraham, our 
father; 74 to grant to us that we, being 
delivered out of the hand of our enemies, 
might serve Him without fear, 75 in holi- 
ness and righteousness before Him all our 
days. 

76 "And you also, child, shall be called 
' Prophet of the Most High;' for you shall 
go before the face of the Lord, to prepare 
His ways; 77 to give knowledge of salva- 
tion to His people in remission of their 
sins, 78 because of the tender compassions 



43 Whence is this to me; why should I be so honored? 

45 Happy is she who 'believed; Mary believed a tar more 
■wonderful statement than the one over which Zachariah 
stumbled. 

48 Will call me happy; because of the fact that she. 
alone of women, was chosen fco be the mother ot Jesus. 
This high honor did not make Mary other than mortal ; 
and those who view her as a demi^goddess. and pay divine 
worship to her. are surely gruilty of idolatry. 

51 Wrought might with Bis arm; displayed Hts mighty 
power in protecting His people. 

55 He spaTie to our fathers; Gen. 12:1-3; 22:16-18. 

59 On the eighth day; after his birth; GJen. 21:4; Lev. 
12:3. 

00 He shall be called John; according to the statement 
to her husband in v. 13. 



62 And they wet e making signsto his father: this seems 
to imply that Zachariah was deaf as well as dumb. 

64 Hi's mouth was instantly opened; the promise of Ga- 
briel having now been accomplished, (v. 20). His tongue 
was loosed: the verb "was opened" is understood with 
tongue ; but the verb contains the use of the figure known 
as zeugma, in which the verb must have different mean- 
ings to adapt it to its different subjects. 

66 The hand of the Lord was with him ; the power and 
favor of God rested upon him. 

69 A horn of salvation; a mighty Saviour; the horn be- 
ing an emblem of power. In the house of David; among 
the descendants ot David. 

70 Holy prophets; or holy prophets from of old, (Gen. 
49:10; Deut. 18:15; Isa. 9:6. 7; 53:2-12). 

76 To prepare Sis ways; Isa. 40:3: Mai. 4:5; Matt. 3:3. 



LUKE 



81 



of the mercy of our God, wherein the day- 
spring' from on high shall visit us, 79 to 
shine upon those who sit in darkness and 



1 Or. siuirisc. 



the shadow of death, to guide our feet into 
the way of peace." 

80 And the child was growing, and becom- 
ing strong in spirit, and was in the deserts 
till the day of his manifestation to Israel. 



78 The dayspring frum on high; meaning Christ Him- 
self, or His glorious Gospel. 

79 Who sit in darkness; in the darkness of sin, (Ps. 14: 
1-3; Rom. 3:9-18). Into the way of peace; peace that comes 
through Christ. (Rom. 5:1; Phil. 4:7). 



And the child; John. In the deserts ; in the mountain 
deserts of Judsa. His manifestation; when God called 
him out to preach the Gospel of repentance, and to -im- 
merse the people. 



CHAPTER n. 

THE BIRTH OF JESUS. 

1 Now it came to pass, in those days, 
that there went forth a decree from Ctesar 
Augustus, that all the inhabited earth 
should be enrolled. 2 (This enrolment 
first was made, when Quirinius was gov- 
ernor of Syria). 3 And all were going to 
be enrolled, each to his own city. 4 And 
Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of 
the city of Nazareth, into Judtea, to the city 
of David, which is called Bethlehem, be- 
cause he was of the house and family of 
David; 5 to enrol himself with Mary his 
betrothed wife, being with child. 

6 And it came to pass, while they were 
there, that the days were fulfilled for her 
to give birth; . 7 and she brought forth 
her Son, the Firstborn, and wrapped Him 
in swaddling clothes, and laid Him in a 
manger, because there was no room for 
them in the inn. 

8 And there were shepherds in the same 
country abiding in the field, and keeping 
watch by night over their flock. 9 And 
an angel of the Lord stood by them, and 
the glory of the Lord shone round about 
them; and they were greatly frightened. 
10 And the angel said to them, "Fear not; 
for, behold, I bring you good tidings of 
great joy, which, indeed, shall be to all 
the people; 11 because there was born 
to-day, in the city of David, a Saviour, 
Who is Christ the Lord. 12 And this is 
the sign to you: ye will find a Babe 

NOTES ON CHAPTER 11. 

1 All the inhabited earth; meaning the Roman empi: 
most likely. Should be enrolled; that their numbers might 
be known and that their taxes might be collected system 
atically. 

2 First Mias made; Quirinius appears to have made two 
enrolments; the first just before the birth of Jesus, and 
second one some years later. 

3 Each to his own city; the place where his ancestors 
lived. 

14 Peace: Jesus is the "Prince of peace," (Isa. 9:6) 



wrapped in swaddling clothes, and lying 
in a manger." 

13 And suddenly there was with the 
angel a multitude of the Heavenly host, 
praising God, and saying, 14 " Glory to 
God in the highest; and, on earth, peace 
among men of good will! " ' 

15 And it came to pass, when the angels 
went away from them into Heaven, that 
the shepherds were saying one to another, 
'Let us go over at once to Bethlehem, 
and see this thing that has come to pass, 
which the Lord made known to us." 16 
And, making haste, they went, and found 
both Mary and Joseph, and the Babe ly- 
ing in the manger. 17 And, having seen 
Ilhn, they made known concerning the 
saying spoken to them about this Child. 

18 And all who heard wondered at the 
things spoken to them by the shepherds. 
19 But Mary was closely keeping all these 
sayings, pondering them in her heart. 20 
And the shepherds returned, glorifying 
and praising God for all they heard and 
saw, as it was spoken to them. 

THE CIRCUMCISION AND PRESENTATION OF 
JESUS IN THE TEMPLE. 

21 And, when eight days were fulfilled 
for circumcising Him, His name was 
called Jesus — which was so called by the 
angel before He was conceived in the 
womb. 

22 And, when the days of their purifi- 
cation according to the law of Moses were 



1 Or, of Sis good pleasure. 

When the penitent sinner believes in Christ, he has " peace 
with God;" and, when he enthrones Christ in his heart, he 
has "the peace of God that passeth all understanding," 
(Phil. 4:7). 

19 Pondering them in her heaH; thinking them over, and 
storing them up in her heart. 

23 T/ie days of their purification; after giving birth to a 
child, a Jewish mother was required to remain at home. 
and was unclean for forty days. These forty days were the 
days of her purification. But she was required, if able, to 
offer a lamb for a burnt-offering; and for a sin-offering, a 
dove, or a young pigeon, (Lev. 13:3-8). 



82 



LUKE 



fulfilled, they brought Him up to Jerusa- 
lem, to present Him to the Lord, 23 (as 
it has been written in the law of the Lord-^ 
" Every male opening the womb shall be 
called holy to the Lord"); 24 and to 
offer sacrifice according to what is said in 
the law of the Lord, " A pair of turtle- 
doves, or two young pigeons." 25 And, 
behold, there was a man in Jerusalem 
whose name was Simeon; and this man 
was righteous and devout, looking for the 
Consolation of Israel; and the Holy Spirit 
was upon him. 26 And it had been re- 
vealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he 
would not see death, before he should see 
the Christ of the Lord. 27 And he came 
in the Spirit into the temple; and, when 
the parents brought in the Child Jesus, 
that they might do concerning Him ac- 
cording to the custom of the* law, 28 he 
received Him into his arms, and blessed 
God, and said, 29 "Now Thou releasest 
Thy servant in peace. Lord, according to 
Thy word; 30 because my eyes saw Thy 
Salvation, 31 Which Thou didst prepare 
before the face of all peoples; 32 a Light 
for a revelation to the nations, and for a 
glory of Thy people Israel." 

33 And His father and mother were 
wondering at the things spoken concern- 
ing Him. 34 And Simeon blessed them, 
and said to Mary His mother, "Behold, 
This Child is set for the falling and rising 
of many in Israel, and for a sign spoken 
against, 35 (and a sword shall pierce 
through your own soul); that thoughts out 
of many hearts may be revealed." 

36 And there was Anna, a prophetess, 
daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher, 
(she was far advanced in days, having 
lived with a husband seven years from her 
virginity; 37 and she had 'been a widow 
as much as eighty-four years), who de- 
parted not from the temple, serving with 



fastings and supplications night and day. 
38 And, coming up at that very hour, she 
was making confession to God, and was 
speaking concerning Him to all who were 
looking for the redemption of Jerusalem. 
19 And, when they accomplished all 
things according to the law of the Lord, 
they returned into Gralilee, to their own 
city, Nazareth. 40 And the Child was 
growing, and was becoming strong, being 
filled with wisdom; and the grace of God 
was upon Him. 

JESUS AT TWELVE TEARS OF AGE IN THE 
TEMPLE. 

41 And His parents used to go annually 
to Jerusalem at the feast of the passover. 
42 And, when He became twelve years 
old, they, going up according to the cus- 
tom of the feast, 43 and having com- 
pleted the days, as they were returning, 
the Boy Jesus remained behind in Jerusa- 
lem, and His parents knew it not; 44 
but, supposing Him to be in the company, 
they went a day's journey; and they were 
seeking Him among their kindred and ac- 
quaintances; 45 and, not finding Him^ 
they returned to Jerusalem, seeking Him. 

46 And it came to pass that, after three 
days, they found Him in the temple, sit- 
ting in the midst of the teachers, both, 
hearing them, and asking them questions. 

47 And all who heard Him were aston- 
ished at His understanding and answers. 

48 And, seeing Him, they were amazed; 
and His mother said to Him, "Child, why 
didst Thou treat us thus? Behold, Thy 
father and I were seeking Thee, sorrow- 
ing!" 

49 And He said to them, " Why were 
ye seeking Me ? Did ye not know that I 
must be in My Father's business ? " ^ 60 
And they understood not the saying that 



Or, house. 



23 Holy to the Lord; as His peculiar property, (Ex. 13 : 12) , 

25 Looking for the Consolation of Israel ; the Messiah, the 

Source of consolation. 

34 For a falling and a rising; a falling to those who 
■would reject Him, and a rising to all who would accept Him 

35 A sword shall pierce through your own soul; when she 
should witness her Son's sufferings and death on the ci 
That the thoughts out of many hearts may be revealed: by 
their estimate and treatment of Jesus their real characters 
would he revealed. 

36 Asher; Some of this tribe remained with the tribe of 
Judah, after the captivity. 

37 Departed not; remained in the temple, delighting 
herself in the worship of God. 



39 They returned into Galilee; Luke fails to mention the 
facts that the wise men from the east called to see the in- 
fant Jesus, and that Joseph and Mary went with Jesus into 
Egypt, to keep Him from being killed by Herod, (Matt. 
2:7-12, 13-15). 

43 Having completed the days; the ei ght day s of the pass- 
over; one for preparation, and seven for the observance of 
the feast, (Ex. 12:15; Lev. 23:5,6). 

44 In the company; of kindred and friends, who were 
traveling together. 

49 To be in My Father's business; or among My Father's 
matters; which, in the present case, was studying His- 
Father's law, in His Father's house. 

50 Understood not the saying; regarding His being occu- 
pied with His Father's matters. 



LUKE 



He spake to tliem. 51 And He went down 
with them, and came into Nazareth, and 
was subject to them. And His mother 



kept all these sayings in her heart. 62 
And Jesus kept advancing in wisdom and 
stature, and in favor with God and men. 



51 Subject to them; obeyed them as an affectionate and 
obedient son. 
58 Kept advancing in wisdom; as human, of course ; as 



God, He knew all things, and could not increase in wisdom. 
It was as the God-man that Jesus dealt with sin, and 
brought in everlasting righteousness to our race. 



CHAPTER HI. 

1 Now in the fifteenth year of the reign 
of Tiberius Csesar — Pontius Pilate being 
governor of Judaea, and Herod tetrarch of 
Galilee, and liis brother Philip tetrarch of 
Itursea and of the country of Trachonitis, 
and Lysanias tetrarch of Abilene, 2 in 
the high priesthood of Annas and 
Caiaphas, the word of God came to John, 
the son of Zachariah, in the wilderness; 
3 and he came into all the region of the 
Jordan, preaching the immersion of re- 
pentance unto remission of sins; 4 as it 
has been written in the book of the words 
of Isaiah the prophet, " The voice of one 
crying in the wilderness, ' Prepare ye the 
way of the Lord; make straight His paths. 
5 Every valley shall be filled, and every 
mountain and hill shall be brought low; 
and the crooked shall become straight, 
and the rough ways smooth; 6 and all 
flesh shall see the salvation of God.' " 

7 He was saying, therefore, to the mul- 
titudes coming forth to be immersed by 
him, "Broods of vipers! who warned you 
to flee from the coming wrath? 8 Pro- 
duce, therefore, fruits worthy of repent- 
ance; and begin not to say within your- 
selves, 'We have Abraham as our father'; 
for I say to you, that God is able out of 



these stones to raise up children to Abra- 
ham. 9 And already the axe also is lying 
at the root of the trees; every tree, there- 
fore, not producing good fruit, is cut 
down, and cast into the fire." 

10 And the multitudes were asking him, 
saying, "What, then, shall we do?" 11 
And he, answering, said to them, "Let 
him who has two coats share with him 
who has none; and let him who has food 
do likewise." 

12 And there came tax-collectors to be 
immersed, and they said to him, " Teacher, 
what shall we do ? " 

13 And he said to them, " Exact no more 
than that which has been appointed you." 

14 And soldiers also were questioning 
him, saying, "What shall we do?" And 
he said to them, " Do violence to no one, 
neither accuse any one falsely, and be 
content with your wages." 

15 And, as the people were in expecta- 
tion, and all were reasoning in their hearts 
concerning John, whether perhaps he 
himself were the Christ, 16 John an- 
swered, saying to them all, "I, indeed, 
immerse you in water; but He is coming. 
Who is mightier than I — the latchet of 
Whose sandals I am not worthy to loose — 
He will immerse you in the Holy Spirit 
and in fire; 17 Whose fan is in His 



NOTES ON CHAPTER III. 

1 Tiberius Cmsar; the Roman emperor who succeeded 
Augustus Caesar, Serod; Herod Antipas, son of Herod the 
Great. Tetrarch; ruler of a fourth part. Iturcza; a country 
east of the Jordan. Trachonitis; a country north of Ituraea. 
Abilene; a country west of Damascus, and north of Galilee. 

2 Annas; as high priest was succeeded by Caiaphas; 
both were still living, though but one held the ofQce at the 
time. 

3 The immersion of repentance; the essential qualiflca 
tions on the part of those demanding immersion were re- 
pentance, (v. 8), and a belief in the coming Messiah, (v. 16) 
There can be no remission of sins without repentance, and 
faith in Christ as the Sin-bearer. 

i Isaiah; Isa. 40:3. 

7-9 John's preaching; Matt. 3:7-12. 

8 We have Abraham as father; depend not for salvation 
upon your natural ancestry. God is able out of these stones, 
God formed man out of the dust of the earth, and He is able 
to raise up true sons of Abraham from the very stones 
See John 8:39; Gal. 3:7, 29. 



The axe is lying at the root of the trees; as the axe is 
ready to be used in chopping down a profitless tree ; so the 
character that is not fruitful in good works is ripening for 
destruction, when it will be cast into Hell. 

WTiat shall we do; that we may show forth fruits 
suitable to repentance. John instructs each class not to 
abuse their authority, but to act justly in all things. 

13 Exact no more; collect no more taxes from the peo- 
ple than the government requires. 

15 In expectation; wondering whether John might not 
be the Messiah. 

16 He will immerse you in the Holy Spirit; the sacrifice 
of Christ, by which He put away sin (Heb. 9:26), opened 
the way for the Holy Spirit to come to the human family. 
Those who repent, and accept Christ as their Saviour, may, 
through utter surrender of themselves to God, come into 
the place where they receive this wonderful immersion, or 
submergence, in the Holy Spirit. And, as one abides in 
the Holy Spirit — being filled with Him day by day— His 
gracious presence is as a consuming fire passing through 
one's being, causing a blessed glow of warmth and heat 
which consumes the sinful elements in one's being. 



84 



LUKE 



hand, thoroughly to cleanse His threshing- 
floor, and to gather the wheat into His 
granary; but the chaff He will burn up 
with unquenchable fire." 

18 Therefore, indeed, exhorting tliem 
as to many and various tilings, he was 
proclaiming the good news to the people; 
19 but Herod, the tetrarch, being reproved 
by him concerning Herodias, the wife of 
his brother, and concerning all the evils 
which Herod did, 20 added this also to 
thein all, that he shut up John in prison. 

21 Now it came to pass, when all the 
people were immersed, that as Jesus also 
was immersed, and was praying Heaven 
was opened, 22 and the Holy Spirit de- 
scended upon Him in bodily form, as a 
dove; and a voice came out of Heaven, 
" Thou art My Son, the Beloved, in Whom 
I delighted." 

THE GENEALOGY Or JESUS. 

23 And Jesus Himself, when beginning 
His ministry^ was about thirty years old, 
being, as was supposed, the Son of Joseph, 
the son of Heli, 24 the son of Matthat, 
the son of Levi, the son of Melchi, the son 
of Jannai, the son of Joseph, 25 the son 
of Mattathias, the son of Amos, the sew of 
Nahum, the son of Esli, the son of Naggai, 



26 the son of Maath, the son of Matta- 
thias, the son of Semein, the son of Jo- 
sech, the son of Joda, 27 the son of Jo- 
anan, the son of Rhesa, the son of Zerubba- 
bel, the son of Shealtiel, the son of Neri, 
28 the son of Melchi, the son o\ Addi, the 
son of Cosam, the son of Elmadam, the 
son of Er, 29 the son of Jesus, the son of 
Eliezer, the son of Jorim, the son of Mat- 
that, the son of Levi, 30 the son of Sym- 
eon, the son of Judas, the son of Joseph, 
the son of Jonam, the son of Eliakim, 31 
the son of Melea, the son of Menna, the 
/ of Mattatha, the son of Nathan, the 
son of David, 32 the son of Jesse, the 
mn of Obed, the son of Boaz, the son of 
Salmon, the son of Nahshon, 33 the son 
of Araminadab, the son of Arni, the son of 
Hezron, the sonoi Perez, the son of Judah, 
34 the son of Jacob, the son of Isaac, the 
son of Abraham, the son of Terah, the son 
of Nahor, 35 the son of Serug, the sm% of 
Reu, the son of Peleg, the son of Eber, 
the son of Shelah, 36 the son of Cainan, the 
son of Arphaxad, the son- of Shem, the 
son of Noah, the son of Lamech, 37 the 
son of Mathuselah, the son of Enoch, the son 
of Jared, the son of Mahalaleel, the son of 
Cainan, 38 the son of Enos, the son of Seth, 
the son of Adam, the son of God. 



21 JesMS immersed; Matt. 3:13-17; Mark 1:8. 
23 About thirty years old; the age at wliicli priests en- 
tered upon their official duties. See Num. 4:3. 47. As was 



supposed; by those who were ignorant of the facts relating 
to His conception and hirth. 

It is thought hy some that Luke gives the genealogy of 
Mary, while Matthew gives that of Joseph her husband. 



CHAPTER IV. 

JESUS TEMPTED, OR TESTED. 

1 And Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, 
returned from the Jordan, and was being 
led in the Spirit in the wilderness 2 forty 
days, being tempted by the Devil. And 
He ate nothing in those days; and, when 
they were completed, He hungered. 3 
And the Devil said to Him, "If Thou art 
God's Son, command tliis stone, that it be 
come bread. "^ 4 And Jesus made an- 
swer to him, "If has been written, 'Not 



Gr. A loaf. 



on bread alone shall man live.' " 6 And, 
leading Him up, he showed Him all the 
kingdoms of the inhabited earth in a mo- 
ment of time. 6 And the Devil said to 
Him, " To Thee will I give all this author- 
ity, and the glory of them; because to me 
it has been delivered, and to whomsoever 
I will I give it. 7 If Thou, therefore, 
wilt worship before me, it shall all be 
Thine." 

8 And Jesus, answering, said to him, 
" It has been written, ' You shall worship 
the Lord your God, and Him only shall 
you serve. 



5»5 



NOTES ON CHAPTER IV. 

1-13 Christ's fasting and temptation in the wilderness 
Matt. 4:1-11. 

5 Be showed Rim all the kingdoms of the inhabited earth ; 
Satan had the control, in large measure, of the nations of 
the earth; nor is his claim to them revoked yet. His title 
was thaf, however, of a iisurper; and, if Jesus had com 
plied with Satan's offer, the latter, being a liar from the 
beginning, would not have relinquished his hold upon the 



nations. Satan will have his grip on the world broken, 
when Jesus, with His mighty warriors, captures his two 
great leaders, and shuts up Satan himself in the abyss for 
1,000 years, (Rev. 20:1-3) ; and at the close of the Millennium, 
he will be loosed for a little season, and will precipitate 
another revolt, but it will soon be quelohed, and Satan will 
be confined, forever and ever, in his place of torment, (Rev. 
20:7-10). 



LUKE 



85 



9 And he led Him to Jerusalem, and 
set Him on the pinnacle of the tcmi)le, 
and said to Him, " If Thou art God's Son, 
cast Thyself down hence; 10 for it has 
been written, 'He will command His an- 
gels concerning you, to keep watch over 
you; 11 and. on their hands they shall 
bear you up, lest haply you dash your 
foot against a stone.' " 

12 And Jesus, answering, said to him, 
" It has been said, ' You shall not tempt 
the Lord your God.' " 

13 And, having completed every temp- 
tation, the Devil departed from Him until 
a fitting season.* 

14 And Jesus returned in the power of 
the Spirit into Galilee; and a report went 
out concerning Him through all the re- 
gion round about. 15 And He taught in 
their synagogues, being glorified by all. 

JESUS REJECTED AT HOME. 

16 And He came to Nazareth, where He 
had been brought up; and He went, ac- 
cording to His custom, into the synagogue 
on the sabbath day, and stood up to read. 
17 And there was given to Him a book^ 
of the prophet Isaiah; and, opening the 
book,^ He found the place where it had 
been written, 18 "The Spirit of the Lord 
is upon Me; because He anointed Me to 
publish good tidings to the poor; He hath 
sent Me to proclaim release to captives, 
and recovery of sight to the blind, to send 
away the crushed in freedom, 19 to pro- 
claim an acceptable year of the Lord." 
20 And, having closed the ^ook,* He gave 
it back to the attendant, and sat down; 



2 Or, 



Or. roll. 4 Or, folcUna the roll. 



and the eyes of all in the synagogue were 
fastened on Him. 21 And He began to 
say to them, "To-day has this Scripture 
been fulfilled in your ears." 22 And all 
were bearing witness to Him, and were 
wondering at the words of grace which 
proceeded out of His mouth; and they 
said, "Is not this Joseph's Son?" 23 
And He said to them, " Ye will doubtless 
say to Me this parable, 'Physician, heal 
Thyself: whatsoever we heard of as done in 
Capernaum, do also here in Thy own coun- 
try.' " 24 And He said, "Verily I say to 
you, no prophet is acceptable in his own 
country. 25 But of a truth I say to you, 
there were many widows in Israel in the 
days of Elijah, when the heaven was shut 
up three years and six months, when there 
came a great famine upon all the land; 26 
and to no one of them was Elijah sent, ex- 
cept to Zarephath in the land of Sidon, 
to a woman who was a widow. 

27 "And there were many lepers in Is- 
rael in the time of Elisha the prophet; 
and no one of them was cleansed, except 
Naaman, the Syrian." 

28 And all in the synagogue were filled 
with wrath, on hearing these things; 29 
and, rising up, they cast "Him forth out 
of the city, and led Him to the brow of 
the hill on which their city had been built, 
to throw Him down headlong; 30 but He, 
passing through their midst, was going 
His way. 

HE VISITS CAPERNAUM. 

31 And He came down to Capernaum, 
a city of Galilee; and He was teaching 
them on the sabbath; 32 and they were 



14 Returned in Vie power of the Spirit; having defeated 
Satan in every attack, Jesus returned from the battlefield 
with the mighty power of God resting upon Him. His 
ciples also will have power, if they conquer Satan in the 
strength of Jesus, and live and walk in the Spirit, (Gal 
5:16, 25). 

17 And there twos given to Sim a book ; or a roll of parch- 
ment. The place where it was written: Isa. 61:1-3. This 
Scripture very clearly d3scribes His character and work as 
the Messiah. 

22 And were wondering at the words of grace; that Jesus 
spake, as He unfolded to them the nature of His mission 
as Messiah. 

23 This parable; or proverb. Physician, heal Thyself; 
do as much for your home people, as you have done for 
strangers, 

24 No prophet is acceptable in his own country; those 
who knew the prophet when he was a boy, are not so apt, 
as strangers, to honor him, when God calls him into prom- 
inence. 



25-27 Many widows; but Elijah was sent to a widow of 
another nationality, rather than to any of the widows in 
Israel, (see I Kings 17:9-24). And Naaman was the only 
leper healed through the ministry of Elisha, (II Kings 
5:14-17). These two examples seemed to justify Jesus in 
displaying more of His power among strangers, than 
among His own neighbors. Yet i t was their ignorance and 
prejudice that shut out the mighty displays of His power 
from them. 

28 Were filled with wrath : at His teachings, in which He 
justified His course in giving others greater displays of 
power than He had given them. 

29 Cost Him forth out of the city; they did not consider 
that Jesus was fit to remain within their city limits. To 
throw Him down headlong; they purposed even to murder 
Him. 

30 Passing through their midst; there was no power that 
could bind or hold Jesus, until the time appointed for His 
trial and crucifixion. 



86 



LUKE 



astonished at His teaching, because His 
word was with authority. 

A DEMON CAST OUT. 

33 And in the synagogue there was a 
man having a spirit of an unclean demon;' 
and he cried out with a loud voice, 34 
"Ha! what is there to us and to Thee, 
Jesus, Nazarene! Didst Thou come to de- 
stroy us? I know Thee, Who Thou art, 
the Holy One of God!" 

35 And Jesus rebuked it, saying, "Be 
silent, and come out from him." And the 
demon, hurling him into the midst, came 
out from him, having injured him naught. 

36 And amazement came upon all; and 
they were talking together, one with an- 
other, saying, "What is this word, that 
with authority and power He commandeth 
the unclean spirits, and they come out!" 

37 And there was going forth a report 
concerning Him into every place of the 
region round about. 

HE OUKETH SIMON's MOTHER-IN-LAW. 

38 And, rising up. He went out of the 



synagogue into the house of Simon. And 
the mother-in-law of Simon was afflicted 
with a great fever; and they besought 
Him concerning her. 39 And, standing 
over her. He rebuked the fever, and it 
Jeft her; and, immediately rising up, she 
was ministering to them. 40 And, as the 
sun was setting, all, as many as had cmy 
ailing with divers diseases, ' brought them 
to Him; and He, laying His hands on 
each one of them, was healing them. 41 
And demons also came out from many, 
crying out, and saying, "Thou art the 
Son of God." And, rebuking them. He 
was not suffering them to speak, because 
they knew Him to be the Christ. 

42 And, day coming on, going forth, 
He went into a desert place; and the mul- 
titudes were seeking after Him, and came 
to Him, and were trying to restrain Him 
from going away from them. 43 And He 
said to them, "It is needful that I pro- 
claim the good news of the Kingdom of 
God to the other cities also; because for 
this I was sent forth." 44 And He was 
preaching in the synagogues of Galilee. 



35 Burling Mmintothemidst; the demon, disliked to give 
up his home in the man, and threw him down violently in 
their midst. 



39 He rebuked the fever; it seems likely that He rebuked 
the demon that brought the fever; and, driving it out, the 
fever was broken up. 



CHAPTEE V. . 

A MrRACULOUS DRAUGHT OF FISHES. 

1 Now it came to pass, as the multitude 
was pressing upon Him, and hearing the 
word of God, that He was standing by the 
lake Gennesaret; 2 and He saw two boats 
standing by the lake; but the fishermen, 
having gone out of them, were washing 
their nets. 3 And, entering into one of 
the boats, which was Simon's, He asked 
him to put out a little from the land; and, 
having taken a seat. He was teaching the 
multitudes out of the boat. 

4 And, when He ceased speaking. He 
said to Simon, "Put out into the deep, and 
let down your nets for a draught." 

6 And Simon, answering, said, "Mas- 
ter, having toiled through the whole night. 



we took nothing; but at Thy word I will 
let down the nets." 6 And, doing this, 
they enclosed a great multitude of fishes; 
and their nets were breaking. 7 And 
they beckoned to their partners in the 
other boat, to come and help them. And 
they came, and filled both the boats, so 
that they were sinking. 8 And Simon 
Peter, seeing it, fell down at the knees of 
Jesus, saying, "Depart from me; because 
I am a sinful man, O Lord;" 9 for as- 
tonishment seized him, and all those with 
him, on account of the draught of the 
fishes which they took; 10 and likewise 
also James and John, sons of Zebedee, 
who were partners with Simon. And 
Jesus said to Simon, "Fear not; hence- 
forth you will catch* men." 11 And, hav- 



Gr. Take alive. 



NOTES ON CHAPTER V. 
2 Two boats ; small boats used by fishermen. 

5 At Thy word; we can always afford to obey Jesus, 
however dark the prospect to human sense. 

6 Enclosed a greatmultitude of fishes; when His servants 
throw out the Gospel net at the bidding of. Jesus, they may 

, to catch a great many sinners. 



8 Depart from me; a sense of his sins made Peter feel 
unpleasant in the presence of the great Messiah! 

ID You will catch men ; catching them alive, as the Greet 
suggests. You will still be a fisherman, but you will fish 
for men, rather than for fish. The disciples were nevei 
fully equipped as "fishers of men, " until they were fillecj 
with the Holy Spirit. This is what all preachers of the 
Gospel need to fit them for their work. 



LUKE 



87 



ing brought their boats to the land, leav- 
ing all, they followed Him. 

A LEPER CLEANSED. 

12 And it came to pass, while He was 
in one of the cities, behold, a man full of 
leprosy, and, when he saw Jesus, falling 
on his face, he besought Him, saying, 
" Lord, if Thou wilt, Thou canst make me 
clean." 13 And, stretching forth His 
hand, He touched him, saying, "lam will- 
ing; be made clean." And straightway 
the leprosy departed from him. 14 And 
He charged him to tell no one; but, "De- 
parting, show yourself to the priest, and 
offer for your cleansing, according as 
Moses commanded, for a testimony to 
them." 15 But the report concerning 
Him was going abroad the more; and 
many multitudes were coming together to 
hear, and to be healed of their infirmities. 
16 And He was wont to retire into the 
deserts, and pray. 

A PARALYTIC LET DOWN THROUGH THE 
ROOF AND HEALED. 

17 And it came to pass, on one of the 
days, that He was teaching; and there 
were sitting by Pharisees and teachers of 
the law, who had come out of every vil- 
lage of Galilee, and Judaea, and Jerusa- 
lem; and the power of the Lord was pres- 
ent with Him to heal. 18 And, behold, 
men bearing on a couch a man who was a 
paralytic, and they were seeking to bring 
liim in, and place him before Him. 19 
And, not finding by what means they 
might bring him in because of the multi- 
tude, having gone up on the housetop, 
they let him down through the tiles with 
the couch, into the midst, before Jesus. 
20 And, beholding their faith. He said, 
"Man, your sins are forgiven you." 

21 And the scribes and the Pharisees 
began to reason, saying, "Who is This 
that is speaking blasphemies? Who can 
forgive sins, but God only?" 

22 But Jesus, perceiving their reason- 
ings, answering, said to them, " Concern- 
ing what are ye reasoning in your hearts ? 
23 Which is easier, to say, 'Your sins are 



forgiven you,' or to say, ' Arise and walk?' 
24 But, that ye may know that the Son of 
Man hath authority on the earth to for- 
give sins (He said to the paralyzed maw), 
I say to you, arise; and, taking up your 
couch, go to your house." 

25 And, immediately rising up before 
them, having taken up that on which he 
was lying, he departed to his house, glori- 
fying God. 26 And astonishment seized 
them all, and they were glorifying God, 
and were filled with fear, saying, "We 
saw wonderful things to-day! " 

HE CALLS LEVI. 

27 And, after these things, He went 
forth, and beheld a tax-collector, Levi by 
name, sitting at the tax-office; and He 
said to him, "Follow Me." 28 And, hav- 
ing forsaken all, rising up, he followed 
Him. 

29 And Levi made a great reception for 
Him in his house; and there was a great 
multitude of tax-collectors and of others 
who were reclining at tahle with them. 
30 And the Pharisees and their scribes 
were murmuring against the disciples, 
saying, " Why are ye eating and drinking 
with the tax-collectors and sinners?" 31 
And Jesus, answering, said to them, 
"Those who are well have no need of a 
physician, but those who are sick. 32 I 
have not come to call the righteous, but 
sinners to repentance." 

WHEN THEY WILL FAST. 

33 And they said to Him, " The disci- 
ples of John fast often, and make suppli- 
cations; likewise also those of the Phari- 
sees; but Thine are eating and drinking!" 

34 And Jesus said to them, "Can ye 
make the sons of the bride-chamber fast, 
while the bridegroom is with them? 35 
But the days will come; and, when the 
bridegroom shall be taken away from 
them, then they will fast in those days." 

36 And He spake also a parable to them: 
" No one, rending a piece from a new gar- 
ment, puts it on an old garment; else both 



12-15 The leper cleansed, and sick healed; Matt. 8:1-4 
9:1-7. 

16 He was wont to retire into the deserts; if the blessed 
Son of God had the habit of retiring into secluded places 
to pray, how needful that we imitate His example in this I 



19 Through the tiles; through the roof of the house, 
which was covered with tiles, or pieces of dried clay. 
27-32 Levi, or Matthew, called; Matt. 9:9-13. 
33-35 Disciples fasting; Matt. 9:14, 15. 
36-38 See notes on Matt. 9:16, 17. 



LUKE 



the new will cause a rent, and the piece from 
the new will not agree with the old. 

37 " And no one puts new wine into old 
wine-skins; else the new wine will burst 



the skins, and it will be poured out, and 
the skins will perish. 38 But new wine 
must be put into fresh skins. 39 And no 
one, having drunk old wine^ wishes new; 
for he says, 'The old is mellow.'" 



CHAPTER VI. 



THE DISCIPLES PLUCK GRAIN ON THE SAB- 
BATH. 

1 And it came to pass on a sabbath, 
that He was going through grainfields; 
and His disciples were plucking and eat- 
ing the heads of grain, rubbing them with 
their hands. 2 But some of the Pharisees 
said, "Why are ye doing that which is not 
lawful to do on the sabbath ? " 

3 And Jesus, answering, said to them, 
"Did ye never read this that David did, 
when he was hungry, and those with him; 
4 how he entered into the house of God, 
and taking the show bread, ate, and gave 
to those with him; which it is not lawful 
to eat, except for the priests only ? " 5 
And He said to them, " The Son of Man is 
Lord of the sabbath." * 

HE HEALETH A WITHERED HAND. 

6 And it came to pass on another sab- 
bath, that He entered into the synagogue, 
and taught. And there was a man there, 
and his right hand was withered. 7 And 
the scribes and Pharisees were watching 
Him, whether He would heal on the sab- 
bath; that they might find how to accuse 
Him. 8 But He knew their thoughts; 
and He said to the man having the with- 
ered hand, " Arise, and stand forth in the 
midst." And, rising up, he stood. 
And Jesus said to them, " I ask you, is it 
lawful on the sabbath to do good, or to do 
evil — to save a soul, or to destroy itf'' 

10 And, looking round upon them all. He 
said to him, "Stretch forth your hand." 
And he did so, and his hand was restored. 

11 But they were filled with madness, and 
were conferring one with another as to 
what they should do to Jesus. 



HE CALLS THE TWELVE. 

12 And it came to pass in those days,, 
that He went out into the mountain to pray; 
and He was spending the whole night in 
prayer to God. 13 And when it became 
day. He called His disciples; and, having 
selected twelve from them, (whom He 
also called apostles): 14 Simon whom He 
also called Peter, and Andrew his brother; 
and James, and John, and Philip, and 
Bartholomew, 15 and Matthew, and 
Thomas, and James son of Alphseus, and 
Simon who is called Zelotes, 16 and Ju- 
das son^ of James, and Judas Iscariot who 
became a betrayer; 17 and, descending 
with them. He stood upon a level place; 
and a large multitude of His disciples, 
and a great number of the people from all 
Judasa and Jerusalem, and the seacoast of 
Tyre and Sidon, were present, who came 
to hear Him, and to be healed of their 
diseases; 18 and those troubled with un- 
clean spirits were being healed; 19 and 
all the multitude were seeking to touch 
Him; because power was coming forth 
from Him, and was healing them all. 

20 And He, lifting up His eyes on His 
disciples, said, " Happy, ye poor; because 
yours is the Kingdom of God. 

21 " Happy, ye who are hungering now; 
because ye will be filled. 

"Happy ye who are weeping now; be- 
cause ye shall laugh. 

22 " Happy are ye, when men shall hate 
you, and when they shall separate you 
from, themselves^ and reproach you, and 
cast out your name as evil, for the sake of 
the Son of Man. 

23 "Eejoice in that day, and leap for 
joy; for, behold, yoiir reward is great in 
Heaven ; for, after the same manner, were 



1 Or, brother. 



NOTES ON CHAPTER VI. 

1-5 Disciples were pluckimg and eating the grain: Matt. 
12:1-19; Mark 2:23-28. 

6-11 He healed the withered hand; Matt. 12:10-13; Mark 
3:1-5. A touch from Jesus brought life Into the withered 
hand then; and He is just the same to-day. 

13-16 He chose His apostles: Matt. 10:1. 

19 Were seeking to touch Him; healing- power went forth 



from Jesus to relieve all manner of diseases. Should the 
blessed Lord ever have a true representative of the full 
Gospel on the earth, the same results would follow again. 
(John 14:12). This is greatly needed, to thwart Satan's 
healings with which, through hypnotic, mesmeric, and 
other methods of healing, he is seeking to divert attention 
from Jesus as the Healer of spirit, soul, and body. 

20-23 For the meaning of these beatitudes see Matt.- 
5:3-12. 



LUKE 



89 



their fathers wont to do to the prophets. 

2i " But woe to you that are rich! be- 
cause ye are receiving your consolation! 

25 "Woe to you who are filled now; be- 
cause ye shall hunger! 

" Woe to you who are laughing now; 
because ye shall mourn and weep! 

26 " Woe to you when all men speak 
well of you: for in this same manner were 
their fathers wont to do to the false 
prophets. 

27 "But I say to you who hear, love 
your enemies; do good to those who hate 
you; 28 bless those who curse you; pray 
for those who revile you. 

29 "To him who smites you on the 
cheek, otfer also the other; and from him 
who takes away your cloak, withhold not 
your coat also. 

30 " Give to every one who asks of you; 
and of him who takes away your goods, 
ask thevi not back. 

31 " And as ye wish that men should do 
to you, do ye also to them in like manner. 

32 " And, if ye love those who love you, 
what charm" have you? for even the sin- 
ners love those who love them. 

33 " And, if ye do good to those who do 
good to you, what charm "^ have you? ev^en 
the sinners do the same. 

34 "And, if ye lend to those from whom 
ye hope to receive, what charm'' have 
you? even the sinners lend to sinners, 
that they may receive back as much. 

35 "But love your enemies; and do 
good, and lend, hoping for nothing in re- 
turn; and your reward will be great, and 
ye will be sons of the Most High; because 
He is kind to the unthankful and evil. 



36 "Be ye merciful, even as your 
Father is merciful. 

37 " And judge not, and ye shall not be 
judged; and condemn not, and ye shall 
not be condemned. 

"Release,^ and ye shall be released. 

38 "Give, and it shall be given to you; 
good measure, pressed down, shaken to- 
gether, running over, will they give into 
your bosom; for with what measure ye 
mete, it shall be measured to you again." 

39 And He spake also a parable to 
them: "Can the blind lead the blind? 
Will they not both fall into a pit? 40 A 
disciple is not above the teacher; but 
every one, imhen perfected, shall be as his 
teacher. 

41 "And why do you behold the mote 
that is in your brother's eye, but consider 
not the beam that is in your own eye ? 42 
How can you say to your brother, 'Brother, 
suffer me to cast out the mote that is in 
your eye,' when you yourself do not see 
the beam in your own eye? Hypocrite! 
cast first the beam out of your own eye, 
and then you will see clearly to cast out 
the mote that is in your brother's eye. 

43 " For there is no good tree that bears 
corrupt fruit; nor again a corrupt tree 
that bears good fruit; 44 for each tree is 
known by its own fruit; for they do not 
gather figs of thorns, nor do they gather 
grapes from a bramble bush. 

45 "The good man out of the good 
treasure of his heart brings forth that 
which is good; and the evil, out of the 
evil treasxire brings forth that w^hich is 
evil; for out of the abundance of the heart 
does the mouth speak. 

46 "But why do ye call Me, 'Lord, 



2 Or, superior ore 



3 Or, forgive. 



24 Woe tu you that are rich; rich in worldly treasures, 
and depending upon them for happiness. 

25 Who are filled now; who are satisfied with earthly 
pleasures, and seek nothing better. Who are laughing; 
living in hilarity and mirth. Mourn and weep; when they 
stand before God in judgment. (Matt. 25:31-46). 

26 When all men speak well of you; the world loves its 
own. but hates Christ; and has nothing but maledictions 
to heap upon the heads of Christ's true disciples. "All 
who will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer perseou 
tion," (II Tim. 3:12). 

32 What charm have you; what superiority above others 
have you? 

35 Sons of the Most High; if we love our enemies, do 
good, and lend, hoping for no return, we thus prove our- 
selves to be sons of God. because we have the divine na- 
ture in us, enabling us to do the things that please Him. 



38 Our treatment of others will be made the rule by 
which we are to be treated. 

40 Not above the teacher; if the teacher is blind, his 
pupil will be no better. If his teacher is wise, the pupil 
may become wise too. Those who take Christ as their 
Teacher, and learn of Him, will become wise and eternally 
happy. 

41-42 People are much more disposed to see the little 
faults of others, than to note the big ones helonginr to 
themselves ; and, before we can help others we must our- 
selves receive help. If we will get right with God, He will 
enable us to be helpful to others. 

43-44 If one's character is Christlike, his life and con- 
duct will be Christlike; and, if one is unlike Christ in 
character, his conduct and principles will plainly declare 
the fact. Every one's life tells who he is, and what he is. 

46 And do not the things that 1 say: obedience to Christ, 
and not one's profession, marks the true disciple. 



90 



LUKE 



Lord,' and do not the things that I say? 

47 "Every one who comes to Me, and 
hears My words, and does them, I will 
show you to whom he is like: 48 he is 
like a man building a house, who dug and 
went deep, and laid a foundation on the 
rock; and, a flood coming, the stream 



broke against that house, and could not 
shake it; because it was well built. 49 
But he who heard and did not, is like a 
man who built a house upon the earth 
without a foundation; against which the 
stream broke, and straightway it collapsed; 
and the ruin of that house was great." 



48-49 Character built upon Christ as a foundation, it 
"built with indestructible material, will stand all the floods 
and earthquakes of time and eternity ; but every character 



built without this foundation will collapse and go to de- 
struction, when the trials of eternity begin to press upon it. 



CHAPTEK Vn. 

1 After He finished all His sayings in 
the hearing of the people, He entered into 
Capernaum. 

2 And a certain centurion's servant, who 
was dear to him, being ill, was about to 
die. 3 And, having heard about Jesus, 
he sent to Him elders of the Jews, ask- 
ing Him, that, having come, He would 
thoroughly save ^ his servant. 

4 And they, coming to Jesus, were ear- 
nestly beseeching Him, saying, "He is 
worthy for whom Thou shalt do this; 5 
for he loves our nation, and he built the 
synagogue for us." 

6 And Jesus was going with them. And 
now, when He was not far distant from the 
house, the centurion sent friends, saying 
to Him, "Lord, trouble not Thyself; for I 
am not worthy that Thou shouldest come 
under my roof. 7 Wherefore, neither 
thought I myself worthy to come to Thee; 
but speak with a word, and let my boy be 
healed; 8 for I also am a man set under 
authority, having soldiers under myself 
and I say to this one, 'Go,' and he goes; 
and to another, 'Come,' and he comes; and 
to my servant, 'Do this,' and he does *V." 

9 And, hearing these things, Jesus mar- 
velled at him; and, turning. He said to the 
multitude following Him, " I say to you, 
not even in Israel did I find such faith! " 



10 And those who m 
turned to the house, 
well. 

THE 



re sent, having re- 
found the servant 



Implying healing. 



OF THE AVIDOW OF NAIN RAISED 
FKOM THE DEAD. 

11 And it came to pass soon afterwards 
that He went to a city called Nain; and 
there were going with Him His disciples, 
and a large multitude. 12 And, as He 
came near to the gate of the city, behold, 
also there was being carried out one dead, 
the only son of his mother, and she was a 
widow; and a large crowd of the city was 
with her. 13 And, seeing her, the Lord 
was moved with compassion towards her, 
and said to her, "Weep not." 14 And, 
going forward. He touched the bier; and 
those bearing it stood still; and He said. 
Young man, I say to you, Arise!" 16 
And the dead sat up, and began to speak. , 
And He gave him to his mother. 16 And 
fear seized on all; and they were glorify- 
ing God, saying, "A great prophet was 
raised up among us," and "God did visit 
His people." 17 And this report concern- 
ing Him went forth in all Judaea, and in 
all the surrounding country. 

JOHN SENDS DISCIPLES TO QUESTION JESUS. 

18 And the disciples of John reported to 
him concerning all these things. 19 And, 
calling to him two of his disciples, John 
sent them to the Lord, saying, "Art Thou 
the Coming One, or are we to expect an- 
other?" 



NOTES ON CHAPTER VII. 



:5-13, 



2-10 The healing of the centurion's servant ; Matt. 

2 Was dear to him; was highly valued. 

9 Jesus marvelled; at such remarkable faith, where it 
-vras so little expected. Not even among the Israelites, the 
descendants of Abraham, had Jesus found such faith. May 
not the Blessed Son of God have equal occasion, but in the 
opposite direction, to be surprised at the unbelief of many 
Christians at the present time ? Satan has dropped the 
false assumption into the mind of most Christians of the 
present day, that the days of miracles are past; and that, 
too. In the face of an unrepealed provision for the healing 



of the bodies of God's children— unrepealed except by the 
unbelief of His children. Jesus might well wonder at this I 

U Nain; a town in Galilee, south-west from Capernaum. 

H Touched the bier; He touched the coffin. 

15 And the dead; the one who had been dead. A touch 
from Jesus brings the dead to life. 

-16 Qoddid visit His people; in mercifully sending One 
Who could heal all diseases, and even raise the dead. 

19 Or are we to expect another; this alternative is sug- 
gestive of doubt in the mind of John. He could not easily 
understand why Jesus should be seemingly indifferent to 
the fact of his imprisonment. 



LUKE 



91 



20 And, coming near to Him, the men 
said, " John, the Immerser, sent us to Thee, 
saying, 'Art Thou the Coming One, or are 
we to expect another? ' " 21 In that hour 
He cured many of diseases, and plagues, 
and evil spirits; and to many blind He be- 
stoAved sight. 22 And, answering, He said 
to them, "Going your way, announce to 
John what ye saw and heard: the blind re- 
ceived sight, the lame walk, lepers are 
cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead 
are raised, and the poor have the Gospel 
proclaimed to them. 23 And happy is he, 
whosoever shall find no cause of stumbling 
in Me." 

24 And, the messengers of John having 
gone away. He began to say to the multi- 
tudes concerning John, "What went ye 
forth into the wilderness to behold ? a reed 
shaken by the wind? 25 But what went 
ye forth to see ? a man clothed in soft rai- 
ment? Behold, those clothed in splendid 
apparel, and living in luxury, are in kingly 
courts ! 26 But what went ye out to see ? 
a prophet? Yea, I say to you, and much 
more than a prophet. 27 This is he con- 
cerning whom it has been written, ' Behold, 
I send forth My messenger before Thy 
face, who will prepare Thy way before 
Thee.' 28 I say to you, among those born 
of women there is no one greater than 
John; but the least ^ in the Kingdom of 
God is greater than he." 

29 And all the people, having heard, 
and the tax-collectors, justified God, hav- 
ing been immersed with the immersion of 
John. 30 But the Pharisees, and the law- 
yers rejected the counsel of God as to^ 
themselves, not having been immersed by 
him. 

31 "To what, then, shall I liken the 
men of this generation? And to what are 
they like? 32 They are like children sit- 



2 Gr. Zess. 3 Or, for. 



ting in the marketplace, and calling one 
to another, who say, 'We piped to you, 
and ye did not dance; we wailed, and ye 
did not weep.' 33 For John, the Im- 
merser, has come, neither eating bread, 
nor drinking wine; and ye say, 'He has 
a demon.' 34 The Son of Man has come, 
eating and drinking; and ye say, 'Behold, 
a gluttonous man and a wine-drinker, a 
Friend of tax-collectors and sinners! ' 35 
And Wisdom was justified by all her chil- 
dren." 

A SINFUL, AVOMAN WASHES JESUS' FEET, 

36 And one of the Pharisees was asking 
Him to eat with him; and, having entered 
into the Pharisee's house. He reclined at 
table. 37 And, behold, a woman who 
was in the city, a sinner; and, learning 
that He was reclining at table in the house 
of the Pharisee, having provided an ala- 
baster cruse of perfume; 38 and stand- 
ing behind at His feet weeping, she began 
to wet His feet with her tears, and wiped 
them off with the hair of her head; and 
she kept kissing His feet, and anointing 
them with the perfume. 

39 But, seeing it, the Pharisee who in- 
vited Him, spake in himself, saying, 
"This Man, if He were a prophet, would 
know who and what sort of woman this 
is that is touching Him, because she is a 
sinner." 

40 And Jesus, answering, said to him, 
" Simon, I have something to say to you." 
And he says, "Teacher, say itP 41 
"There were two debtors to a certain 
money-lender. The one owed five hun- 
dred denaries; and the other, fifty. 42 
And, they having nothing to pay, he for- 
gave them both. Which of them, there- 
fore, will love him the more ? " 

43 Simon, answering, said, "He, I sup- 
pose, to whom he forgave the more." 
And He said to him, "Eightly did you 
judge." 44 And, turning to the woman, 



20-28 John sends his disciples to Jesus; and Jesus' opinion 
of John; Matt. 11:2-14. 

28 The least in the Kingdom of God is greater than he; 
John was the herald of the coining Kingdom, but was not 
in that Kingdom. Of course, he was saved, hut those wh( 
through the enthronement of Christ in their hearts, be- 
come real sons of God, are of higher rank than John. 

29 Justified Qod; by acknowledging John as a true 
prophet, who had pointed to Jesus as the Messiah. Having 
heen immersed; by John. Their present attitude towards 
Christ was consistent with the fact that they had sub 
mitted to be immersed by John. 



30 Lawyers; the interpreters of the Jewish law— espe- 
cially of the traditionary law. Rejected the counsel of Qod; 
as seen in the mission of John, refusing to be immersed by 
him. 

31-35 Children sitting in the marketplace; Matt. 11:16-19. 

36 One of the Pharisees; Simon by name. 

37 A sinner; notoriously wicked — probably a public 
prostitute, (see v. 39). 

38 Standing behind at His feet; Jjsus was reclining at the 
table, as was customary at meals; and the woman took her 
stand at His feet. 

39 Spake in himself; or spake within himself, but did 
not speak out. 



92 



LUKE 



He said to Simon, "Do you behold this 
woman? I entered into your house, you 
gave Me no water for My feet; but this 
woman wet My feet with her tears, and 
wiped them with .her hair. 45 You gave 
Me no kiss; but she, from the time I en- 
tered, ceased not to kiss My feet. 46 My 
head with oil you did not anoint; but she 
anointed My feet with perfume. 47 
Wherefore, I say to you, her sins, wliich 



are many, are forgiven; because she loved 
much; but Ae, to ^vhom little is forgiven, 
loves little." 48 And He said to her, 
' Your sins have been forgiven." 

49 And those reclining witli Him began 
to say in themselves, " Who is This That 
even f orgiveth sins ! " 50 And He said to 
the woman, "Your faith has saved you; 
go in* peace." 



4 Or, into. 



41-48 1 entered into your house; as an invited guest; this 
woman, so despicable in your eyes, has supplied all your 
lack of hospitality. She was a great sinner; she has re- 
pented; I have forgiven her; and she loves Me much. I ac- 
cept her love-offerings. Her deep penitence and love are 
proof that much has been forgiven her. 

49 TPliois Tliis; sure enough; Who was He but the in- 
carnate Son of GodI (Isa. 9:6; 53:4-6). 



50 Tow faith has saved i/ou; she had a "faith that worked 
by love." and such faith is always sure to bring salvation. 
Go in peace; or, go into peace— into paths of peace, (Prov. 

17). 

JV. B.— Jesus was not ashamed of the woman, after her 
sins had been pardoned; and He was willing to vindicate 
her in the presence of His host and others at the tabic. 
Jesus showed no great haste to get rid of her presence. 



I 



CHAPTER VIII. 

1 And it came to pass soon afterwards, 
that He was passing through by city and 
village, preaching and proclaiming the 
good news of the Kingdom of God; and 
the twelve were with Him; 2 and certain 
women who had been healed of evil spirits 
and infirmities, Mary who is called Mag 
dalene, from whom seven demons had 
gone out, 3 and Joanna wife of Chuzas 
Herod's steward, and Susanna, and many 
others, who were ministering to them of 
their substance. 

PARABLE or THE SOWER. 

4 And, when a large multitude was com- 
ing together, and those from city after city 
were coming to Him, He spake through a 
parable: 5 "The sower went forth to 
sow his seed. And in his sowing some 
fell by the wayside; and it was trodden 
down, and the birds of the heaven de 
voured it. 6 And another fell upon the 
rock; and, springing up, it was withered 
because of not having moisture. 7 And 
another fell amid the thorns; and the 
thorns growing with it choked it. 8 And 
another fell into the good ground; and 
growing, it produced fruit, a hundredfold." 
Saying these things, He was crying alovid, 
"He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.' 

THE PARABLE EXPLAINED. 

9 And His disciples were asking Him 
what this parable might be. 10 And He 

NOTES ON CHAPTER VIII. 
2 Magdalene; Mary was a resident of a town on the 
■western shore of the sea of Galilee, called Magdala. 



said, "To you it has been given to know 
the mysteries of the Kingdom of God; 
but to the rest in parables; that, seeing, 
they may not see, and, hearing, they may 
not understand. 11 Now this is the para- 
ble: The seed is the word of God. 12 
And those by the wayside are those who 
heard; then the Devil comes, and takes 
away the word from their heart; lest, hav- 
ing believed, they should be saved. 

13 "And those on the rock are those 
who, when they hear, receive the word 
with joy; and these have no root; who, 
for a season, believe, and in time of temp- 
tation fall away. 

14 " And that which fell among the 
thorns, these are those who heard; and, 
going forth, they are choked with anxie- 
ties, and riches, and pleasures of life, and 
bear no fruit to perfection. 

15 " And that in the good ground, these 
are such as, in a good and honest heart, 
having heard the word, hold it fast, and 
bear fruit with patience. 

16 " And no one, having lighted a lamp, 
covers it with a vessel, or puts it under a 
bed; but puts it on a lamp-stand, that 
those coming in may see the light; 17 
for nothing is secret, that shall not be 
made manifest; nor hidden, that shall not 
be known, and become manifest. 18 Take 
heed, therefore, how ye hear; for whoso- 
ever has, to him shall be given; and who- 
soever has not, even what he seems to 
have shall be taken from him." 

4-15 Parable of the sower; Matt. 13:1-33. 

16-18 CandU under a vessel; 'i/i.ar\ii:2\-2h. 

18 Here the rich grow richer, and the poor grow poorer. 



LUKE 



93 



HIS MOTHER AND BROTHERS CALL FOR HIM. 

19 Now there came to Him His mother 
and brothers; and they could not get to 
Him because of the multitude. 20 And 
it was reported to Him, " Thy mother and 
Thy brothers have been standing without, 
wishing to see Thee." 

21 And He, answering, said to them, 
" My mother and My brothers are those 
who hear the word of God, and do «Y." 

A STORM QUIETED. ' 

22 Now it came to pass on one of the 
days, that both He and His disciples en- 
tered into a boat; and He said to them, 
" Let us go over to the other side of the 
lake." And they set forth. 23 But, as 
they were sailing. He fell asleep. And 
there came down a storm of wind on the 
lake; and they were being filled full of 
water^ and were in peril. 24 And, com- 
ing near, they awoke Him, saying, " Mas- 
ter, we perish!" And, having arisen, 
He rebuked the wind and the raging 
of the water; and they ceased, and it 
became calm. 25 And He said to them, 
" Where is your faith? " And, struck with 
fear, they marvelled, saying one to an 
other, "Who, then, is This, that He com 
mandeth even the winds and the water 
and they obey Him!" 

A DEMONIAC DELIVERED. 

26 And they sailed down into the coun- 
try of the Gerasenes, which is over against 
Galilee. 27 And, when He went forth on 
the land, there met Him a certain man.out 
of the city who had demons, and for a 
long time he had worn no clothing; and 
he abode not in a house, but in the tombs 
28 And, seeing Jesus, he, crying out, fell 
down before Him, and, with a loud voice 
said, "What^s thereto me and to Thee, 
Jesus, Son of God Most High? I beg of 
Thee, do not torment me!" 29 For He 
was commanding the unclean spirit to 
come out from the man; for many times 
liad it seized him, and he was bound with 
chains and fetters, kept under guard; and, 
bursting the bonds, he was driven by the 
demon into the deserts. 30 And Jesus 
asked him, "What is your name?" And 



he said, " Legion," (because many demons 
entered into him). 31 And they were en- 
treating Him, that He would not command 
them to go away into the abyss. 32 And 
there was there a herd of many swine in 
the mountains; and they besought Him 
that He would permit them to enter into 
them. And He permitted them. 33 And 
the demons, going out from the man, en- 
tered into the swine, and the herd rushed 
down the steep into the lake, and were 
drowned. 34 And those feeding them, 
seeing what had taken place, fled, and 
carried the tidings into the city and into 
the country. 35 And they went out to 
see what had taken place; and they came 
to Jesus, and found the man from whom 
the demons went out, sitting at the feet 
of Jesus, clothed, and having his right 
mind; and they were afraid. 36 And those 
who saw it reported to them how the 
demon-possessed man was delivered. 37 
And the whole multitude of the stcrround- 
ncj country of the Gerasenes asked Him 
to depart from them; because they were 
being constrained by great fear. And 
He, entering into a boat, returned. 

38 And the man, from whom the de- 
mons had gone forth, was begging Him 
that he might be with Him; but He sent 
him away, saying, 39 "Return to your 
house, and relate as many things as God 
did for you." And he departed, publish- 
ing through all the city as many things as 
Jesus did for him. 

DAUGHTER OF JAIRUS RAISED; AND WOMAN 
WITH FLOW OF BLOOD HEALED. 

40 And, as Jesus returned, the multi- 
tude welcomed Him; for they were all ex- 
pecting Him. 41 And, behold, there came 
a man whose name was Jairus, and he was 
a ruler of the synagogue; and, falling 
down near Jesus' feet, he was beseeching 
Him to come into his house; 42 because 
he had an only daughter, about twelve 
years of age, and she was dying! But, as 
He was going away, the multitudes were 
thronging Him. 

43 And a woman, having a flow of blood 
for twelve years, who could not be cured, 
44 coming up behind, touched the border 
of His garment, and immediately her flow 



19-21 ChrisVs mother andbrothers; Matt. 12:46-50. 

22-25 The tempest stilled: Matt. 8:23-27. 

25 Where is your faith; the disciples wereslow to believe. 



26-39 Leoion of demons cast out; Matt. 8:28-34. 
41-56 Jairus' daughter, and the woman with a flow of blood; 
Matt. 9.- 18-26. 



94 



LUKE 



of blood stopped. 45 And Jesus said, 
"Who is it that touched Me?" And, 
when all were denying, Peter said, " Mas- 
ter, the multitudes are thronging Thee, 
and hard pressing Thee!" 46 But Jesus 
said, "Some one. touched Me; for I per- 
ceived that power had gone out from Me." 

47 And the woman, seeing that she was 
not concealed, came trembling; and, fall- 
ing down before Him, reported before 
all the people for what cause she touched 
Him, and how she was instantly healed. 

48 And He said to her, " Daughter, your 
faith has saved you; go in peace." 

49 While He is yet speaking, there 
comes one from the ruler of the syna- 
gogue, saying, "Your daughter has died; 
trouble not the Teacher." 60 But Jesus, 



hearing it^ answered him, "Fear not; only 
believe; and she shall be made whole!" ^ 

61 And, coming into the house, He per- 
mitted no one to enter with Him, except 
Peter, and James, and John, and the 
father of the maiden, and her mother. 52 
And they were all weeping, and bewailing 
her; but He said, "Weep not; for she did 
not die, but is sleeping." 53 And they 
were deriding Him, knowing that she 
died. 54 But He, taking her by the 
hand, called, saying, "Maiden, arise." 55 
And her spirit returned to her, and she 
rose up instantly; and He commanded that 
something should be given to her to eat. 

56 And her parents were astonished. 
But He charged them to tell no one what 
had taken place. 



1 Gr. Saved. 



45 Who touched Me; Jesus evidently knew -who touched 
Him; but He -wished to have the -woman, -who had been the 
recipient of His healing virtue, conless Him publicly. 



47 Mad not escaped notice; had not received healing in. 
her body -without the notice of the Healer. 



CHAPTER IX. 

THE TWELVE SENT FOETH. 

1 And, having called together the 
twelve, He gave them power and author 
ity over all the demons, and to heal dis 
eases; 2 and He sent them forth to preach 
the Kingdom of God, a,nd to heal the 
sick;* 3 and He said to them, "Take 
nothing for the journey — ^neither staff, 
nor wallet, nor bread, nor money; and 
not to have two coats. 

4 " And into whatsoever house ye enter, 
there abide, and thence depart. 5 And 
as many as do not receive you, going out 
from that city, shake off the dust from 
your feet for a testimony against them." 

6 And, going forth, they were passing 
through the several villages, proclaiming 
the good news, and healing everywhere 

HEROD PUZZLED ABOTTT JESUS. 

7 Now Herod, the tetrarch, heard of all 
the things that were taking place; and he 
was thoroughly perplexed, because it was 
said by some that John was raised from 
the dead; 8 and by some that Elijah ap 
peared; and, by others, that a certain an- 
cient prophet arose. 9 And Herod said 
"John I beheaded; but Who is This con- 



1 Some Mss. omit the sick. 



cerning Whom I hear such things ? " And 
he was seeking to see Him. 

10 And the apostles, having returned, 
related to Him what they did. And, tak- 
ing them with Him^ He retired privately 
to a city called Bethsaida. 11 But the 
multitudes, perceiving it^ followed Him; 
and, having welcomed them, He was 
peaking to them concerning the King- 
dom of God, and those having need of 
cure He healed. 

THE MIRACLE OF THE FIVE LOAVES. 

12 And the day began to decline. And 
the twelve, coming near, said to Him, 
"Send away the multitudes; that, going 
into the villages and country round about, 
they may lodge and find food; because we 
are here in a desert place." 

13 But He said to them, " Give ye them 
to eat." They said, "We have no more 
than five loaves and two fishes; unless we, 
going, should buy food for all this peo- 
ple. " (For they were about five thousand 
men). 14 And He said to His disciples, 
" Make them recline in companies of about 
fifty each." 15 And they did so, and 
made them all recline. 16 And, taking 
the five loaves and the two fishes, looking 
up. into Heaven, He blessed them, and 
broke, and kept giving to the disciples to 



NOTES ON CHAPTER IX. 
1-6 The txoelve apostles sent forth; Matt. 10:1-42. 
7-9 Herod desires to see Christ; Matt. 14:1, 2. 



10-17 Five thousand fed; Matt. 14:13-21. 
10 Retired privately; yet, as it appears, by boat. See 
Matt. 14:13; Mark 6:32. 



LUKE 



95 



set before the multitude. 17 And they 
ate, and were all filled. And there was 
taken up that which remained to them of 
broken pieces, twelve baskets. 
Peter's confession. 

18 And it came to pass, as He was pray- 
ing alone, the disciples were with Him, 
and He asked them, saying, " Who do the 
multitudes say that I ^am?" 19 And 
they, answering, said, " ' John the Im- 
merser;' and others, ' Elijah; ' and others, 
'that a certain prophet of the ancients 
arose.'" 

20 And He said to them, " But who say 
ye that I am?" And Peter, answering, 
said, "The Christ of God." 

21 And He, having admonished them, 
commanded them to tell this to no one; 
22 saying, " The Son of Man must suffer 
many things, and be rejected by the elders, 
and high priests, and scribes; and be 
killed, and on the third day be raised up." 

TAKING UP THE CROSS. 

23 And He said to all, "If any one 
wishes to come after Me, let him disown 
himself, and take up his cross daily, and 
follow Me. 24 For whosoever wishes to 
save his souP shall lose it; but whosoever 
will lose his soul ^ for My sake, the same 
shall save it. 25 For what is a man prof 
ited, in having gained the whole world 
but having lost or forfeited* himself? 2( 
For whosoever is ashamed of Me and My 
words, of him will the Son of Man be 
ashamed, when He cometh in His glory, 
and in that of the Father, and of the holy 
angels. 27 And I tell you truly, there 
are some of those standing here who will 
in no wise taste of death, till they see the 
Kingdom of God." 

THE TRANSFIGURATION OF JESUS. 

28 And it came to pass, about eight days 
after these words, that, taking Peter, and 
John, and James, He went up into the 
mountain to pray. 29 And it came to 
pass, as He was praying, that the appear 



Or. deny. 3 The soul includes life. 
Or, having been damaged as to himself. 



ance of His countenance was altered, and 
His raiment became white and dazzling. 
And, behold, two men were talking 
with Him, who, indeed, were Moses and 
Elijah; 31 who, appearing in glory, were 
speaking of His departure'^ which He was 
about to accomplish at Jerusalem. 

32 Now Peter and those with him had 
become heavy with sleep; but, having 

atched through it, they saw His glory, 
and the two men who were standing with 
Him. 33 And it came to pass, as they 
were parting from Him, that Peter said 
to Jesus, " Master, it is good that we are 
here; and let us make three tents; one for 
Thee, one for Moses, and one for Elijah;" 
not knowing what he was saying. 34 
Now, while he was saying these things, 
there came a cloud, and it was overshad- 
owing them; and they feared, as they en- 
tered into the cloud. 35 And there came 
a voice out of the cloud, saying, "This is 
My Son, the Chosen; hear ye Him." 36 
And, when the voice came, Jesus was 
found alone. And they kept silent, and 
told no one, in those days, any of the 
things which they had seen. 37 And it 
came to pass on the next day, when they 
came down from the mountain, that a 
great multitude met Him. 

JESUS HEALS A DEMONIAC. 

38 And, behold, a man from the multi- 
tude cried, saying, " Teacher, I pray Thee 
to look upon my son, because he is my 
only begotten. 39 And, behold, a spirit 
takes him, and suddenly he cries out, and it 
convulses him with foaming, and with diffi- 
culty it departs from him, bruising him; 40 
and I besought Thy disciples to cast it out, 
but they were not able." 41 And Jesus an- 
swering, said, " O faithless and perverse 
generation, how long shall I be with you, 
and bear with you? Bring your son here." 
42 And, while he was yet coming, the 
demon thrust him down, and greatly con- 
vulsed him. But Jesus rebuked the un- 
clean spirit, and healed the boy, and gave 
him back to his father. 43 And they were 
all amazed at the Majesty of God ! 



18-21 Peter's confession; Matt. 16:13-20. 
22-27 Christ foretells His death; Matt. 16:21-28. 
28-36 The transfiguration; Matt. 17:1-8; Mark 9:2-10. 
31 Appearing in glory; in glorious apparel, etc. His de- 
parture: implying His death. The time of Jesus' death on 



amstances, were mat- 



5 Or, decease. 

the cross, with all its attendant cir 
ters of divine appointment. 

32 Having watched through; remaining awake, despite 
their drowsiness. 

37-43 The lunatic healed; Matt. 17:14-21. 



96 



LUKE 



JESUS FORETELLS HIS OWN REJECTION. 

And while all were marvelling at all the 
things which He was doing, He said to His 
disciples, 44 "Put ye these words into 
your ears; for the Son of Man is about to 
be delivered up into the hands of men." 
45 But they did not understand this say- 
ing; and it was veiled from them, that 
they might not perceive it; and they were 
afraid to ask Him concerning this saying. 

HOW TO BECOME GREAT. 

46 And there entered a reasoning among 
them, as to which of them should be great- 
est.* 47 Now Jesus, knowing the reason- 
ing of their heart, taking a- child, placed it 
by Himself, 48 and said to them, " Who- 
soever shall receive this child in ' My name, 
receives Me; and whosoever receives Me 
receives Him who sent Me; for he that is 
least' among you all, the same is great." 

49 And John, answering, said, "Master, 
we saw one casting out demons in Thy 
name; and we forbade him, because he 
follows not with us." 50 And Jesus said 
to him, "Forbid him not; for he who is 
not against you is for you." 

THE FACE OF JESUS IS SET TOWARDS 
JERUSALEM. 

51 And it came to pass, when the days 
for receiving Him up were being com- 
pleted, that He steadfastly set His face to 



go to Jerusalem; 52 and He sent forth 
messengers before His face; and, journey- 
ing onward^ they entered into a village of 
Samaritans, so as to prepare for Him, 53 
And they did not receive Him, because 
His face was as if He were going to Jeru- 
salem. 

64 And, seeing it. His disciples, James 
and John, said, "Lord, dost Thou wish 
that we bid fire come down from heaven, 
and consume them ?" 55 But, turning. He 
rebuked them. 56 And they went on to 
another village. 

THREE CONDITIONAL FOLLOWERS TESTED. 

57 And, as they were journeying in the 
way, a certain one said to Him, "I will 
follow Thee wheresoever Thou goest." 58 
And Jesus said to him, " The foxes have 
dens; and the birds of the heaven lodging- 
places; ^ but the Son of Man hath not where 
to recline His head." 

59 And He said to another, "Follow 
Me." But he said, " Lord, permit me, go- 
ing away, first to bury my father." 60 
And He said, "Leave the dead to bury 
their own dead; but, going, publish abroad 
the Kingdom of God." 

61 And another said, " I will follow Thee, 
Lord; but first permit me to bid adieu to 
those within my house." 62 And Jesus 
said to him, " No one, having put his hand 
to a plow, and looking back, is fit for the 
Kingdom of God." 



6 Gr. Greater. 7 Or. onthe authority of . 8 Gr. Less 



Or, resting places. 



ii These words; relating especially to- His death, only 
a little in the future. 

45 They did not understand this saying; they were ex- 
ceedingly slow to believe anything that looked toward the 
thwarting of their notions of His earthly rule. 

46-50 How to become areat; M3,tt. IS-.I-G. 

51 The days of receiving Him up: referring to the time 
■when He should ascend to Heaven, whence He came. Sted- 
fastbj set His face; was firmly resolved on going to Jeru- 
salem, though He knew that He would there be crucified. 

52 Sent messengers; the Greek word here is the same as 
that ordinarily translated angels. The word means a mes- 
senger; and. when it refers to heavenly messengers, it is 
translated angels; but. when it refers to man, it is trans- 
lated messenger. 

53 Sid not receive Him; because His face was turned 
toward Jerusalem; and the Samaritans, who were hitter 
enemies of the Jews, refused Him entertainment because 



of His supposed preference for the Jews. The Greek 
plainly says. "Because His face was going on to Jerusa- 
lem." 

54 Seeing it; seeing that the Samaritans would not en- 
tertain Jesus and His disciples. That we bid fire come down 
. . . and destroy them; after the manner of Elijah, (see II 
Kings 1:10-12). The disciples still had more of the spirit 
of the Jews than of Christ. 

58 The Son of Man hath not where; the Maker of all 
worlds (John 1:3; Col. 1:16, 17) was poorer than even the 
foxes or the birds I He offered His disciples no temporal 
riches to induce them to follow Him. 

62 jTo one, having put His hand to a plow, and looking 
hack; those who start to follow Jesus, must let nothing 
come up to hinder them. If they relax their grip upon Him 
and His Gospel, they are not fit for the Kingdom of Heaven. 
Half-hearted, intermittent Christians are not the kind 
needed. 



CHAPTEE X. 

THE SEVENTY SENT FORTH, 

1 Now after these things the Lord ap 
pointed seventy others; and sent them 



away, two and two; before His face, into 
every city and place, whither He Himself 
was about to come. 2 And He said to 
them, " The harvest, indeed, is great, but 
the laborers few. Pray ye, therefore, the 



LUKE 



97 



Lord of the harvest, that He urge forth 
laborers into His harvest. 3 Go your 
ways; behold, I am sending you forth as 
lambs in the midst of wolves. 4 Carry no 
purse, nor wallet, nor sandals; and salute 
no one by the way. 5 And into whatso- 
ever house ye enter, first say, 'Peace Jeto 
this house.' 6 And, if the son of peace be 
there, your peace shall rest upon it;^ but, 
if not, "it will return to you. 7 And in the 
same laouse abide, eating and drinking the 
things sappliedhY them; for the laborer is 
worthy of his hire. Go not from house to 
house. 8 And into whatsoever city ye 
enter, and they receive you, eat such things 
as are set before you; 9 and heal the sick 
therein, and say to them, 'The Kingdom 
of God has come near to you.' 10 But 
into whatsoever city ye enter, and they 
receive you not, going forth into the 
streets thereof, say, 11 'Even the dust 
from your city, that cleaves to our feet, 
we wipe off against you; nevertheless, 
know this, that the Kingdom of God has 
come nigh.' 12 I say to you, it will be 
more tolerable in that day for Sodom, than 
for that city. 

13 " Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you 
Bethsaida! because, if the mighty works 
done in you had been done in Tyre and 
Sidon, they would have repented, sitting 
in sackcloth and ashes. 14 But it will 



be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon 
in the judgment than for you. 15 And 
you, Capernaum, shall you be exalted to 
Heaven? You shall be thrust down to 
Hades ! 

16 " He who hears you hears Me; and he 
who rejects you rejects Me; and he who 
rejects Me rejects Him Who sent Me." 

17 And the seventy returned with joy, 
saying, " Lord, even the demons are sub- 
ject to us in Thy name ! " 18 And He said 
to them, "I was beholding Satan fallen as 
lightning out of the heavens. 19 Behold, I 
have given you the authority to tread upon 
serpents and scorpions, and over all the 
power of the enemy; and nothing shall in 
any wise harm you. 20 Notwithstanding, 
rejoice not in this, that the spirits are sub- 
ject to you; but rejoice, because your 
names have been written in Heaven." 

21 In that hour He exulted in the Holy 
Spirit, and said, " I thank Thee, O Father, 
Lord of Heaven and earth, because Thou 
didst hide these things from the wise and 
discerning, and didst reveal them to babes: 
yea, Father, because it was well-pleasing 
in Thy sight. 

22 "All things were delivered up to Me 
by My Father; and no one knows Who the 
Son is, but the Father; and Who the Father 
is, but the Son, and he to whomsoever the 
Son purposeth to reveal Him.'''' 

23 And, turning to the disciples, He 



NOTES ON CHAPTER X. 

3 Lambs in the midst ofviolves; they were to be in 
and defenseless as lamlis ; while those among whom they 
were to preach were like hungry, savage wolves. Matt. 
10:16. 

4 Purse . . . wallet . . . sandals; Matt. 10:9, 10. Salute 
no one by the way; the ancient mode ot salutation was very 
formal and senseless, besides consuming considerable time. 
He would have them, and us. lose no time in His work ; lay- 
ing all foolish forms and ceremonies aside. 

3-16 Instructions to the seventy; Matt, io: 11-15, 40; 11:20-24. 

6 The son of peace; a man of peaceful spirit, who will 
kindly receive you; and to whom ye may give the great 
blessing of God's peace. 

7 Eating and drinking; eating and drinking such things 
as they have by them, and give you. 

9 Heal the sick; the twelve and the seventy alike had 
healing as a part ot their ministerial work. The Kingdom 
of God has come near you; the opportunity for embracing 
the Messiah, and of entering into His salvation. 

12-15 More tolerable; there are different degrees of light, 
and different degrees ot responsibility. The mighty works 
of Jesus in Chorazin, and Bethsaida, and His teachings in 
those places, made the people very guilty in their rejec- 
tion of Him. Every one's abilities and opportunities will 
determine his responsibility, and measure his guilt, it he 
rejects the light. 



16 Rejects you rejects Me; it is a sad thought that sinners, 
in rejecting God's ministers, reject Christl How circum- 
spectly and prayerfully His ministers should walk before 
the world, lest they furnish an excuse to any for rejecting 
them and their message. 

17 The demons are subject to us; it is a blessed ministry 
tor God's servants to oast out demons from others; but 
there is something better than this: viz.. the assurance 
that one's name is written in Heaven, (v. 20). 

18 I was beholding Satan . . . fallen out of the heavens; 
possibly this was a prophetic vision of what is yet to be, 
when Satan shall be cast out of the heavens. (Rev. 12:9). In 
every conflict with Satan, the Lord Jesus was victor; and 
His chief victory was gained when He arose from the dead, 
having first put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself, (Heb. 
9:26). His final triumph over him is seen in Rev. 20:10. 

19 Authority to tread on serpents and scorpions; God's 
true people are to be victors over all the power of the 
enemy, whether seen in literal serpents and scorpions, or 
in wicked and poisonous men who are dominated by the 
spirit ot the Devil. Nothing shall . . . harm you; per- 
haps the chief reference here is to spiritual victories over 
Satan and all evil, foreshadowed by physical deliverances 
occasionally vouchsafed to God's people. Peter, for ex- 
ample, was delivered from great peril, when the angel 
brought him out of the prison, (Acts 5:17:20) ; but he was 
martyred later. 

21. 22 Things hid from the wise; Matt. 11 : 25-27. 



98 



LUKE 



said, privately, " Happy the eyes that be- 
hold what ye are beholding! 24 for I say 
to you, that many prophets and kings de- 
sired to see what ye are beholding, and 
did not see them; and to hear what ye are 
hearing, and heard them not." 

A LAWYER ANSWERED. THE GOOD SAMA- 
RITAN. 

25 And, behold, a certain lawyer stood 
up, tempting Him, saying, "Teacher, hy 
doing what shall I inherit eternal life ? " 

26 And He said to him, "What has 
been written in the law? How do you 
read?" 

27 And he, answering, said, " You shall 
love the Lord your God with all your 
heart, and with all your soul, and with all 
your strength, and with all your mind; 
and your neighbor as yourself." 

28 And He said to him, " You answered 
right; do this, and you shall live." 

29 But he, wishing to justify himself, 
said to Jesus, " And who is my neighbor? " 

30 And Jesus, answering,^ said, "A 
certain man was going down from Jerusa- 
lem to Jericho, and fell among robbers; 
who, both stripping him and inflicting 
blows, went away, leaving him half dead. 
31 And by chance, a certain priest was 
going down that way; and, seeing him, he 
passed by on the opposite side. 32 And, 
in like manner, a Levite also, coming to 
the place, and seeing him^ passed by on 
the opposite side. 33 But a certain Sa- 



it up. 



maritan, going on his waj^ came down to 
him; and, seeing him, he was moved with 
compassion; 34 and, coming to him, he 
bound up his wounds, pouring on oil and 
wine; and, setting him on his own beast, 
he brought him to an inn, and took care 
of him. 35 And, on the morrow, taking 
out two denaries, he gave the7n to the host, 
d said, 'Take care of him; and whatso- 
ever you expend additional, I, when I re- 
turn, will repay you.' 36 Which, there- 
fore, of these three seems to you to have be- 
come neighbor of him who fell among the 
robbers?" 37 And he said, "He that 
dealt kindly with him." And Jesus said 
to him, " Go, and do likewise." 

MARY AND MARTHA. 

38 Now, as they were going on their 
way. He entered into a certain village; 
and a certain woman, Martha by name, 
received Him into her house. 39 And she 
had a sister called Mary, who, also seated 
at the Lord's feet, was hearing His word. 
40 But Martha was being distracted about 
much serving; and, coming up suddenly, 
she said, " Lord, carest Thou not that my 
sister left me to serve alone? Speak to 
her, therefore, that she assist me ! " 

41 But the Lord, answering, said to her, 
Martha, Martha, you are anxious and 
troubled about many things; 42 but of 
one thing there is need; for Mary chose 
the good part, which, indeed, shall not be 
taken away from her." 



23. 24 ThincfS seen by the disciples; Matt. 13:16, 17. 

23 Sappy are your eyes: it was a great benedition to be 
permitted to see the Blessed Jesus, to see His numerous 
miracles, and listen to His wonderful teachings; but it 
even more blessed to have the Holy One, Who is the sum 
of all human and divine excellencies, to come into on 
heart, and take up His abode I Who has language fitly 
describe the bliss of him who has the unspeakable joy of 
knowing that He Whom he most loves hath come within 
to reign I 

25 A lawyer; one whose duty it was to explain and teach 
the law of Moses. Temptina Him; putting His wisdom to 
the test. 

27. 28 Love to God and to one's neighbor; Matt. 22:37-40 
Lev. 19:18! Deut. 6:4, 5. 

29 Wishing to justify himself; by proving that he had 
not violated the divine law. Who is my neighbor; or who 
is it that I am to love as myself 1 

30 Jericho; a city about twenty miles north-east of Jeru 
salem, and about seven miles from the Jordan. It is said 
that robbers still infest the country through which this 
road runs. 

31 By chance: a coincidence which neither the priest nor 
the person robbed had planned. 

32 A Levite; the Levites aided the priests in the temple 
service. 



33 A Samaritan: one having little to do with the forms 
and ceremonies of religion. The Samaritans and Jews 
e bitter enemies. Here is one who makes no noise 
about his religion; but is found doing, on this occasion, the 
right thing. 

35 Two denaries; about twenty-eight cents, or the price of 
two days' labor, (Matt. 20:2). The host: the inn-keeper. 

36 Neighbor; there could be hut one opinion as to who 
was the real neighbor of the unfortunate man. Jesus' il- 
lustration proved that everyone whom we can benefit, is 
our neighbor. 

38 A certain village; Bettaxxy, (Matt. 21:17). 

40 Martha was distracted; confused, troubled, and wor- 
ried, on this occasion, in consequence of her intense hos- 
pitality. 

41 Anxious and troubled about many things: these 
"many things" may include things outside of her desire 
to provide for her present Guest. It is blessed not to 
worry about anything, (I Peter 5:7). 

42 Of one thing there is need; and that is, above all else, 
to get right with God through the full acceptance of Jesus 
Christ as one's Saviour. Mary chose the good paH: she 
chose Christ as her portion. Shall not be taken away from 
her: hers is a lasting treasure, that none can make her 
forfeit, (John 10:27-30). 



LUKE 



99 



CHAPTER XI. 



TEACH US TO PRAY. 



1 And it came to pass, as He was in a 
certain place praying, that, when He 
ceased, one of His disciples said to Him 
"Lord, teach us to pray, as John also 
taught his disciples." 2 And He said to 
them, " When ye pray, say, ' Father, Hal- 
lowed be Thy name. Thy Kingdom come. 

3 Give us day by day our daily ^ bread; 

4 and forgive us our sins; for we also our- 
selves forgive every one indebted to us. 
And bring us not into temptation.' " 

5 And He said to them, " Who of you 
shall have a friend, and shall go to him at 
midnight, and say to him, 'Friend, lend 
me three loaves; 6 forasmuch as a friend of 
mine came to me from a journey, and I 
have nothing to set before him;' 7 and 
he from within, answering, shall say, 
'Trouble me not; already the door has 
been shut, and my children are with me 
in the bed; I cannot rise and give you.' 
8 I say to you, even if he will not, rising 
up, give to him because of his being his 
friend; yet, because of his importunity, 
he, rousing himself, will give him as many 
as he needs. 9 And I say to you, ask, 
and it shall be given you; seek, and ye 
shall find; knock, and it shall be opened 
to you: 10 for every one who asks re- 
ceives; and he who seeks finds; and to him 
who knocks it shall be opened. 11 And 
of which of you that is a father shall his 
son ask bread, ^ and he give him a stone? 
or a fish, and he, instead of a fish, give him 
a serpent ? 12 or if he shall ask an ^^^^ 
will he give him a scorpion ? 13 If ye, then, 
being evil, know how to give good gifts to 
your children, how much more will your 
Heavenly Father " give the Holy Spirit to 
those who ask Him ? " 

JESUS ACCUSED OF CASTING OUT DEMONS 
THROUGH BEELZEBUB. 

14 And He was casting out a dumb de- 



mon. And it came to pass that, when the 
demon went out, the dumb spake, and the 
multitudes rnarvelled. 15 But some of 
them said, "By* Beelzebub, the ruler of 
the demons. He is casting out the demons." 

16 And others, tempting, were seeking 
of Him a sign from heaven. 17 But He, 
knowing their thoughts, said to them, 
"Every kingdom, divided against itself, 
is made desolate; and a house divided 
against a house falls. 18 And, if Satan 
also were divided against himself, how 
would his kingdom stand? because ye say 
that by* Beelzebub I am casting out the 
demons! 19 But, if I, by* Beelzebub, cast 
out the demons, by* whom do your sons 
cast ^Aem out? Therefore, they shall be 
your judges. 20 But, if I, by the finger 
of God, cast out the demons, then the 
Kingdom of God came upon you unex- 
pectedly.* 

21 " When the strong man^ fully armed, 
is guarding his own court, his goods are 
in peace; 22 but, when a stronger than he, 
coming upon A^m, overcomes him, he takes 
away his whole armor upon which he had 
relied, and distributes his spoils. 23 He 
who is not with Me is against Me; and 
he who is not gathering with Me is scat- 
tering. 



a demon returns, 
solomon'i 



JONAH AS A SIGN. 
WISDOM. 



24 " When the unclean spirit goes out 
from the man, it passes through waterless 
"aces, seeking rest; and not finding it^ it 
says, 'I will return into my house whence 
I came out.' 25 And, coming, it finds it 
swept and decorated. 26 Then it goes 
and takes with it seven other spirits more 
wicked than itself; and, entering in, they 
make their abode there; and the last state 
of that man is worse than the first." 

27 And it came to pass, as He was say- 
ing these things, that a certain woman, 
out of the multitude, lifting up her voice. 



1 Our appointed or needful. 2 Gr. A loaf. 



3 Or. In. 4 Or. before you were aware of it. 



NOTES ON CHAPTER XI. 
2-4 The Lord's prayer; Matt. 6:^13. 

7 Thedoor has been s?mt/ or bolted. 

8 Because of his importunity; or shamelessness, or ur- 
gency, in pressing his claim. If a fellow- being can be made, 
through the urgency of another, to do a kindness that, all 
things considered, he at first did not wish to do, what may 
the child of God not expect to get, when he prays to His 
Father in the name of Jesus Christ, Who has all power in 
Heaven and on earth, and is trying to And those upon whom 
He can bestow His blessing. 



9-12 Asking . . . seeking . . . knocking; Matt. 7:7-11. 

13 Parents, knowing how it delights them to give good 
gifts to their children, should be encouraged to ask their 
Heavenly Father to give theni the Boln Spirit— a Gift He 
delights to bestow. 

14 A dumb demon; a spirit that made the one it inhab- 
ited speechless. 

15 Bv Beelzebub; or in the power of Beelzebub. (Matt. 
12:22-30). 

24-26 Return of the unclean spirit; Matt. 12:43-45. 



L :.{ 



100 



LUKE 



said to Him, " Happy the womb that car- 
ried Thee, and the breasts which Thou 
didst suck!" 28 But He said, "Yea, 
rather, happy are those who hear the word 
of God, and keep it!" 

29 And as the multitudes were gather- 
ing together to Him, He began to say, 
"This generation is an evil generation: 
it is seeking a sign, and a sign shall not be 
given it, except the sign of Jonah. 30 
For, as Jonah became a sign to the Nine- 
vites, so also will the Son of Man be to 
this generation. 

31 " The queen of the south will rise up 
in the judgment with the men of this gener- 
ation, and will condemn them; because she 
came from the ends of the earth to hear 
the wisdom of Solomon; and, behold, 
something more than Solomon is here. 

32 " The men of Nineveh will rise up in 
the judgment with this generation, and 
condemn it; because they repented at the 
preaching of Jonah; and, behold, fome- 
thing more than Jonah is here. 

THE LIGHTED LAMP. 

33 "No one, having lighted a lamp, puts 
it in a cellar, or under a measure, but on 
a lamp-stand, that those who enter may 
see the light. 34 The lamp of your 
body is your eye. When your eye is 
sound, your whole body also is full of 
light; but, when it is evil," your body also 
is dark. 35 Take heed, therefore, lest 
the light in you be darkness. 36 If, 
therefore, your whole body be full of 
light, not having any part dark, it shall be 
wholly light, as when the lamp, with its 
bright shining, illuminates you." 



THE PHARISEES AND LAWYERS REPROVED. 

37 Now, as He spake, a Pharisee asks 
Him to dine with him;" and, entering, He 
reclined at table. 38 And the Pharisee, 
seeing it, marvelled that He was not first 
immersed before breakfast. 39 But the 
Lord said to him, "Now ye, the Pharisees, 
cleanse the outside of the cup and the 
dish; but your inward part is full of ex- 
tortion and wickedness. 40 Senseless 
ones! Did not He who made the outside 
make the inside also? 41 But give as 
alms the things within;^ and, behold, all 
things are clean to you. 

42 "But woe to you Pharisees! because 
ye tithe the mint, and the rue, and every 
herb; but ye pass by judgment and the 
love of God. Now these things it was 
needful to do, and not to leave those un- 
done. 

43 "Woe to you Pharisees! because ye 
love the first seats in the synagogues, and 
the salutations in the marketplaces! 44 
Woe to you! because ye are as the unob- 
served tombs; and the men, walking over 
them, know it not." 

45 And one of the lawyers, answering, 
says to Him, "Teacher, in saying these 
things. Thou insultest us also!" 

46 And He said, " Woe to you lawyers, 
also! because ye burden men with burdens 
hard to be borne, and ye yourselves touch 
not the burdens with one of your fingers! 

47 " Woe to you! because ye build the 
tombs of the prophets, and your fathers 
killed them. 48 Consequently, ye are 
witnesses, and consent to the works of 
your fathers; because they, indeed, killed 
them, and ye build their tombs. 49 On 



5 Or, diseased. 



Or, to breakfast with him. 7 Or, as ye have. 



28 Happy are those who hear the. word of God and keep it; 
the physical relation ol Jesus to His mother, though im- 
portant, was not so endearing to Him as the spiritual 
relation of His obedient disciples. There is surely no Scrip- 
ture reason to support the idea that Mary should he idol- 
ized. She was only a blessed woman; she was no goddess. 

29-32 Seeking a sign: Matt. 12:38-42; Mark 8:11. 12. 

33-36 Lamp under a measure; Matt. 5:15; 6:22, 23. 

34-36 When your eye is sound; in a healthy state, ready 
to give perfect vision. Evil; unsound, or incapable of sup- 
plying good vision. Take heed, lest the light in you he dark- 
ness; intellectual light and Gospel privileges unimproved, 
become sources of spiritual darkness. A clear revelation 
of spiritual truth is to the spiritual man what perfect 
sight is to the body. 

38 Maj-velled thai he was not first immersed; this, of 
course, does not refer to the ordinaDce of immersion which 



Jesus enjoins in Matt. 28:19. 20; but to a Jewish custom, 
which He felt under no obligation to observe. 

39 Cleanse the outside; try to keep up a decent outside 
appearance, Full of extortion and wickedness; their hearts 
were corrupt and covetous. 

40 Senseless ones; trying to mock God with outward 
forms and ceremonies, while their hearts were sinks of in- 
iquity ! There was no sense in such a shallow trick. 

41 Oive as alms the things within; the things within your 
power or ability. 

44 Unobserved tombs; hidden under the ground, so that 
men walk over them unobserved. The Pharisees sought 
to conceal all their moral corruption, and appear respect- 
able on the outside. 

45 In saying thesethings Thouinsultestusalso; the things 
that He was saying suited their case; and they themselves 
made the application, as appears from their anger. 



LUKE 



101 



this account also the wisdom of God said, 
'I will send them prophets and apostles, 
and some of them will they slay, and some 
will they persecute; 50 that the blood of 
all the prophets, which has been shed from 
the founding of the world, may be re- 
quired of this generation — 51 from the 
blood of Abel to the blood of Zachariah 
who perished between the altar and the 
house — ^yea, I say to you, it shall be re- 
quired of tliis generation.' 



52 "Woe to you lawyers; because ye 
took away the Key of Knowledge; ye your- 
selves entered not in, and those who were 
entering ye hindered." 

53 And, when He went forth thence, 
the scribes and Pharisees began vehe- 
mently to press upon Him, and to urge 
Him to speak concerning many things; 
54 lying in wait for Him, to catch some- 
thing out of His mouth. 



49 Tlie Wisdom of Ood; the ■wisdom of God as summed 
up in the teachings and works of Christ. 

52 The Key of Knowledge; Jesus Christ is the true Key of 
Knowledge; and these corrupt teachers were preventing 



the people from accepting Him. They would not believe 
Him themselves, and they kept others back who were dis- 
posed to accept Him. It will, doubtless, greatly augment 
the sufferings of the lost, that they helped to drag others 
down to Gehenna. 



CHAPTER XH. 

VARIOUS INSTRUCTIONS TO THE DISCIPLES 
AND OTHERS. 

1 In the meantime, the vast multitude 
having been gathered together, so as to 
tread one upon another, He began to say 
to His disciples, first, "Beware of the 
leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypoc- 
risy. 2 But notliing has been covered 
up, that shall not be revealed; and hid, 
that shall not be known. 3 Wherefore, 
whatsoever ye said in the darkness shall 
be heard in the light; and what ye spake 
in the ear in the inner chambers shall be 
proclaimed upon the housetops. 

4 "And I say to you, my friends, be 
not frightened by those who kill the body, 
and after that have no more that they can 
do; 5 but I will show you Whom ye 
should fear; fear Him Who, after killing, 
has authority to cast into Hell; yea, I say 
to you, fear Him. 

6 " Are not five sparrows sold for two 
pence? and one of them is not forgotten 
before God. 7 But even the hairs of your 

NOTES ON CHAPTER XII. 

1 Vast multitude; literally, the myriads of the multi' 
tude. an indefinitely large number. The leaven of the Pharv 
sees; the hypocrisy that permeated and vitiated all their 
religious works. 

2 Nothing has been covered up; Jesus shows the utter 
tolly of hypocrisy from the fact that everything in the end 
will be brought to light. 

4-12 Be not frightened h\i those who kill the body; fear 
has kept many a one from accepting Christ. Jesus shows 
the groundlessness of the fear of man : 1. In the fact that, 
though he miay kill the body, he can do nothing more; 
while God can destroy both soul and body in Gehenna, (vs. 
4. 5) ; 2. God, who watches the sparrows, will not over- 
look His faithful servants, (vs. 6, 7) ; 3. If we deny Christ 



head have all been numbered; fear not, 
ye are of more value than many sparrows. 

8 "And I say to you, every one who 
shall confess Me before men, him will the 
Son of Man confess before the angels of 
God; 9 but he who denied Me before 
men shall be denied before the angels of 
God. 10 And every one who shall say a 
word against the Son of Man, it shall be 
forgiven him; but to him who blasphemes 
against the Holy Spirit, it shall not be 
forgiven. 11 And, when they bring you 
in before tlie synagogues, and the rulers, 
and the authorities, be not anxious how 
or what ye shall answer, or what ye shall 
say; 12 for the Holy Spirit will teach 
you in that very hour what ye ought to 
say." 

13 And one out of the multitude said to 
Him, " Teacher, bid my brother divide the 
inheritance with me." 14 But He said to 
him, " Man, who appointed Me a judge or 
a divider over you?" 15 And He said 
to them, "Take heed, and guard your- 
selves from all covetousness; because, 

here, he will deny us at the judgment, (vs. 8, 9). He then 
warns them against the sin against the Holy Spirit, (v. 10). 
And warns them to have no anxiety about their defense, 
when they should appear before magistrates, (vs. 11, 12). 

13 Bid my brother divide the inheritance with me; this 
man wished to use the power and influence of Jesus to in- 
crease his estate. So many now make some sort of pro- 
fession of religion, that they may be helped in business! 

15 Guard yourselves from all covetousness; this is a fear- 
ful sin, and it is one common alike to rich and poor. Covet- 
ousness. as the Greek indicates, is a having more, or seek- 
ing to have more. The value of a man's life does not de- 
pend upon the amount of earthly goods he possesses. Some 
of God's poorest are happier far than the Christian mil- 
lionaire; and. perhaps, more valuable to the cause of 
Christ. 



102 



LUKE 



one's life consists not in the abundance of 
the things which he possesses." 

16 And He spake a parable to them, 
saying, " A certain rich man's field yielded 
bountifully; 17 and he reasoned within 
himself, saying, ' What shall I do, be- 
cause I have not where to store my fruits ? ' 
18 And he said, 'This will I do: I will 
pull down my barns, and build larger 
ones ; and there will I store all my grain 
and my goods. 19 And I will say to my 
soul, Soul, you have much goods laid up 
for many years; take your ease, eat, 
drink, be merry.' 20 But God said to 
him, 'Senseless one! this night they re- 
quire your soul of you; and the things 
you prepared, whose shall they be ? ' 21 
So is he who is laying up treasure for 
himself, and is not rich toward God." 

22 And He said to His disciples, 
" Therefore, I say to you, be not anxious 
for your soul,^ what ye shall eat; nor yet 
for your body, what ye shall put on; 23 
for the soup is more than the food; and 
the body, than the clothing. 

24 "Consider the ravens, that they 
neither sow nor reap; which have neither 
storehouse nor barn; and God feeds them! 
Of how much more value are ye than the 
birds! 

25 "And who of you, hy being anxious, 
can add one cubit to his stature ? 26 If, 
therefore, ye cannot do the least thing, 
why are ye anxious about the rest? 27 
Consider the lilies, how they grow; they 
neither toil nor spin; and I say to you, 
even Solomon, in all his glory, was not ar- 
rayed as one of these! 28 Now, if God so 
clothes the grass in the field, which to-day 



is, and to-morrow is cast into an oven, 
how much more shall He clothe you, O ye 
of little faith! 29 And seek ye not what 
ye shall eat, and what ye shall drink; nor 
be troubled with anxiety; 30 for after 
all these things are the nations of the 
world seeking; and your Father knoweth 
that ye need these things. 31 But seek 
ye His Kingdom, and these things shall 
be added to you. 

32 " Fear not, little flock; because your 
Father delighted to give you the King- 
dom. 33 Sell what ye have, and give 
alms; make for yourselves purses that 
grow not old, a treasure unfailing in 
Heaven, where no thief approaches, nor 
moth corrupts; 34 for where your treas- 
ure is, there will your heart be also. 

35 " Let your loins be girded about, and 
your lamps burning; 36 and yourselves 
like men waiting for their lord, when he 
shall return from the marriage feast; that, 
when he comes and knocks, they may 
straightway open to him. 37 Happy are 
those servants, whom their lord, when 
coming, shall find watching! Verily I say 
to you, that he will gird himself, and make 
them recline; and, coming near, he will 
serve them. 38 And, if he shall come in 
the second watch, and if in the third, and 
find them so, happy are they! 39 But 
know this, that, if the householder had 
known at what hour the thief was coming, 
he would have watched, and not have suf- 
fered his house to be broken^ through. 40 
Be ye also ready; because at an hour ye 
think not the Son of Man cometh." 

41 And Peter said, "Lord, speakest 
Thou this parable to us, or to all?" 42 



1 Ov.life. 



2 Gr. Dug. 



20 Senseless one; because he was congratulating his soul 
on his vast stores of breadl This night; how often the 
covetous boaster is cut down suddenly, and sent to his 
place of woe 1 

22-31 Be not anxious for your soul; here including the 
animal life. The soul is the seat of animal life; and this 
animal life is fond of eating and drinking. Anxiety about 
eating and drinking is unworthy of the true followers of 
Jesus. See Matt. 6:25-34. 

25 Add one cubit to his stature; Matt. 6:27. 

31 Seek ye Bis Kingdom and these things sTiall be added 
the person who is honestly and intelligently seeking the 
glory of God, and to promote the interests of His King 
dom, will be sure to receive his "bread and water"— and 
whatever else is best for him to have. 

32 Tour Father delighted to give you the Kingdwn; this 
Is the true translation. The meaning of Kingdom here de- 
notes what they already enjoyed of the grace of God, and 
all that awaited them in the future. Those who accepted 



Jesus as their Saviour received the Kingdom of God within 
them; and the outward PCngdom will be set up later. 

33 Give alms; to the poor and needy. This is one of the 
indispensible fruits of a holy character and life. Purses 
that grow not old; heavenly purses to hold heavenly treas- 
ures. 

35-46 Th£. faithful servant; Matt. 24:42-51. 

36 Shallretum from, the marriage feast; servants were 
accustomed, on such occasions, to remain up, to let their 
lord in without delay, (Matt. 25:1-13). 

37 Shall find watching ; this illustration from a familiar 
custom had an application to Himself and His faithful dis- 
ciples. WiU minister to them; will greatly honor them for 
their fidelity. 

38 Second watch; from 9 to 12 o'clock at night; third 
watch; from 12 to 3 A. M. 

40 The Son of Man cometh; this shows the immediate 
application of his teaching above. 



LUKE 



103 



And the Lord said, "Who, then, is the 
faithful steward, the wise one, whom his 
lord will appoint over his household to give 
the portion of food in due season? 43 
Happy that servant, whom his lord, when 
he comes, shall find so doing. 44 Of a 
truth I say to you, that he will appoint 
him over all his goods. 45 But, if that 
servant should say in his heart, 'My lord 
is delaying to come,' and shall begin to 
beat the manservants and the maidserv- 
ants, and to eat and drink, and to be 
drunken; 46 the lord of that servant will 
come in a day when he is not expecting 
him, and in an hour which he knows not, 
and will cut him asunder, and appoint his 
portion with the unfaithful. 47 And the 
servant who knew his lord's will, and made 
not ready, nor did according to his will, 
shall be beaten with many stripes; 48 but 
he who knew not, and did things worthy of 
stripes, shall be jjeaten with few. And to 
whomsoever much is given, of him will 
much be required; and to whomsoever they 
committed much, of him they will ask the 
more. 

49 " I came to cast fire on the earth; and 
what wish I, if it were already kindled?* 
50 But I have an immersion to be im 
mersed with\ and how am I constrained 



until it be accomplished! 61 Think ye 
that I came to give peace in the earth? I 
tell you, nay, but rather division. 52 For 
from this time forth five in one house will 
be divided, three against two, and two 
against three; 53 they will be divided, 
father against son, and son against father; 
mother against daughter, and daughter 
against the mother; mother-in-law against 
her daughter-in-law, and daughter-in-law 
against the mother-in-law." 

54 And He said to the multitudes also, 
' When ye see a cloud rising in the west, 
straightway ye say 'A shower is coming!' 
and so it happens. 55 And, when ye see a 
south wind blowing, ye say, 'There will be 
scorching heat!' and it comes to pass. 56 
Hypocrites ! Ye know how to interpret* 
the face of the earth and of the heavens; 
but how is it ye know not how to interpret* 
this time ? 57 And why even of yourselves 
do ye not judge what is right? 58 For, as 
you are going with your adversary before 
the ruler, on the way give diligence to be 
released from him; lest he draw you to the 
judge, and the judge shall deliver you to 
the exactor,* and the exactor shall cast you 
into prison. 59 I tell you, you will in no 
wise come out thence, till you shall pay 
even the last mite." 



' Or. how I wish it were already kindled/ 



Or, 



i Or, punisher. 



42 Faithful steward, the wise one; the Saviour shows, in 
His answer to Peter, that the parable refers especially to 
preachers and teachers of the Gospel, with whom fidelity 
in all things, including watchfulness for His coming, is es 
pecially emphasized. The portion of food; the measure of 
grain, as the Greek signifies. 

N. B.— The parable teaches, besides, that one's responsi 
bilities will be measured, in part at least, by the knowledge 
lie has ; or. taking it all together, one's responsibilities are 
measured by his opportunities and abilities. 

49 1 came to cast fire 011 the earth; in the same way as He 
sent a sword. (Matt. 10:34). Fire and sword are emblems 
of contention and destruction; and the Gospel of Christ, 
when accepted by a portion of the people, will place them 
where the fierce opposition of Satan, working through 
wicked men, will assail, and destroy some of them. What 
wish I: what wish I to do, if the fire of persecution and op 
position to the truth were turned loose at once I Jesus did 
not mean by this that he was disposed to avoid the fire 
Himself. 



51 Division; on the same principle as He came to send 
fire and sword, (Matt. 10:34-36). 

54 Bising in the west; from the Mediterranean Sea— the 
direction from which showers of rain came. 

55 A south wind blowing; from the hot and sultry re- 
gions of Arabia. 

56 How to interpret this time; the Pharisees, acute 
enough in the interpretation of physical phenomena, were 
intensely slow to interpret Messianic phenomena. Through 
their corrupt hearts, their intellects were clouded and even 
blinded, so that they could not see, what they did not wish 
to see. 

58 By reference to an ordinary judicial case, the Saviour 
shows how important it is to be reconciled to God while on 
the way to His judgment bar; which reconciliation could 
be realized through no other agent than Jesus Christ. If 
men fail to be reconciled to God in this way, they will, 
after passing through the judgment, be cast into the prison 
of Gehenna, from which they will never escape, (Rev. 20: 
10. 15). 



CHAPTER XIII. 

ALL MUST REPENT, OR BE DESTROYED. 

1 And there were some present, at that 
Tery season, who reported to Him con- 
cerning the Gralilseans, whose blood Pi- 
late mingled with their sacrifices. 2 And, 



answering, He said to them, " Suppose ye 
that these Galilseans were sinners above 
all the Galilseans, because they have suf- 
fered these things? 3 I tell you, nay; 
but, unless ye repent, ye shall all likewise 
perish. 4 Or those eighteen upon whom 
the tower in Siloam fell and slew them. 



104 



LUKE 



suppose ye that they were offenders^ above 
all the men dwelling in Jerusalem? 5 I 
tell you, nay; but, unless ye repent, ye 
shall all likewise perish." 

THE rRUITLESS FIG TBEE. 

6 And He spake this parable: "A cer- 
taia man had a fig tree planted in his vine- 
yard; and he came seeking fruit thereon, 
and found none. 7 And he said to the 
vinedresser, 'Behold, these three years I 
come, seeking fruit on this fig tree, and 
find none; cut it down; why does it also 
make the land useless?' 8 But he, an- 
swering, says to him, ' Lord, leave it this 
year also, until I dig about it, and cast in 
fertilizers. 9 And if, indeed, it bear 
fruit for the future, well; but, if not, you 
shall cut it down.' " 

THE WOMAN BOWED TOGETHER, HEAI.ED 
ON THE SABBATH. 

10 And He was teaching in one of the 
synagogues on the sabbath. 11 And, be- 
hold, a woman who had a spirit of infirm 
ity eighteen years, and was bowed to 
gether, and wholly unable to raise herself 
up. 12 And Jesus, seeing her, called and 
said to her, "Woman, you have been 
loosed from your infirmity." 13 And He 
laid His hands on her, and immediately 
she was made straight, and was glorifying 
God. 

14 But the synagogue-ruler, answering, 
(being much displeased that Jesus healed 
her on the sabbath), said to the multitude, 
" There are six days in which it behooves 
us to work; in these, therefore, coming, 
be healed, and not on the sabbath day." 



15 And the Lord answered him, and 
said, "Hypocrites! does not each one of 
you, on the sabbath, loose his ox or his 
ass from the stall; and, leading it away, 
water itf 16 And was it not right that 
this woman, being a daughter of Abra- 
ham, whom Satan bound, lo, eighteen 
years, should have been loosed from this 
bond on the day of the sabbath? " 17 And, 
when He said these things, all those oppos- 
ing Him were being put to shame, and all 
the multitude were rejoicing because of 
all the glorious things which were being 
done by Him. 

THE MUSTARD SEED AND THE LEAVEN. 

18 And He said, " To what is the King- 
dom of God like ? and to what shall I liken 
it? 19 It is like a grain of mustard seed, 

hich a man, taking, i cast into his own 
garden; and it grew, and became a tree;^ 
and the birds of the heaven lodged^ in its 
branches." 

20 And again He said, " To what shall I 
liken the Kingdom of God? 21 It is like 
leaven which a woman, taking, hid in 
three measures of meal until the whole 
was leavened." 

THE NARROW DOOR. SHAMS EXPOSED AT 
THE JUDGMENT. 

22 And He was journeying through the 
cities and villages, teaching, and making 
His way to Jerusalem. 23 And a certain 
one said, "Are there few who are saved?" 
24 And He said to them, " Strive* to enter 
in through the narrow door; because many, 
I say to you, will seek to enter in, and will 



1 Gr. Debtors. 



2 Gr. Came to a tree. 3 Or. roosted, i Gr. Agonize. 



NOTES ON CHAPTER XIH. 

6 Seeking fruit thereon; searcliing for fruit among its 
boughs. 

7 Why does it also; it seemed bad enough, that there 
should he no fruit; but the fact that it was rendering the 
land useless was a strong reason why it should he cut 
down. 

8 And cast in fertilizers; about its roots. Mercy spares, 
for a time, many a one whose life is devoid of all valuable 
fruitage. When one is past all hope, it would be a mercy 
to end his earthly career, and cut short a life of increasing 
sin and woe. 

11 A spirit of infirmity; that kept her bowed together. 
To raise herself up; or assume an erect form. 

13 Laid His hands on her; a touch from Jesus is enough 
to heal one of the worst ailments or infirmities. 

14 Being much displeased that Jesus healed her on the 
sabbath; some people make an idol of the sabbath now as 
then. 

15 Hypocrites: Jesus icalls this synagogue-ruler, and 



those who sided with him against Himself, hypocrites; 
because they were more concerned for the relief of an ox 
or ass, than for the healing of this woman. It did not re- 
quire as much time for Jesus to heal her. as it did for any 
one of them to loose an ox or ass. and lead it to water. 

16 Whom Satan bound; this Scripture together with 
Acts 10:38 would indicate that Satan has far more to do 
with fastening ailments on people now than many sup- 
pose. 

17 Were being put to shame; His plain exposure of their 
hypocrisy and folly brought shame and confusion upon 
them. 

18-21 Parables of the mustard seed and leaven; Matt. 
13:31, 32. 

24. Strive; the Greek is agonize; make an earnest effort. 
Through the narrow door; the difficult entrance of the way 
of eternal life, (Matt. 7:13. 14). WUl not be able; because 
they defer the matter too long, or try in a wrong way. 
Thus, but indirectly, the Saviour answers Peter's ques- 
tion, (v. 23). 



LUKE 



105 



not be able. 25 When the Householder 
rises and shuts the door, and ye begin to 
stand without and to knock at the door, say- 
ing, 'Lord, open to us!' and He, answer- 
ing, shall say to you, 'I know you not, 
whence ye are;' 26 then ye will begin to 
say, 'We ate and drank in Thy presence, 
and Thou didst teach in our streets.' 27 
And He will say, 'I tell you, I know not 
whence ye are; depart from Me,, all ye 
workers of unrighteousness.' 28 There 
will be the weeping and the gnashing of 
teeth, when ye shall see Abraham, and 
Isaac, and Jacob, and all the prophets, in 
the Kingdom of God, and yourselves 
thrust forth without. 29 And they will 
come from the east and west, and from 
the north and south, and shall recline at 
table in the Kingdom of God. 30 And, 
behold, there are last who will be first, and 
there are first who will be last." 



JESUS FEAKS NOT HEKOD. LAMENTS OVEK 
JERUSALEM. 

31 In that very hour, there came certain 
Pharisees, saying to Him, " Go out, and 
journey hence; because Herod is wishing 
to kill Thee." 

32 And He said to them, " Going your 
way, tell this fox, 'Behold, I cast out de- 
mons, and perfect cures, to-day and to- 
morrow; and on the third day I am made 
perfect. 33 But yet I must go on My way 
to-day, and to-morrow, and tlie following 
day; because it is not possible that a 
prophet perish outside of Jerusalem ! ' 34 
O elerusalem, Jerusalem, that kills the 
prophets, and stones those sent to her; how 
often I wished to gather your children to- 
gether, as a hen gathers her own brood 
under her wings, and ye would not ! Be- 
hold, your house is abandoned to you ! 35 
But I say to you, ye shall in no wise see 
Me, until ye shall say, 'Blessed is He Who 
is coming in tJie name of the Lord ! ' " 



25 When the Ilousekolder rises and shuts the door; aUuding 
primarily to the custom o£ shutting the door at feasts, so 
as to keep others out, but designed especially to teach that 
the day of grace is limited, and that those who would 
enter must b3 on time, and have other prerequisites for 
entering. 

26. 27 We ate and drank; many eat and drink of the ele- 
ments used in the Lord's Supper; relying upon this out- 
ward observance; but Jesus teaches that this will avail 
them nothing, in the absence of vital union with Him. 

29 And shall recline at table in the Kingdom of God; as at 
a feast, where the guests recline at the table. 

30 Last first, and first last; this has a twofold applica- 
tion: first, to the scribes and Pharisees, who had the best 
religious opportunities, and made themselves last by reject 
ing Christ altogether; and in this sense, it is a more exact 



picture of the Jewish people who were offered the Gospel 
first, but will be among the last to accept it; second, in the 
world to come, many who had prominent positions and 
were greatly honored by men here, will be thrust down to 
Hell ; while many who were poor and unknown will be seen 
among the exalted and blessed. 

32 Tell this fox; Herod was a cunning, sly. and cruel 
man. To-day and to-morrow; a very brief time. On the 
third day I ammade perfect: alluding, probably, to his resur- 
rection from the dead on the third day, when the work of 
redemption would be complete. 

34.3.5 Lamentation over Jerusalem; Matt. 23:37-39. The 
day of opportunity passes; and, if one does not improve it. 
he is the worse for having had it. Light rejected brings 
intenser darkness. The rejection of Christ overshadows 
one's eternity with endless gloom! 



CHAPTER XIV. 

JESUS EAT3 AVITH A PHARISEE. HEALS 
ONE OF DROPSY. 

1 And it came to pass, when He went 
into the house of one of the rulers of the 
Pharisees on a sabbath to eat bread, that 
they were watching Him. 2 And, be- 
hold, there was before Him a certain man 
who had the dropsy. 3 And, answering, 
Jesus spake to the lawyers and Pharisees, 
saying, "Is it lawful on the sabbath to 
heal or not?" 4 But they were silent. 
And, taking hold of him^ He healed him, 



and let him go; 5 and He said to them, 
" Who of you shall have an ass or an ox 
fall into a well, and he will not straight- 
way draw him upon a sabbath day?" 6 
And they were not able to return an an- 
swer to these things. 

AVHAT SEAT TO TAKE AT A FEAST. 

7 And He spake a parable to those who 
were bidden, when He observed how they 
were choosing out the first seats; saying 
to them, 8 " When you are bidden by any 
one to a marriage feast, sit not on the first 
seat, lest possibly a more honorable man 



NOTES ON CHAPTEK XIV. 

1 To eat bread; Jesus ate with those who offered Him 

hospitality, on the sabbath day as well as at other times; 

but His eating was only incidental to His work, and to 

supply His bodily needs. 



3 Answering; replying to their thoughts by the question 
He propounded. 

5 Be justifies healing on the sabbath; Matt. 12:11. 12. 

8 Sit not on the first seat; don't take the most honored 
place for your.self. Such conduct would display great im- 
modesty and selfishness. 



106 



LUKE 



than you may have been invited by him; 
9 and he who bade you and him, coming, 
shall say to you, ' Give place to this man; ' 
and then you shall, with shame, begin to 
occupy the lowest place. 10 But, when 
yoii are invited, going, sit in the lowest 
place, that, when he who invited you 
comes, he may say to you, ' Friend, go up 
higher;' then you will have glory in the 
presence of all who are reclining at table 
with you; 11 because every one who ex- 
alts himself shall be humbled, and he who 
humbles himself shall be exalted." 

WHO TO INVITE TO A FEAST. 

12 And He said to him also who had in- 
vited him, " When you make a dinner or 
a supper, call not your friends, nor your 
brethren, nor your kindred, nor your rich 
neighbors; lest they also invite you in re- 
turn, and a recompense be made you; 13 
but, when you make a feast, call the poor, 
maimed, lame, blind; 14 and happy shall 
you be; because they have not wherewith 
to recompense you; for recompense will 
be made to you in the resurrection of the 
righteous." 15 And one of those reclin- 
ing with Him^ hearing these things, said 
to Him, " Happy is he who shall eat bread 
in the Kingdom of God ! " 

A GREAT SUPPEK. 

16 But He said to him, " A certain man 
was making a great supper, and invited 
many. 17 And he sent forth his servant, 
at the hour of the supper, to say to those 



invited, 'Come; because all things are 
now ready.' 

18 " And they all, with one consent^ be- 
gan to make excuse. The first said to 
him, 'I bought a field, and I must go out 
to see it; I pray you, have me excused.' 
19 And another said, 'I bought five yoke 
of oxen, and I am going to prove them; I 
pray you, have me excused.' 20 And an- 
other said, 'I married a wife; and, there- 
fore, I cannot come.' 

21 " And, coming near, the servant re- 
ported these things to his lord. Then the 
householder, being angry, said to his serv- 
ant, ' Go out quickly into the streets and 
lanes of the city; and bring in here the 
poor, and maimed, and blind, and lame.' 
22 Ajid the servant said, ' Sir, what you 
ordered has been done, and still there is 
room.' 23 And the lord said to the serv- 
ant, 'Go forth into the highways and 
hedges, and compel them to come in, that 
my house may be filled; 24 for I say to 
you, that no one of those men who have 
been invited shall taste of my supper.' " 

WHAT IT COSTS TO BE A DISCIPLE. 

25 Now there were journeying with 
Him great multitudes; and, turning. He 
said to them, 26 " If any one comes to Me, 
and hates not his own father, and mother, 
and wife, and children, and brothers, and 
sisters, and, further, his own souP also, he 



1 Ox.life. 



10 Sit in the lowes I place: the lowest and least honorable. 
Tou will have glory; honor, commendation, or praise. 

11 Exalts himself: is proud and seeks the best for him- 
self; Shall he humbled: by God, at the last day, if not 
sooner. Bumbles himself: takes a lowly place, and is con- 
tent therewith. Exalted: honored, raised to a place of die- 
Bity. 

13 Call the poor: who cannot recompense you. The 
Christian is to deny self, and not to seek to honor, and thus 
gratify it. See Isa. 58:6-11 

14 In the resurrection of the just: God will reward, in the 
resurrection, all who have imbibed the lowly spirit of Jesus. 
&nCL have done good without hope of earthly reward. 

15 Eat bread in the Kingdomof Ood: enjoy the fruitions 
■of Heaven. 

16 A great supper: representing the Gospel feast— which 
is one of great riches and abundance. 

17 To those invited; this class refers to the Jews, who 
liad the Gospel first preached to them. Att things are now 
ready; full provision is made in the Gospel for the supply 
of every spiritual need. 

18 Make excuse; showing the natural unwillingness of 
men to receive the Gospel. Imust go; a self-originated ne- 
cessity; he wanted an excuse, and he seized upon this, and 
made a necessity of it. 



19 Prove them; try them, to see how they would work, 
or whether they would answer the description given by the 
one who sold them to him. 

20 I cannot come; more honestly, I do not wish to come. 

21 Angry ; at the slight he had received in the rejection 
of his invitation. Streets and lanes; broadways and alleys ; 
the latter being in the vicinity of the poor. These classes 
represent the gentiles. 

23 The highways and hedges; lying outside of the oity 
limits— where the gentiles live. Compel them; by earnest 
pleading and prayer. 

24 JVone of those men . . . shall taste of my supper: a 
prophecy of the rejection of the Jews shortly to follow. No 
doubt, the words contain a solemn warning to many in 
Christian lands who are now rejecting the Gospel. 

25 Were journeying with Rim great multitudes: moved 
by various motives; some through real interest, others, 
perhaps, with the hope of receiving some profit, and many 
through curiosity. 

26 And hates not his father . . . and himself; Christ re- 
quires our supreme love; and, if we are not willing, at His 
bidding to give up all earthly relations, and renounce our 
self-life also, we cannot be His true disciples. The Christ- 
nature in the true believer hates the self-nature in others, 
and in one's self most of all. 



LUKE 



107 



cannot be My disciple, 27 And whoso- 
ever does not bear his own cross, and como 
after Me, cannot be INIy disciple. 28 For 
who of you, wishing to build a tower, 
does not, first, sitting down, calculate the 
expense, whether he has enough for iU 
completion? 29 lest, perhaps, having laid a 
foundation, and not being able to finish it, 
all who behold begin to mock him, 30 
saying, 'This man began to build, and 
was not able to finish! ' 

31 " Or what king, going on to engage 
another king in war, does not, sitting 
down, first take counsel, whether he is 



ible, with ten thousand, to meet him who 
is coming against him with twenty thou- 
sand? 32 And, if not by any means, 
while he is yet afar off, sending an em- 
bassy, he asks conditions of peace, 

33 " So, therefore, every one of you who 
does not renounce all his own goods, can- 
not be My disciple. 34 Salt, therefore, 
is good; but- if even the salt become taste- 
less, with what shall it be seasoned? 35 
It is fit neither for the land nor for ma- 
nure: they throw it without. He that has 
ears to hear, let him hear!" 



28 A tower; a high buildintr erected tor observation or 
defense, or possibly for both. 

32 Sending an embassy; persons sent from one govern- 
tnent to another to represent the interests of the former. 
Both of these illustrations serve to show the importance 
of counting the cost before starting out to follow the Lord. 

33 Renounce not all his goods; all temporal possessions 
must be yielded up to the Lord, before one can follow Him. 



34 If the salt hecnme tasteless; lose its virtue; meaning 
that, if a Christian's vitality, or saving efficacy, be lost. 
TVith what shall it he seasoned; what can restore its former 
strength and saving power? 

35 Neither for the land; as a fertilizing element. Nor 
for manure: it would be absolutely worthless. So the pro- 
fessed Christian who has not the spirit of Christ, and loses 
his first love, is worthless to His cause. 



CHAPTEE XV. 

LOST SHEEP. LOST SILVER. PRODIGAL 

SON. 

1 Now all the tax collectors and sinners 
were drawing near to Him to hear Him. 
2 And both the scribes and the Pharisees 
were murmuring, saying, "This Man re- 
ceiveth sinners and eateth with them!" 

3 And He spake to them this parable, 
saying, 4 " What man of you, having a 
hundred sheep, and losing one of them, 
does not leave behind the ninety and nine 
in the wilderness, and go after the lost 
one, until he finds it? 5 And, finding it, 
he places it upon his shoulders, rejoicing; 
€ and, coming to his house, he calls to- 
gether his friends and neighbors, saying, 
'Rejoice with me, because I found my 
sheep, which was lost.' 7 I say to you, 



that so there will be joy in Heaven over 
one sinner that repents, more than over 
ninety-nine righteous men who have no 
need of repentance. 

8 "Or what woman, having ten pieces 
of silver, if she lose one piece, does not 
light a lamp, and sweep the house, and 
seek diligently, till she finds it? 9 And, 
having found it, she calls together her fe- 
male friends and neighbors, saying, 'Re- 
joice with me; because I found the piece 
which I lost! ' 10 So, I say to you, there 
is joy in the presence of the angels of 
God over one sinner that repents." 

11 And He said, "A certain man had 
two sons. 12 And the younger said to his 
father, 'Father, give me the portion of 
the estate that falls to me.' And he di- 
vided to them his living. 13 And, not 
many days after, gathering all things to- 



NOTES ON CHAPTER XV. 

2 Were murmuring; finding fault, because He permitted 
sinful people to approach Him. He uses three parables to 
show them that, however sinful one may have been. God 
■welcomes him when he returns as a penitent. If the Father 
acts thus, surely the Son, who came to redeem sinners by 
His own death in their behalf, should mingle with those 
who believe in Him. 

3 This parable; the parable of the lost sheep, besides 
showing the joy in Heaven over the finding and saving of 
the lost, serves also to justify the Saviour's concern tor 
that -which is lost. The scribes and Pharisees thought 
they were safe ; therefore, Jesus, on their own assumption, 
might leave them to themselves. 

4-7 Thelost Sheep; Matt, 18:11-14. 

7 There willbe joy in Heaven; if Heaven rejoices over 



one penitent sinner's return to God, might not the 
Saviour be excused for living and working for them, as a 
means of leading them to repentance? 

8-10 The parable of the lost piece of money Illustrates 
the same general truth. 

8 Ten pieces of silver; the Greek drachma was worth 
about 16% cts., or 8 d. of English money. As the drachma 
was a silver coin, the thought is made more exact by trans- 
lating ten drachmas, ten pieces of silver. 

12 The younger; represents the openly wicked, as "the 
tax-collectors and sinners. " The elder son represents the 
Pharisees, who trusted in their own righteousness to save 
them. The father in this parable represents God in His 
kind and paternal government. His living; his estate. He^ 
gave the young man his part and reserved control o( the 
portion of the elder. 



LUKE 



gether, the younger son went abroad into 
a far country, and there wasted his estate, 
living riotously. 14 And, when he spent 
all, there arose a mighty famine in that 
country; and he began to be in want. 
15 And, going his way, he attached him- 
self to one of the citizens of that country; 
and he sent him into his fields to feed 
swine. 16 And he was longing to be 
filled with the pods .which the swine were 
eating; and no one was giving to him. 17 
But, coming to himself, he said, 'How 
many hired servants of my father have a 
superabundance of bread, and I am per- 
ishing here with hunger! 18 Arising, 1 
will go to my father, and will say to him, 
Father, I sinned against Heaven, and be- 
fore you; 19 I am no more worthy to be 
called your son. Make me as one of your 
hired servants.' 20 And, arising, he came 
to his father. But, while he was yet afar 
off, his father saw him, and was moved 
with compassion; and, running, he fell on 
his neck, and kissed him much. 21 And 
the son said to the father, 'Father, I 
sinned against Heaven, and before you; 
no longer am I worthy to be called your 
son!' 

22 "But the father said to his servants, 
' Quickly bring forth a robe, the best, and 
put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, 



and sandals on his feet; 23 and, bringing 
the fatted calf, k\\\it; and, eating,' let us 
be merry; 24 because this my son was 
dead, and came to life again; had been 
lost, and was found.' And they began to 
be merry. 

25 "Now his elder son was in a field; 
and as, in coming, he drew near to the 
house, he heard music and dancing. 26 
And, calling to him one of the young men, 
he inquired of him, what these things 
might be. 27 And he said to him, 'Your 
brother has come; and your father killed 
the fatted calf, because he received him in 
sound health.' 28 But he was angry, and 
was not willing to go in; but his father, 
coming out, kept entreating him. 29 But 
he, answering, said to his father, 'Behold, 
so many years do I serve you; and, at no 
time, did I transgress a command of yours; 
and you never gave me a kid, that I might 
make merry with my friends. 30 But, 
when your son — this one who devoured 
your living with harlots — came, you killed 
for him the fatted calf! ' 31 And he said to 
him, 'Child, you are always with me, and 
all that is mine is yours! 32 But it was 
meet to make merry, and rejoice; because 
this your brother was dead, and came to 
life again; and had heen lost, and was 
found.' " 



15 To feed swine; a very distastetul occupation to a Jew 
(see Lev. 11:7; Deut. 14:8). 

16 Pocls; growing on the carob tree, having something; 
like beans within. Swine could live on them; and very 
poor people sometimes ate them. 

17 Coming to himself; coming to his senses, or awaking 
from, his madness and folly. 

18 I will go to my father; the true penitent wishes tc 
get right with God ; and he is willing to confess his sins 
and make a "clean breast of it." 

20 Fell upon his neck: this illustrates the readiness with 
which God receives the penitent sinner, who comes to Him 
through His Son. Kissed him much, or kissed him ear- 
nestly. 

24 Was dead; was dead to virtue and happiness, and so 
far as any comfort to his father was concerned. Came to 
life again; received a sound mind, a penitent spirit, and a 
purpose to amend his life, and be a solace to his father. 

23 Bv.t he was angrii; the elder son cared nothing tor 



his brother; and in this respect he served to illustrate the 
indifference of the scribes and Pharisees to the openly sin- 
ful and vicious. 

30 Tour son; spoken in scorn and in a self-righteous 
spirit. He does not mention him as his brother. Who de- 
vouredyour living; squandered his portion of the estate. 
The elder brother disdains his brother and acts exceedingly 
naughtily towards his father, because of the kind reception 
he had given his prodigal boy. 

31 All that is mine is yours; all the property remaining 
was the elder son's, the younger having received and lost 
his portion. 

32 It was meet; it was the proper, the right, thing to do. 
Had the elder son been right, he would have rejoiced at 
the return of his prodigal, but now penitent, brother. So. 
it the scribes and Pharisees had been in a proper state of 
mind and heart, they would have rejoiced at the Saviour's 
efforts to save even the worst men and women from eternal 



CHAPTER XVI. 

THE SAGACIOUS STEWARD. 

1 And He said also to His disciples, 
"There was a certain rich man who had a 

NOTES ON CHAPTER XVT. 
1 Who had a atexrard; a man to manage his business for 
him. As SQuandering his goods; using them tor himself, 
or dealing loosely with them in connection with others. 



steward, and the same was accused to him 
as squandering his goods. 2 And, calling 
him, he said to him, ' What h this 1 hear 
of you? Render the account of your 
stewardship; for you can be no longer 

2 Render the account of your stewardship; make an ex- 
hibit of what you received in charge, and what you now 
have on hand. Many professed Christians think that they 
are the real owners of the property in their hands. 



LUKE 



109 



steward.' 3 And the steward said in him- 
self , ' What shall I do ? because my lord 
takes away the stewardship from me! To 
dig, I have not strength; to beg, I am 
ashamed! 4 I resolved what to do; that, 
when I am removed from the stewardship, 
they may receive me into their houses.' 
5 And, calling to him each one of his 
lord's debtors, he said to the first, ' How 
much do you owe my lord?' G And he 
said, 'A hundred measures* of oil.' And 
he said to him, 'Take your accounts, and, 
sitting down, quickly write. Fifty.' 7 
After that he said to another, ' And how 
much do you owe ? ' And he said, A hun- 
dred measures'^ of wheat.' He says to 
him, 'Take your accounts, and write. Four 
score.' 8 And the lord praised the stew- 
ard of unrighteousness, because he acted 
prudently; because the sons of this age 
are more prudent toward their own gener- 
ation, than the sons of light. 9 And I 
say to you, make to yourselves friends out 
of the mammon of unrighteousness; that, 
when it fails, they may receive you into 
everlasting tabernacles. 10 He that is 
faithful in the least is faithful also in 
much; he that is unrighteous in the least 



is unrighteous in much. 11 If, therefore, 
ye were not faithful in the unrighteous 
mammon, who will entrust to you the true 
riches? 12 And, if ye were not faithful 
in that which is another's, who will give 
to you your own? 13 No domestic^ can 
serve two lords; for either he will hate 
the one, and love the other; or he will 
hold to one, and despise the other: ye can- 
not serve God and mammon." 

14 And the Pharisees, being lovers of 
money, were hearing all these things, and 
were openly mocking Him. 15 And He 
said to them, "Ye are they who justify 
yourselves before men; but God knoweth 
your hearts; because that which is exalted 
among men is an abomination before God. 

16 "The law and the prophets were un- 
til John; from that time the Gospel of 
the Kingdom of God is proclaimed, and 
every one presses into it by force! 17 
But it is easier for heaven and earth to 
pass away, than for one tittle of the law 
to fall. 

18 "Every one who puts away his wife, 
and marries another, commits adultery; 
and he who marries a icoman divorced 
from her husband, commits adultery. 



Gr. Baths. 2 Gr. Cors. 



Or, household- servant . 



3 Said in himself: thought to himself, said in his mind. 

4 Iresolvei; after thinking the whole matter over, the 
thought occurred to him. Many render the aorist indica- 
tive here, as a present indicative, contrary to the law of 
tenses. The suggestion that came to the steward, he 
adopted as the course that he would pursue; and. alter its 
adoption, it became his plan to be executed— hence, at the 
same time he is represented as speaking, it is his line of 
policy to be pursued ; and, in this view of the case, it has a 
present meaning, 

6 Measures: a bath is over five gallons. One hundred 
baths equal more than 500 gallons. Write fifty : th.e stev!- 
ard steals 250 gallons of oi*. and gives it to his lord's 
debtor, with the hope that he himself might derive some 
benefit from the theft I 

7 A hundred measures of wheat; measures here is the 
cor, equal to eighty-six gallons dry measure. One hundred 
cors equals 8.600 gallons. 

8 And the lord; the owner of the goods. Praised the stew- 
ard of unrighteousness; commended his shrewdness. Of 
course, he did not indorse his theft. 

9 Make to yourselves friends out of the mammon of un- 
righteousness; by using it so as to save men by leading 
them to Christ. Mammon is a Chaldee word signifying 
riches. Wlien it fails; when your earthly stewardship 
closes in death. They may receive you into everlasting taber- 
nacles: may welcome you into the "house not made with 
hands." 

10 Faithful; as God's steward, faithful ia all things, 
small and great. It is not the quantity committed to us 
that God will regard, but our fidelity in managing all He 
has committed to us. The idea of the stewardship seems 



to have entered the minds of but very few professed Chris- 
tians, and yet the stewardship lies at the very foundation 
of a victorious and sucessf ul Christian life. So long as the 
human heart clings to any earthly good, and cherishes it as 
its own, self is not dethroned, and Christ cannot be King 
there. 

U Unrighteous mammon; worldly treasures, that are 
often sought in an unrighteous manner. True riches; heav- 
enly treasures— eternal good. 

12 If . . . not faithful with another's; if not honest in 
dealing with God in temporal matters, no one will give 
you the heavenly treasures. 

13 God and Mammon; Matt. 6:21. 

14 Openly mocking Him; because of His teachings in re- 
gard to the stewardship. Men deride this doctrine now; 
and are wont, most of them, to regard themselves, as own- 
ing what is in their hands I 

15 Justify yourselves; pretending to be honest before 
men; but God sees your hearts, and abhors your hypoc- 
risy. 

16 UntilJohn; Ma,tt. \ I -.12. 13. Uvery one presses into it 
bij fo?-ce; every class of sinners— tax-collectors, and har- 
lots—were pressing into the Kingdom, while the Pharisees 
and scribes were mocking Christ. 

17 One tittle of the law; the smallest point in the re- 
quirements of the law. An instance is given in the next 
verse. 

18 Every one who puts away his wife, and marries another; 
licentiousness was a characteristic of the Pharisees, and 
this with oovetousness is impliedly charged against them: 
these being mighty factors in keeping them from seeing 
the truth. 



no 



LUKE 



THE KICK MAN AND LAZARUS. 

19 "Now there was a certain rich man, 
and he was clothed in purple and fine 
linen, faring sumptuously every day. 20 
And a certain poor man, Lazarus by name, 
had been laid at his gate, full of sores, 21 
and desiring to be fed with the crumbs, 
falling from the rich ..man's table; yea, 
even the dogs, coming, were licking his 
sores. 22 And it came to pass that the 
poor man died, and that he was carried 
away by the angels into Abraham's bosom. 
And the rich man also died, and was buried; 
23 and in Hades, lifting up his eyes, being 
in torments, he sees Abraham afar off, and 
Lazarus in his bosom. 24 And, crying, 
he said, 'Father Abraham, have mercy on 
me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip 
the tip of his finger in water, and cool my 
tongue; because I am in anguish in this 
flame!' 25 But Abraham said, 'Child, re- 



member that, in your lifetime, you re- 
ceived in full your good things, and Laza- 
rus, likewise, evil things; but now here 
he is comforted, and you are in anguish. 
26 And, in all these things, between us 
and you a great chasm has been fixed; so 
that those wishing to cross from hence to 
you cannot; nor do they pass from thence 
to us.' 27 And he said, 'I pray you, 
therefore, father, that you would send 
him to my father's house; 28 for I have 
five brothers; that he may testify to them, 
lest they also come into this place of tor- 
ment.' 29 But Abraham says, 'They 
have Moses and the prophets; let them 
hear them.' 30 But he said, 'Nay, father 
Abraham; but, if one go to them from the 
dead, they will repent.' 31 But he said 
to him, 'If they hear not Moses and the 
prophets, neither will they be persuaded, 
if one rose from the dead.' " 



19-31 This, which is not called a parable, but seems to 
read as an actual occurrence illustrates the infinite folly of 
living for the world, and in the enjoyment of its fleeting 
pleasures. 

19 Clothed in purple and fine linen; indicating great 
wealth. Faring sumptuously; living extravagantly, and 
making great display. 

20. 21 A poor man; one destitute of all comforts, and. in 
this case, of necessities also. There was then no public 
hospital. Had been laid at his gate; with the hope that he 
might receive as much as the crumbs falling from the rich 
man's table. 

22 The poor man died; we have no account, however, of 
his burial. Was cairied away by the angels into Abraham's 
bosom; an angel escort conveys the spirits of the righteous 
to their blissful abode; Abraham's bosom being a com- 
mon Jewish expression for the rest and bliss of Heaven. 

24 Father Abraham, have mercy on me; this indicates 
that Dives was a Jew. This is the only instance in the 
Scriptures of any one praying to a departed spirit; but 



nothing was gained by it. There is no authority for wor- 
shiping any one but God. Tn anguish in this fiame; peo- 
ple may discard the idea of future punishment; but, like 
the rich man. they will find out, to their sorrow, their 
great mistake I 

25. 26 Remember; draw your consolation from your for- 
mer state. Think of your riches and honors I You neg- 
lected your eternal interests at the time they required at- 
tention; but no change can come to you for the better. 
The impassable chasm is now between you and Heaven. 

27-31 Send Mm to my father's house; he is now deeply 
concerned about his brothers, but he cannot do them any 
good. If they will not accept the word of God. there is no 
hope for them. One going to them from the dead would 
do them no good; they must accept God's word— the es- 
sence of which is Jesus Christ— and they must accept in 
this present lite, or they will be lost. 

N. B.— This refutes, thoroughly, the doctrine of soul- 
sleeping, annihilation, a second probation, and universal 
salvation. 



CHAPTER XVII. 

FIDELITY, rORGIVENESS, FAITH, AND HU- 
MILITY, ENJOINED. 

1 And He said to His disciples, "It is 
impossible but that occasions of stumbling 
should come; but woe to him through 
whom they come! 2 It were profitable 
for him, if a millstone were placed about 
his neck, and he thrown into the sea, 
rather than that he should cause one of 
these little ones to stumble. 3 Take heed 
to yourselves. If your brother sins, re- 



buke him ; and, if he repents, forgive him. 
4 And, if he sins against you seven times 
in the day, and seven times turns to you, 
saying, 'I repent,' you shall forgive him." 
6 And the apostles said to the Lord, 
"Increase our faith." 6 And the Lord 
said, "If ye have faith as a grain of mus- 
tard seed, ye would say to this sycamine 
tree, ' Be rooted up, and be planted in the 
sea,' and it would obey you. 7 But who 
is there of you, having a servant plowing, 
or tending cattle, that will say to him, 
having come in from the field, 'Coming 



NOTES ON CHAPTER XVII. 
1 Impossible; owing to the great wickedness of 
They will sin themselves and lead others to do the s 
Matt. 18:6, 7; Mark 9:41, 42. 



3. 4 Fonimness; Matt. 18:15-22. 

5 Increase our faith; in view of the wonderful require- 
ments set forth above, the disciples ask for faith. They 
felt that they needed it. 

6 8ycamine; same as sycamore in Matt. 17:Sa 



LUKE 



111 



straightway, recline at table;'' 8 and will 
not rather say to him, ' Make ready where- 
with I may sup; and, having girded your- 
self, serve me, until I eat and drink; and 
afterward you shall eat and drink?' 9 
Does he thank the servant, because he did 
the things that were commanded? 10 So 
also ye, when ye do all the things that 
were commanded you, say, 'We are un- 
profitable servants; we have done what it 
was our duty to do.' " 

TEN LEPERS CLEANSED. 

11 And it came to pass, when He was 
journeying to Jerusalem, that He was 
passing through the midst of Samaria and 
Galilee. 12 And, as He was entering into 
a certain village, there met Him ten lep- 
rous men, who stood afar off; 13 and 
they lifted up their voice, saying, "Jesus, 
Master, have mercy on us!" 14 And, 
when He saw them. He said to them, 
"Going your way, show yourselves to the 
priests." And it came to pass that, as 
they went, they were cleansed. 

15 And one of them, seeing that he was 
cleansed, turned back, praising God with 
a loud voice, 16 and fell on his face at 
His feet, giving thanks to Him; and he 
was a Samaritan. 

17 And Jesus, answering, said, "Were 
not the ten cleansed ? Where are the 
nine? 18 Were none found, returning to 
give glory to God, except this stranger? 
19 And He said to him, ' ' Arising, go on 
your way; your faith has made you 
whole." ^ 



Gr. Saved. 



THE KINGDOM OF GOD. 

20 And being asked by the Pharisees, 
when the Kingdom of God is coming, He 
answered them, and said, "The Kingdom 
of God comes not with observation; 21 
nor will they say, 'Lo, here!' or, 'Lo, 
there!' for, behold, the Kingdom of God 
is within you." 

22 And He said to the disciples, "There 
will come days, when ye will desire to see 
one of the days of the Son of Man, and ye 
will not see it. 23 And they will say to 
you, 'Lo, there!' or 'Lo, here!' go not 
away, nor follow after them. 24 For, as 
the lightning, flashing out of one part un- 
der heaven, shines to the other part under 
heaven; so shall be the Son of Man. 25 
But first He must suffer many things, and 
be rejected by this generation. 

26 "And, as it happened in the days of 
Noah, so will it be also in the days of the 
Son of Man: 27 they were eating, they 
were drinking, they were marrying, they* 
were given in marriage, until the day on. 
which Noah entered into the ark, and the 
flood came, and destroyed them all. 28 
Likewise, also, as it happened in the days 
of Lot; they were eating, they were drink- 
ing, they were buying, they were selling, 
they were planting, they were building; 
29 but on the day on which Lot went out 
from Sodom, it rained fire and brimstone 
from heaven, and destroyed them all: 30 
after the same manner shall it be in the 
day the Son of Man is revealed. 

31 "In that day let him who shall be on 
the housetop and his goods in the house 
not come down to take them away; and 
let him who is in the field likewise not re- 



7-10 These verses show that, after one has displayed 
patience, obedience, and humility, his reward must be of 
grace, rather than of debt. 

12 Ten leprous men, who stood afar off; lepers were re- 
quired not to come near to persons in health. Lev. 13:46 
Num. 5:2, 3; Matt. 8:2-4. 

14 Show yourselves to the priests; this was to obtain testi 
mony that the foul disease had disappeared, and that they 
might enter society again. Cleansed; healed. 

16 He was a Samaritan; another hint, that the Gospel 
•was not to be confined to the Jews. 

17 Where are the nine; many, after receiving great bless 
Ings from the Lord, seem to forget the fact. Ingratitude 
is a great, but a very common, sin. 

19 Tour faith has made you whole; your faith has healed 
you from this terrible disease. Faith merely connects one 
■with the Healer— Christ ; and He does the healing. 

20 The Kingdom of God comes not with ohservation ; not 
with outward display, or with visible and tangible show. 



21 Within you; the reign of Christ is now in the hearts 
of His people, and His visible, outward Kingdom will be 
established on the earth af tey the rapture and the visible 
coming of Christ to the earth, (Zech. 14:4-12; Rev. 19:19-21; 
20:1-4). 

22 One of the days of the Son of Man; this may have a 
double reference — first to the woes that would come upon 
the Jewish race in connection with the destruction of 
Jerusalem in A. D. 70; or. second, it may refer to the time 
of "Jacob's trouble," (Jer. 30:7; Zech. 12:10; 14:1-5). 

23 I/O, there! Lo, here!; referring to the false Christs 
that would spring up, and their admirers trying to direct 
attention to them, (Matt. 24:23-27). 

24 As the lightning ; when Christ shall come to destroy 
the beast's army, and to close up the present dispensation. 
His coming will be as manifest as the lightning flashes, 
shining across the heavens. 

25 Suffer many things : Mark 8 : 31. 

26-31 Christ's coming to establish His Millennial reign; 
Matt. 84:17, 18, 37-39. 



112 



LUKE 



turn back. 32 Remember Lot's wife. 
33 Whosoever shall seek to gain hi.3 soul'"^ 
sliall lose it; but whosoever shall lose it^ 
will preserve it. 34 I sa^ to you, in that 
night there will be two men on one bed; 
the one will be taken, and the other will 
be left. 35 There will be two women 



grinding together; the one will be taken, 
and the other will be left.""' 

37 And, answering, they say to Him, 
"Where, Lord?" and He said to them, 
"Where the body is, there will the 
also be gathered together." 



2 Or, li/6. 



Some ancient authorities add v. 38: "There will be two 
men in the field; the one will be taken, and the other 

be left." 



32 Lot's wife; she lost her lite by looking back, (Gen 
19:17, 26). 

33 Seefc to gain his soul; meaning here his physical life. 
Shall seek to save it by disobeying- God's commands, will 
lose it. See note on Matt. 16:24, 25. 

34-36 One shall he taken; Matt. 24:40, 41. 

37 Where, Lord; where will such calamities take place? 
Wheresoever the tody is; referring, probably, primarily to 
the Jews as a puople, who. af tar their crucilixion of Christ. 



were devoted to destruction at the hands of their enemies; 
or, more remotely, to the tribulation period, when Chris- 
tians will be slaughtered. (Rev. 13:7). and the Jewish peo- 
ple at Jerusalem suffer great horrors at the hand of the 
heast, (see again Jer. 30:7; Zech. 14:1-4; Rev. 19:19-21). 

N. J3.— The Saviour comes into the air to meet His 
watching, ready, and waiting disciples, in the rapture. 
(I Cor. 15:51,52; I Thess. 4:15-18); and, later. He comes 
with His saints, to take possession of the earth. (Zech. 14: 
5-9; Jiiiel4). 



CHAPTEK XVHI. 

1 And He spake a parable to them, to 
the end that they ought alwa^^s to pray, 
and not to faint; 2 saying, "There was 
in a city a judge, who feared not God, nor 
regarded man. 3 And there was a widow 
in that city; and she kept coming to him, 
saying, 'Avenge me of my adversary.' 4 
And he would not for a time; but after 
ward he said within himself, 'Though I 
fear not God, nor regard man; 5 yet 
because this widow occasions me trouble 
I will avenge her, lest, by her persistent 
coming, she wear me out.' " 6 And the 
Lord said, "Hear what the judge of uh 
righteousness says. 7 And will not God 
avenge His elect, who are crying to Him 
day and night, and He is long sutfering 
over them? 8 I say to you, that He will 
avenge them speedily. Nevertheless, will 
the Son of Man, when He cometh, find 
the faith on the earth? " 



THE PHARISEES AND TAX-COLLECTOKS. 

9 And He spake also this parable to 
some who had trusted in themselves that 
they were righteous, and despised the 
rest: 10 " Two men went up into the tem- 
ple to pray; one a Pharisee, and the other 
a tax-collector. 11 The Pharisee, having 
taken his stand, was praying these things 
with himself: 'God, I thank Thee that I 
am not as the rest of men, extortioners, 
unjust, adulterers, or even as this tax- 
collector! 12 I fast twice in the week; 1 
give a tenth of all that I acquire.' 

13 " But the tax-collector, standing afar 
off, would not lift up ev^en his eyes to 
heaven, but was smiting his breast, say- 
ing, 'God, be merciful to me, the sinner!' 
14 I say to you, this man went down jus- 
tified to his house, rather than the otlier; 
because every one who exalts himself shall 
be humbled, but he who humbles himself 
shall be exalted." 



NOTES ON CHAPTER XVHI. 

1 Always to pray: habitually, earnestly and persever- 
ingly. 

3 Avenge me: by attending to my suit, and administer- 
ing justice. 

5 I Kill avenge her, lest; this miserable judge bases his 
decision, not upon the merits of the case (about which he 
was totally indifferent), but upon his own comfort, or to 
avoid discomfort! 

6 Eear; learn a lesson from this remarkable decision. 

7 Will not God avenge His elect; if an unrighteous judge, 
-who cares not for God. and has no regard for man, can. 
through the importunity of a helpless widow, be influenced 
to do an act of justice, surely our God, the Righteous Judge, 
will attend promptly to .the petitions of His own elect. 
whom He has purchased with His Son's blood, and has 
quickened by His Spirit, and whom He loves with an ever- 
lasting love! 

8 Will He And the faith on the earth: this question seems 



very remotely connected with the line of thought set forth 
above; but, as Jesus was speaking of avenging the elect; 
and, as their vindication will be closely connected with the 
closing of the great tribulation— when the saints of God, 
who were left on the earth after the rapture, would be well- 
nigh extinguished from the earth, the dropping of this 
question, " Will He find the faith on the earth? " at that 
time, seems, in this view of the case, not unnatural. 

13 The tax-collector standing afar off; farfrom "the holy 
of holies," as not worthy to come nearer. Was smiting his 
breast: as a result of his deep anguish growing out of his 
conscious guilt. Pungent conviction for sin. and deep re- 
pentance, open the way for genuine faith in Christ, and 
this last is followed by the consciousness of sins forgiven. 

14 Justified; approved, accepted. When the true peni- 
tent accepts Christ as his Saviour, he is j ustifled by faith : 
his fait'j. uniting him to the Christ Who died on thecross, 
and put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself, (Rom. 5:1; 
Heb. 9:26)-. 



LUKE 



113 



JJAHES BUOUGHT TO III.M. 

15 And they were bringing to Him their 
babes, also, tliat He might touch them; 
but the disciples, seeing it, were rebuking 
them. 16 But Jesus called them to Hun, 
saying, ''Suffer the little children to come 
to Me, and forbid them not; for to such 
belongs the Kingdom of God. 17 Verily 
I say to you, whosoever does not receive 
the Kingdom of God as a little child, shall 
in no wise enter therein." 

THE RICH RULER. ONE THING NEEDFUL. 

18 And a certain ruler asked Him, say- 
ing, " Good Teacher, hy doing what shall 
I inherit eternal life?" 19 And Jesus 
said to him, "Why do you call Me good? 
No one is good, but One — God. 20 You 
know the commandments, 'Do not com- 
mit adultery,' 'Do not kill,' 'Do not 
steal, ' ' Do not bear false witness, ' ' Honor 
your father and your mother.' " 

21 And he said, "All these I observed 
from my youth." 

22 And Jesus, hearing it said to him, 
"Yet one thing is lacking to you; sell all 
that you have, and distribute to the poor, 
and you shall have treasure in Heaven, 
and come, follow Me." 

23 And, when he heard these things, he 
became very sorrowful; for he was ex- 
ceedingly rich. 24 And Jesus, seeing 
him, said, "With what difficulty do those 
having riches enter into the Kingdom of 
God! 25 for it is easier for a camel to en- 
ter through the eye of a needle, than for a 
rich man to enter into the Kingdom of 
God." 26 And those hearing it said, 
"And who can be saved!" 27 But He 
said, "The things impossible with men 
are possible with God." 

28 And Peter said, "Behold, having 
left our possessions, we followed Thee." 
29 And He said to them, "Verily I say to 
you, there is no one who left house, or 



wife, or brothers, or parents, or children, 
for the sake of the Kingdom of God, 30 
who shall not receive manifold more in 
this time, and in the coming age eternal 
hfe." 

FORETELLS HIS SUFFERINGS. 

31 And, taking the twelve aside, He 
said to them, ' Behold, we are going up to 
Jerusalem; and all the things, written 
through the prophets respecting the Son 
of Man, will be accomplished; 32 for He 
will be delivered up to the gentiles, and 
will be mocked, and insulted, and spit 
upon, 33 and they will scourge Him, and 
kill Him; and, on the third day, He will 
rise again." 31 And they understood none 
of these things; and this saying was hid- 
den from them, and they were not under- 
standing the things being said. 

BLIND MAN RECEIVES SIGHT. 

35 And it came to pass, when He was 
drawing near to Jericho, that a certain 
blind man was sitting by the wayside, beg- 
ging. 36 And, hearing a multitude pass- 
ing along, he was inquiring what this 
might be. 37 And they told him, that 
Jesus the Nazarene was passing by. 38 
And he cried, saying, "Jesus, Son of 
David, have mercy on me!" 

39 And those going before were rebuk- 
ing him, that he should be silent; but he 
kept crying out much more, "Son of 
David, have mercy on me! " 

40 And Jesus, standing still, commanded 
that he be brought to Him; and, when he 
drew near. He asked him, 41 "What do 
you wish that I should do for you? " And 
he said, "Lord, that I may receive sight." 
42 And Jesus said to him, "Receive sight; 
your faith has made you whole. "^ 43 
And instantly he received sight, and was 
following Him, glorifying God. And all 
the people, seeing it, gave praise to God. 



Gt. Saved. 



15-17 Children brought to Christ; Matt. 19:13-15. 
18-27 The rich ruler; Matt. 19:16-26. 
28-30 The manifold reward to the true disciple; Matt. 
31-34 Jesus foretells His death; Matt. 20:17-19. 
31 Things written through the prophets; Dun. 9:: 
Isa. 53:3-10. 



34 They were not understanding ; because their precon- 
ceived notions of Christ as a great temporal Kuler stood 
right in the way. They seemed never, till after His resur- 
rsction, to have caught the idea that He was to die as a 
sin-offering. 



CHAPTER XIX. 

ZACCH^US, THE RICH TAX-COLLECTOR. 

1 And, having entered. He was passin. 
through Jericho; 2 and, behold, a man. 



called by name Zacchseus, and he was a 
chief tax-collector; and he was rich. 3 
And he was seeking to see Jesus, Who He 
was; and was not able on account of the 
multitude; because he was small in stature. 



iU 



LUKE 



4 And, running before, he climbed up 
into a sycamore tree, that he might see 
Him; because He was about to pass along 
that way. 5 And, when He came to the 
place, Jesus, looking up, said to him, 
"Zacchseus, hastening, come down; for to- 
day I must abide in your house." 6 And, 
hastening, he came down, and received 
Him joyfully. 7 And, seeing it, they 
were all murmuring, saying, "He went in 
to be guest with a sinful man!" 8 And, 
standing, Zacchseus said to the Lord, "Be- 
hold, the half of my goods. Lord, I give 
to the poor; and, if I wrongfully exacted 
anything from any one, I restore four- 
fold." 

9 And Jesus said to him, "To-day sal- 
vation came to this house, inasmuch as 
he also is a son of Abraham; 10 for the 
Son of Man came to seek and to save that 
which is lost." 

PARABLE OF THE NOBLEMAN's JOURNEY TO 
A DISTANT LAND, AND HIS RETURN. 

11 And, as they were hearing these 
things, adding. He spake a parable, be- 
cause He was nigh to Jerusalem, and they 
supposed that the Kingdom of God was 
about immediately to appear. 12 He said, 
therefore, ' ' A certain nobleman went into 
a far country, to receive for himself a 
kingdom, and to return. 13 And, call- 
ing ten servants of his, he gave them ten 
pounds, and said to them, 'Do business, 
till I come.' 14 But his citizens were ha- 
ting him, and sent an embassy after him, 
saying, 'We do not wish this man to be 
king over us.' 15 And it came to pass, 



when he came back, having received the 
kingdom, that he commanded the serv- 
ants to whom he had given the money, ^ to 
be called to him, that he might know 
what they accomplished in business. 

16 "And the first came before him, say- 
ing, 'Lord, your pound gained ten 
pounds.' 17 And he said to him, 'Well 
done, good servant; because you were 
faithful in a very little, have authority 
over ten cities.' 18 And the second 
came, saying, 'Lord, your pound gained 
five pounds.' 19 And he said also to this 
man, 'Be thou also over five cities.' 20 
And the other came, saying, 'Lord, be- 
hold, your pound which I had lying away 
in a napkin; 21 for 1 feared you, because 
you are a harsh ^ man; you take up what 
you did not lay down, and reap what you 
did not sow.' 22 He says to him, 'Out 
of your own mouth will 1 judge you, O 
evil servant! You knew that I am a harsh 
man, taking up what I did not lay down, 
and reaping where I did not sow; 23 and 
wherefore did you not put my money ^ in 
bank; and I, at my coming, would have 
exacted it with interest.' 24 And he said 
to those standing by, 'Take away from 
him the pound, and give it to him who 
has the ten pounds.' 25 And they said, 
'Lord, he has ten pounds.' ' 26 'I say to 
you that to every one who has shall be 
given; but from him who has not shall be 
taken away even that which he has. 27 
But, these my enemies, who did not wish 
me to be king over them, bring hither, 
and slay them before me.' " ' 



Gr. The silver. 2 Or, ha7-d, austere. 



NOTES ON CHAPTER XIX. 

8 7/7 wrongfully exacted anythina; collected more than 
the law required. I restore fourfold; restore to him four 
times as much as the overcharge, (Ex. 22:1; Num. 5:6. 7). 

9 A son of Abraham; being a Jew, and also having some- 
thing of Abraham's faith. 

10 The lost : U?l\,X,. \B:n. 

1 1 Kingdom of God was about immediately to appear; His 
disciples thought thaf . when He entered into Jerusalem. He 
would at once set up His Kingdom. To correct this error. 
He spake the following parable. 

12 A certain nobleman; thisrepresents Jesus Christ. Who 
has gone to Heaven to get His Kingdom; and. in due time, 
to return. 

13 A pound; the value ot the pound or mina (a Greek 
coin) was worth 100 drachmas; and the drachma is esti- 
mated at about 19 cts. (United States money). Hence the 
pound was about $19. The pound here represents one's 
abilities and opportunities to do good. Do business till I 
come; God expects His people to be diligent in His busl 
ness; and to keep busy till He comes. 



14 His citizens; meaning the Jewish people. John 1:11. 

20 A napkin; a towel or handkerchief. 
■ 21 Akarshman; hard in his dealings, tyrannical, and un- 
just. Such is the opinion that many people have of God. 

22 Out of your oionmouth; by your own admission. If 
you knew I was harsh, why did you not prepare to meet 
my requirements? 

23 Fut my money in bank; literally place my silver on a. 
table— i. «.. on a banker's table; so it could be loaned, and 
bring in something for its use. 

24 Give it to him who has the ten pounds; because he 
showed greater capability for managing business than the 
one who had gained five pounds. The more one uses his 
opportunities for doing good, the more his opportunities 
will increase. 

25 Lord, he has ten pounds; they were surprised that 
their lord should give the pound to him who had ten al- 
ready. 

27 Slay them before me; a picture of the dire destructioa 
that will come upon the Lord's enemies at His coming. 



LUKE 



115 



HIS TRIUMPHAL ENTRY INTO JERUSALEM. 

28 And, having said these things, He 
was journeying on before, going up to Je- 
rusalem. 

29 And it came to pass that, as He drew 
near to Bethphage and Bethany, at the 
mount called the mount of Olives, He sent 
two of His disciples, 30 saying, "Go 
your way into the village over against you, 
in which as ye are entering, ye will find a 
colt tied, on which no man ever sat; and, 
having loosed him, bring him. 31 And, 
if any one ask you, 'Why do ye loose 
him?' thus shall ye say, 'Because the 
Lord hath need of him.'" 32 And those 
sent, having gone away, found even as He 
said to them. 33 And, as they were loos- 
ing the colt, his owners said to them, 
"Why loose ye the colt?" 34 And they 
said, "The Lord hath need of him." 35 
And they led him to Jesus; and, having 
thrown their garments upon the colt, they 
sat Jesus thereon. 36 And, as He was 
going forward, they were spreading their 
garments in the way. 37 And, as He was 
already drawing nigh to the descent of the 
mount of Olives, the whole multitude 
of the disciples, rejoicing, began to 
praise God with a loud voice for all the 
mighty works which they saw; 38 saying, 
"Blessed is the King Who is coming in the 
name of the Lord! Peace in Heaven, and 
glory in the highest ! " 



39 And some of the Pharisees from the 
multitude said to Him, "Teacher, rebuke 
Thy disciples!" 40 And, answering. He 
said, " I tell you that, if these shall be silent, 
the stones will cry out ! " 

41 And, when He came near, seeing the 
city, He wept over it, 42 saying, " If you 
knew, in this your day — even you — the 
things pertaining to peace ! but just now 
were they hid from your eyes! 43 Be- 
cause the days will come upon you, when 
your enemies will cast a rampart about 
you, and compass you round, and hem you 
in on all sides; 44 and they will dash you 
to the ground, and your children within 
you; and shall not leave in you a stone upon 
a stone; because you knew not the season 
of your visitation." 

HE CLEANSES THE TEMPLE. 

45 And, having entered into the temple, 
He began to cast out those who sold; 46 say- 
ing, to them, "It has been written, 'And 
My house shall be a house of prayer;' but 
ye made it a den of robbers." 

47 And He was teaching daily in the 
temple; but the high priests and the scribes 
and the chief men of the people were seek- 
ing to destroy Him; 48 and they were 
not finding anything they could do; for 
the people were all hanging upon Him, 
listening. 



28-40 Jesus rides into Jerusalem; Matt. 21 : 1-16. 

40 The stones will cry out; a proverbial expression, sug- 
gesting the strong reasons why praise should he offered 
to Him. 

41 Wept over it; because of the terrible doom soon to be 
visited upon it. 

43 Tour enemies; the Romans. Compass you round; as 
they did. by digging a trench around Jerusalem. (Josephus. 
Book VI). 

44 Your children within you; the Jewish people who 



were in the city. Shall not leave a stoneupona stone; Titus, 
the Roman general, caused the very ground to be plowed 
up, in fulfillment of this prophecy. Knew not the season 
of your visitation; the time when mercy was offered. Many 
individuals, likewise, fail to recognize God's call to them; 
and, by resisting the Holy Spirit, they bring eternal ruin 
upon themselves. 

45, 46 The traffickers cast out; Matt. 21:12, 13. 

48 They were not finding anything they could do; they 
found, for the time, no way of getting rid of Christ, because 
of the great interest the common people had in Him. 



CHAPTEE XX. 



BT WHAT AUTHORITY. 



1 And it came to pass, on one of the 
days, as He was teaching the people in the 
temple, and proclaiming the Gospel, that 
there came upon Him the high priests and 
the scribes with the elders, 2 and spake, 
saying to Him, "Tell us by what author- 
ity Thou art doing these things, or who 
gave Thee this authority? " 

3 And, answering. He said to them, "I, 



too, will ask you a question;^ and tell Me: 
4 "The immersion of John, was it from 
Heaven, or of men ? " 6 And they reasoned 
together with themselves, saying, "If we 
say, 'From Heaven,' He will say, 'Why 
did ye not believe him? ' 6 and if we say, 
'From men,' all the people will stone us; 
for they are persuaded that John was a 
prophet." 7 And they answered that they 
knew not whence it was: 8 and Jesus said 



Gr. A word. 



116 



LUKE 



to them, "Neither do I tell you by what 
authority I am doing these things." 

THE VINEYARD AND HUSBANIJMEN. 

9 And lie began to speak to the people 
this parable: "A man planted a vineyard 
and let it out to husbandmen, and went 
abroad for a long time, 10 And, at the 
season, he sent to the husbandmen a serv 
ant, that they should give him of the fruit 
of the vineyard; but the husbandmen, 
beating hhn^ sent him away empty. 

11 "And he sent still another servant; 
and him also, having beaten and dishon- 
ored, they sent away empty. 

12 "And he sent still a third; and they, 
having wounded this one, cast him out. 

13 "And the lord of the vineyard said, 
'What shall I do? I will send my son, 
the beloved; perhaps they will reverence 
him.'^^ 

14 "But, seeing him, the husbandmen 
were reasoning one with another, saying, 
'This is the heir; let us kill him, that the 
inheritance may become ours.' 15 And, 
having thrust him forth out of the vine- 
yard, they slew Idui. What, therefore, 
will the lord of the vineyard do to them? 
16 He will come and destroy these hus- 
bandmen, and give the vineyard to others." 
And, having heard it^ they said, "May it 
not be!" 17 And He, looking vipon them, 
said, "What, then, is this that has been 
written? 'A stone which the builders re- 
jected, the same became a head of the cor- 
ner.' 

18 " Every one who falls on that stone 
shall be broken to pieces; but on whomso- 
ever it shall fall, it will scatter him as 
dust!" 

19 And-the scribes and the high priests 
sought to lay hands on Him in that very 
hour; and they feared the people; for they 
knew that He spake the parable against 
them. 

KEaARDING TRIBUTE TO C^SAR. 

20 And, watching Hlm^ they sent forth 
spies, feigning themselves to be righteous, 
that they might take hold of His speech, 
so as to deliver Him up to the rule and the 



authority of the governor. 21 And they ] 

asked Him, saying, "Teacher, we know 
that Thou sayest and teachest rightly, and ' 

regardest no person, ^ but teachest the way 
of God in truth. 22 Is it lawful for us to 
give tribute to Caesar or not?" 

23 But, perceiving their craftiness. He 
said to them, 21 "Show Me a denary. 
Whose image and inscription is it ? " And, 
answering; they said, "Caesar's." 

25 And He said to them, "Then, render 
to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and 
to God the things that are God's." 

26 And they were not able to lay hold 
of any saying of His before the people; 
and, marvelling at His answer, they were 
silent. 

WHOSE WIFE IN THE RESURRECTION? 

27 And some of the Sadducees, who say 
that there is no resurrection, coming near, 
asked Him, 28 saying, "Teacher, Moses 
wrote for us, 'If any one's brother die, 
having a wife, and he be childless, that 
his brother should take the wife, and raise 
up seed to his brother.' 29 There were, 
therefore, seven brothers; and the first, 
taking a wife, died childless. 30 And the 
second, and the third, took her; 31 and, 
in like manner also, the seven left no chil- 
dren, and died. 32 At last the woman 
also died. 33 In the resurrection, there- 
fore, whose wife of them does the woman 
become? for the seven had her as wife." 

34 And Jesus said to them, " The sons of 
this age marry and are given in marriage; 

35 but those accounted worthy to obtain 
that age, and the resurrection from the 
dead, neither marry, nor are given in 
marriage; 36 for neither can they die any 
more; for they are equal to the angels, 
and are sons of God, being sons of the 
resurrection. 37 But that the dead are 
raised, even Moses showed at the 'Bush,' 
when he calls the Lord 'The God of Abra- 
ham, the God of Isaac, and the God of 
Jacob.' 38 Now He is not a God of the 
dead, but of the living; for all live to 
Him." 



2 Gr. Face. 



NOTES ON CHAPTER XX. 
9-18 Parable of the vineyard; Matt. 21 :33-41. 
20-26 Tribute to Caesar; Matt. 22:15-23. 
27-38 The Sadducees' question about the resurrection an- 
swered: Matt. 22:23-32; Mark 12:18-27. 
34 The sons of this age; the men of the world. 
36 Equal to the angels; in immortality anJ bliss. And 



the full overcomcrs. it appears, will ho superior to angels, 
(see I Cor. 6:3). 

38 Not a God of the dead, but of the Uvina; this sweeps 
away the doctrine of soul-sleepers. For all live to Sim; 
they are dead to us, hut alive to God; and He is still their 
God:' 



LUKE 



117 



39 And some of the scribes, answering, 
said, "Teacher, Thou speakest well;" 40 
for no longer were they daring to question 
Him. 

David's son, and David's lord. 

41 And He said to them, " How say they 
that the Christ is David's Son? 42 For 
David himself says in the book of Psalms, 
'The Lord said to my Lord, Sit Thou on 
My right hand, 43 until I make Thy 
enemies a footstool of Thy feet.' 44 



David, therefore, calls Him Lord; and 
how is He his Son?" 

THE SCRIBES DENOUNCED. 

45 And, while all the people were hear- 
ing. He said to the disciples, 46 "Beware 
of the scribes, who wish to walk about in 
long robes, and love salutations in the 
marketplaces, and first seats in the syna- 
gogues, and first places at feasts; 47 who 
devour the houses of widows; and, for a 
pretense, make long prayers. These shall 
receive greater condemnation." 



40 No longer were they darina to Question Him; His an 
swer was so complete and overwhelming, that it left the 
Sadducces indisposed to ask Him any further question. 



41-44 Christ the Son of David, and David's Lord; Matt. 
22:41-46. 
45-47 He denounces the scribes: Matt. 23:1-33. 



CHAPTER XXI. 



THE "WIDOW'S MITES. 



1 And, looking up. He saw the rich 
casting their gifts into the treasury. 2 
And He saw a certain poor widow casting 
in thither two mites. 3 And He said, 
" Truly I say to you, this poor widow cast 
i/i more than the.iy all; 4 for all these, out 
of their superabundance, cast into the gifts 
but she, out of her poverty, cast in all the 
living that she had." 

THE OVERTHROW OF JERUSALEM FORE- 
TOLD, AND HIS COMING. 

5 And, as some were speaking about the 
temple, " With what beautiful stones and 
offerings it has been adorned," He said, 
6 "As to these things which ye are looking 
upon, the days will come, in which there 
will not be left here a stone upon a stone, 
which will not be thrown down." 7 And 
they asked Him, saying, " Teacher, when 
therefore, will these things be, and what 
is the sign, when all these things are about 
to come to pass?" 

8 And He said, "Take heed that ye be 
not led astraj-; for many will come in My 



name, saying, 'I am Ile,^ and, 'The season 
has drawn near ! ' Go not after them. 9 
And, when ye hear of wars and tumults, 
be not terrified; for these things must first 
come to pass; but the end is not straight- 
way." 10 Then He said to them, "Nation 
will rise against nation, and kingdom 
against kingdom; 11 and there will be 
great earthquakes, and, in various places, 
famines and pestilences; and there will be 
fearful sights and great signs from heaven. 
12 And, before all these things, they will 
lay their hands on you, and persecute you, 
delivering yoio up into the synagogues and 
prisons, being brought before kings and 
governors for My name's sake. 13 It shall 
result to you for a testimony. 14 Settle 
^Y, therefore, in your hearts, not to medi- 
tate beforehand hovj to make a defense; 
15 for I will give you a mouth, and wisdom 
which all your adversaries shall not be able 
to Avithstand or gainsay. 16 But ye will 
be delivered up even by parents, and 
brothers, and kindred, and friends; and 
they will put some of you to death. 17 
And ye will be hated by all for My name's 
sake. 18 And a hair of your head shall in 
no wise perish. 19 In your patience pos- 
sess ye your souls. 



NOTES ON CHAPTER XXI. 

1-4 The widow's two mites; Mark 12:41-44. 

5-24 Destruction of Jerusalem foretold; Matt. 24:1-22. 
See notes on Matt. 24. 

5 Beautiful stones; large and beautiful stones. Offe?-- 
ings; donations that had been received and suspended, 
probably, in different parts of the temple. 

11 Fearful sights and great signs; Josephus (Book VI) 
tells of such sights and signs that were witnessed during 
the siege of Jerusalem. A. D.. 70; but. no doubt, much 
more fearful sights— because world-wide — will take place 
during the tribulation, (Rev. chs. 6-11, inclusive; executed 
from chs. 13-19). That Jerusalem will have a fearful time 
during the tribulation, (see Zech. 14:1-4). 



13 It shall result to you for a testimony; it will afford 
you an opportunity to testify to the Gospel before kings 
and rulers. (Matt. 24:14; Mark 13:9). 

15 A mouth and wisdom; ability to speak, so as to stop 
the mouths of all gainsayers. 

18 Jfot a hair of your head shall perish; no harm will 
come to you, even if you lose your lite for My sake, (Rom. 
8:28; I Cor. 3:21-23; I Pet. 3:13). 

19 In your patience possess ye your souls; in your en- 
durance, or by your endurance, save ye your souls. "He 
that endures to the end. the same shall be saved," (Matt. 
24:13). 



118 



LUKE 



20 " But when ye see Jerusalem encom- 
passed by armies, then know that her deso- 
lation has drawn near. 21 Then let those 
in JudiBa flee into the mountains; and let 
those in the midst of it depart; and let 
not those in the country enter therein; 22 
because these are days of vengeance, that 
all the things written may be fulfilled. 23 
"Woe to the women with child, and to those 
giving suck, in those days; for there will 
be great distress on the land, and wrath to 
this people. 24 And they will fall by the 
edge^ of the sword, and will be led away 
captive into all the nations; and Jerusalem 
will be trodden down by gentiles, until the 
times of the gentiles are fulfilled. 25 And 
there will be signs in sun, and moon, 
and stars; and on the earth distress of 
nations, with perplexity for the roaring of 
the sea and billows; 26 men fainting for 
fear and for expectation of the things com- 
ing upon the inhabited earth; for the pow- 
ers of the heavens will be shaken. 27 And 
then will they see the Son of Man coming 
in a cloud, with power and great glory. 
28 And, when these things begin to come 
to pass, lookup, and lift up your heads; 
becaiise your redemption is drawing near." 



1 Gr. Mouth. 



THE BUDDING OF THE FIG TREE. 

29 And He spake a parable to them: 
" Behold the fig tree and all the trees; 30 
when they now shoot forth, beholding ^'#, 
ye know of yourselves that already the 
summer is near. 31 So also ye, when ye 
see these things coming to pass, know that 
the Kingdom of God is near. 32 Verily I 
say to you, this generation will in no wise 
pass away, till all come to pass. 33 The 
heaven and the earth will pass away; but 
My words shall in no wise pass away. 

34 "But take heed to yourselves, lest at 
any time your hearts be weighed down 
with gluttony and drunkenness, and anx- 
ieties pertaining to life, and that day come 
upon you suddenly as a snare; 35 for so 
it will come upon all those dwelling upon 
the face of all the earth. 36 But watch ye 
at every season, praying that ye may have 
full strength to escape all these things 
th-at are about to come to pass, and to 
stand before the Son of Man." 

37 And He was, during the days, in the 
temple, teaching; and, during the nights, 
going forth. He was wont to lodge in the 
mount which is called Olives. 38 And all 
the people were coming to Him early in 
the morning, in the temple, to hear Him. 



24 By the edge of the sword: it is said tbat one million 
and one hundred thousand Jews were killed; and ninety- 
seven thousand were carried into captivity. Trodden down 
by gentiles; this has been done by the Romans, Saracens. 
Mamelulces, Franks, and Turks; the latter having held 
possession of Palestine for about 1 .260 years. The times of 
the gentiles he fulfilled; the times of gentile domination 
shall come to an end. 

25-33 Signs of Christ's coming; see notes on Matt. 
24:29-35. 

25 Roaring of sea and 'billow; referring, especially, to the 



great disturbance of the earth and the heavens during the 
latter part of the tribulation period. 

26 The powers of Vie heavens; referring. i>robabIy, to 
the sun, moon, and stars. 

31-36 Warning to be ready for Christ's coming; Matt. 
24:36-51. 

36 This verse with Rev. 3:10, suggests in what way one 
may escape all the tribulation— i. e., by being ready for the 
rapture. 

37, 38 These verses show how Christ spent His last days 
before His crucifixion. 



CHAPTER XXII. 

JUDAS AGREEING TO BETRAY JESUS. 

1 Now the feast of unleavened bread 
which is called the Passover, was drawing 
near; 2 and the high priests and scribes 
were seeking how they might put Him to 
death; for they were fearing the people. 

3 And Satan entered into Judas, the 
one called Iscariot, being of the number 
of the twelve; 4 and, departing, he con- 

NOTES ON CHAPTER XXII. 

1 The feast of unleavened bread; the Passover; so called, 
because, during this feast, they used nothing that had 
leaven in it, (Matt. 26:2, 17). 

3 Satan entered into Judas; controlling him. and lead 
ing him to betray Jesus. 



suited with the high priests and captains, 
how he might deliver Him up to them. 5 
And they were glad, and covenanted to 
give him money. 6 And he agreed, and 
was seeking an opportunity to deliver Him 
up to them, in the absence of a multitude.^ 

THE LAST SUPPER. 

7 And the day of unleavened bread 
came, on which the passover must be sac- 



1 Or, without tumult. 

4-13 Judas sells Christ. The Passover; Matt. 26:U-19. 

4 Captains; that had command of the guard that kept 
the temple. 

7 The passover must be sacrificed; the lamb that -was 
eaten must be slain, and other things prepared for the 
feast ■' 



LUKE 



119 



rificed. 8 And He sent Peter and John, 
saying, "Going forth, make ready for us 
the passover, that we may eat." 9 And 
they said to Him, " Where dost Thou wish 
that we make ready?" 10 And He said 
to them, "Beliold, when ye have entered 
into the city, there will meet you a man 
bearing a pitcher of water; follow him into 
the house into which he enters. 11 And 
ye shall say to the master of the house, 
The Teaclier saith to you. Where is the 
guest-chamber, where I may eat the pass- 
over with My disciples?' 12 And he will 
show you a large upper room furnished, 
there make ready." 13 And, going away, 
they found as He had said to them; and 
they made ready the passover. 14 And, 
when the hour came. He reclined at table, 
and His apostles with Him. 15 And He 
said to them, "With desire I desired to 
•eat this passover with you before I suffer; 
16 for I say to you, I will in no wise eat 
it, until it be fulfilled in the Kingdom of 
God." 

17 And, having taken a cup, and giving 
thanks, He said, "Take this, and share it 
among yourselves; 18 for I say to you 
that I will in no wise drink, henceforth 
of the product of the vine, until the King- 
dom of God shall come." -19 And, taking 
bread, and giving thanks. He broke, and 
gave to them, saying, "This is My body, 
which is given for you; this do in remem 
brance of Me." 20 And the cup, in like 
manner, after supping, saying, "This cup is 
the new covenant in My blood, which, in 
your behalf, is being poured out. 21 But, 
l)ehold, the hand of him who is betraying Me 
is with Me on the table; 22 because the 



Son of Man, indeed, is going according as 
it has been determined; but woe to that 
man through whom He is betrayedl" 23 
And they began to inquire together among 
themselves, which of them it was, who 
was about to perpetrate this thing. 

24 And there arose also a contention 
among them as to which of them seemed 
to be greatest.^ 25 But He said to them, 
'The kings of the gentiles exercise lord- 
ship over them; and those having author- 
ty over them are called 'Benefactors.' 
26 But ye are not so; but let the greater 
among you become as the younger, and he 

ho leads as he who serves. 27 For who 
is greater, he who reclines at table, or he 
who serves? Is not he who reclines? But 
I am in the midst of you as One Who 
serveth. 28 But ye are they who have 
remained with Me in my temptations; 29 
and I appoint to you, as My Father ap- 
pointed to Me, a Kingdom, 30 that ye 
may eat and drink at My table in My 
Kingdom; and ye shall sit on thrones, 
judging the twelve tribes of Israel. 

31 " Simon, Simon, behold, Satan asked 
for you, to sift you as the wheat; 32 but 
I prayed for you, that your faith fail not; 
and, when once you have turned again, 
establish your brethren." 

33 And he said to Him, "Lord, I am 
ready to go with Thee, both to prison and 
to death." 34: And He said, "I tell you, 
Peter, a cock will not crow to-day, until 
you thrice deny that you know Me." 

35 And He said to them, "When I sent 
you forth without purse, and wallet, and san- 
dals, did ye lack anything?" And they 



2 Gr. Greater. 



14 When the hour came: tlie hour tor eating the pi 
■over. 

15 With desire I desired; I greatly desired. 

16 XTntil it he fulfilled in the Kingdom of God; until the 
true Paschal Lamb should be slain, and the Kingdom of God 
be ushered in— which is the Kingdom ot Grace. 

17 Cup; the cup used in celebrating the Passover. 

18 Drink of the xyroduct of the vine; see note on Matt, 
26:29. 

19, 20 The Lord's Supper; Matt. 26:23-30. 

81-23 These verses contain a part of what was said while 
they were eating the passover. 

24 Greatest; literally, greater; that is, greater than any 
other one, when compared separately; and, hence, greatest 
■of all. What a criticism on humanity that, at an hou 
like this, the disciples should have been disputing about 
■who of them should have the most exalted position in the 
Kingdom that they imagined Jesus was about to establish 
Tossibly, the primary design in washing the disciples' feet 
-was to rebuke their selfish ambitions, and to give them an 



object lesson illustrative ot true greatness. See John 13: 
4-17. 

25 Benefactors; an honorary title applied to earthly 
rulers— especially to the kings of Egypt and Syria. 

28-30 The reference here is to His Millennial reign, as, 
at the same time, they are to sit on thrones, judging the 
twelve tribes of Israel. 

31 Satan asked for you; OT clavaieCi jo\x. That "he might 
sift you, as wheat; that through fearful trials he would 
bring upon him and the other apostles, he might shake 
their faith in Christ, and lead them to abandon Him. 

32 I prayed for you; for Peter especially, though He 
prayed for them all. Fail not; utterly give way. Having 
turned again; from his sin of denying his Lord— which 
Christ foresaw Peter would do. 

33. 34 Peter's denial foretold; Matt. 26:33-35. 

35 TT7ie»/se?i<j/0M,- Matt. 10:9, 10. Did yelack anything f; 
did ye suffer any need? Jesus will still supply the needs ot 
those whom He sends out in His service, it they are faith- 
ful to Him in all things. 



120 



LUKE 



said, "Nothing." 36 And He said to 
them, "But now let him wlio has a purse 
take it, and liliewise a wallet; and let him 
who has not a sword sell his garment, and 
buy one. 37 For 1 say to you, that that 
which has been written must be accom- 
plished in Me, 'And He was reckoned 
with lawless ones;' for that which relates 
to Me has an end." 38 And they said, 
"Lord, behold, here are two swords." 
And He said to them, "It is enough." 

THE AGONY IN THE GARDEN. 

39 And, going out. He went, according 
to nis custom, to the mount of Olives; 
and the disciples also followed Him; 40 
and, having come to the place. He said to 
them, "Pray, that ye enter not into temp- 
tation." 41 And He was parted from 
them about a stone's throw; and, kneeling 
down. He prayed, 42 saying, "Father, 
if Thou art willing, remove this cup from 
Me; nevertheless, not My will, but Thine, 
be done." 43 And there appeared to Him 
an angel from Heaven, strengthening Him. 
44 And, being in an agony. He was pray- 
ing more earnestly. And His sweat be- 
came, as it were, large drops of blood 
falling down upon the ground! 45 And, 
arising from prayer, and coming to the 
disciples. He found them sleeping for 
grief, 46 and said to them, "Why are ye 
sleeping? Rising up, pray, that ye enter 
not into temptation." 

47 Wliile He was yet speaking, behold, 
a multitude, and he who is called Judas, 
one of the twelve, was coming before 
them; and he drew near to Jesus to kiss 
Him. 48 And Jesus said to him, "Judas, 
do you betray the Son of Man with a 
kiss?" 

49 And those about Him, seeing what 
was about to follow, said, "Lord, shall we 
sniite with the sword?" 50 And a cer- 
tain one of them smote the servant of the 
high priest, and struck off his right ear. 



51 But Jesus, answering, said, "Suffer ye 
thus far." And, touching the ear. He 
healed him. 

52 And Jesus said to the high priests 
and captains of the temple and elders, 
who came up against Him, "Did ye 
come out as against a robber, with swords 
I clubs? 63 When I was daily with 
you in the temple, ye stretched not forth 
your hands against Me; but this is your 
hour, and the power of darkness." 
Peter's denial. 

54 And, seizing Him, they led Him 
away, and brought Him into the house of 
the high priest. But Peter was following 
afar off. 

55 And, they having kindled a fire in 
the midst of the court, and having sat 
down together, Peter was sitting in the 
midst of them. 56 And a certain maid, 
seeing him sitting by the light, and look- 
ing intently at him, said, "This man was 
with Him." 57 But he denied, saying, 
"I do not know Him, woman." 58 And, 
after a little while, another, seeing him, 
said, "You also are one of them." But 
Peter said, "Man, I am not." 59 And, 
about one hour having intervened, a cer- 
tain other was confidently insisting, say- 
ing, "Of a truth this one also was with 
Him; for he also is a Galilaean." 60 But 
Peter said, "Man, I know not what you 
are saying." And immediately, while he 
was yet speaking, a cock crowed. 61 
And, turning, the Lord looked upon Peter; 
and Peter remembered the word of the 
Lord, how He said to him, "Before a 
cock shall crow to-day, you will thrice deny 
Me." 62 And, going forth without, he 
wept bitterly. 

JESUS IS MOCKED, AND TAKEN BEFORE THE 
JEWISH COUNCIL. 

63 And the men who were holding 
Jesus were mocking Him, beating Him; 
64 and, blindfolding Him, they were ques- 



. ; 37 , That that which has been written; Isa. 53:12. 

3S It is enouah; enougli of the kind. The sword that 
Fetfix had. furnished Jesus an opportunity to perform His 
last miracle hetore His crucifixion, in healing the ear of 
iMalchus. , 

39-46 His agony in the garden; Matt. 26:30-46. 

43 Strengihening Eim; in His humanity— which felt the 
great pressure of the world's guilt laid on Him. (Isa. 53:6). 

47-71 Christ betrayed; Matt. 26:47-75. 

48 , With a i-w«; ordinarily a token of affection, but here 
it -was given to designate Jesus to. the soldiers. 



51 Suffer ye thus far; addressed to the officer of the 
guard; and. probably, meaning that Jesus wished the lib- 
erty to heal the ear of Malchus; or, possibly. He meant it 
as an apology for the zeal of His disciples in their momen- 
tary attempt to rescue Him from arrest. 

60 Man, I know not what you are saying; Matthew and 
Mark say that a maid in the second instance charged Peter 
with being one of the followers of Jesus; but he here an- 
swers a man. It may be that the, maid first made the 
charge, and then a man took it up. This would explain the 
discrepancy. . -. 



LUKE 



121 



tioning Ilim, saying, "Prophesy who ho 
is that smote Thee." 65 And many other 
things they said against Him, reviling 
Him. 

66 And, when it was day, the eldersliip 
of the people was gathered together, both 
high priests and scribes; and they led Him 
away into their Sanhedrin,' saying, 67 
"If Thou art the Christ, tell us." But 
He said to them, "If I tell you, ye will 



not believe. 68 And, if I question you, 
ye will not answer. 69 But henceforth 
the Son of Man will be seated at the right 
hand of the power of God." 

70 And they all said, "Art Thou, there- 
fore, the Son of God?" And He said to 
them, "Ye say that I am." ^ 

71 And they said, " Why do we still have 
need of testimony? for we ourselves heard 
from His own mouth!" 



1 Or, council. 



2 Or. ye say it. because lam. 



CHAPTER XXIII. 

JESUS BEFORE PILATE AND HEROD. 

1 And the whole multitude of them, 
rising up, led Him before Pilate. 2 And 
they began to accuse Him, saying, "We 
found This Man perverting our nation, 
and forbidding to give tribute to Caesar, 
and saying that He Himself is Christ' a 
King!" 3 And Pilate asked Him, saying, 
"Art Thou the King of the Jews?" And 
He, answering, said to him. " You say /f ." 
4 And Pilate said to the high priests and 
to the multitudes, "I find no fault in This 
Man." 5 But they were the more urgent, 
saying, "He stir re th up the people, teach- 
ing throughout the whole of Judfea, and 
beginning from Galilee even to this place." 
6 But Pilate, hearing if, asked if the Man 
were a Galilsean. 7 And, learning that He 
was of Herod's jurisdiction, he sent Him 
up to Herod, who also was in Jerusalem 
in these days. 

8 Now Herod, seeing Jesus, rejoiced 
exceedingly; for he was wishing for a 
long time to see Him, because he had 
heard concerning Him; and he was hbpin 
to see some sign wrought by Him. 9 And 



he kept questioning Him in many words; 
but He answered him nothing. 

10 And tlie high priests and the scribes 
stood, vehemently accusing Him. 11 And 
Herod with his soldiers, having set Him 
at naught, and having mocked Him, hav- 
ing thrown over Him a goi'geous robe, 
sent Him back to Pilate. 12 And Herod 
and Pilate became friends with each other 
on that day; for before they were at en- 
mity between themselves. 

13 And Pilate, calling together the 
high priests and the rulers and the peo- 
ple, 14 said to them, "Ye brought to 
me This Man as One perverting the peo- 
ple; and, behold, I, having examined Him 
before you, found no fault in This Man 
regarding those things of which ye accuse 
Him; 15 no, nor yet Herod; for he sent 
Him back to us; and, behold, nothing 
worthy of death has been done by Him. 
16 Chastising Hini, therefore, I will re- 
lease Him.""' 18 But they cried out again 
with all the multitude, saying, "Away 
with Him! and release to us Barabbas!" — 
19 one who, indeed, because of a certain 
insurrection made in the city, and of mur- 
der, was cast into prison. 



1 Or, an anninie.d king. 



*Some Mss. insert v. 17: Now ha must needs release 
le person to them at the feast. 



NOTES ON CHAPTER XXIII. 
1-5 Christ hrought hffore Pilate; Matt. 27:1, 2. 11-18. 

2 Perverting nur nation; note the artfulness of the ex 
presslon our nation, as it they were very loyal to the 
Roman government 1 They charge that He was trying to 
subvert Roman authority, and to prevent the people from 
paying tribute to Cffisar. 

3 Toit say it; Jesus owned that He was King of the Jews 
but He explained to Pilate that His Kingdom was not a 
visible, worldly institution ; and Pilate saw nothing in the 
charges made against Jesus by the Jews. See John 
36, 37. 

5 He stirretli up the people; exciting them to tumults. 
This was probably said to establish the charge of pervert- 
ing the nation, (v. 2). 

7 He sent Him to Herod; Pilate sought to get rid of the 



responsibility, by turning over the case to Herod. This 
was the Herod that had John beheaded. 

11 Set Him at naught: heaping contempt upon Him. 

12 Herod and Pilate became friends; through the court- 
esy shown to each other in the trial of Jesus, they become 
."ricnds. The Devil's people can unite against Christ and 
His people, when there is any prospect of doing them 
harm. 

15 Pilate seems disposed to vindicate Jesus from all 
guilt, and uses the fact that Herod sent Jesus back to-him, 
as a proof that Herod acquitted Him, 

16 C/iastisin,(7 Him; scourging, or whipping Him. I will 
release Him; why should Pilate propose to whip Jesus, if 
he blieved Him innocent ? Possibly, he thought that whip- 
ping Jesus might appease the anger of the Jews. 

18-25 C/irist condemned; Matt. g7:20-3a 



122 



LUKE 



20 And again Pilate called to them, 
wishing to release Jesus. 21 But they 
kept calling out, saying, "Crucify Him!" 
" Crucify Him!" 22 But he said to them 
the third time, "Why, what evil did This 
Man do? I found in Him nothing worthy 
of death. Chastising Him, therefore, I 
will release Him." 

23 But they were urgent, with loud 
voices, asking that He might be crucified. 
And their voices prevailed. 24 And Pi- 
late gave judgment that their request 
should be executed; 25 and he released 
him who, because of insurrection and mur- 
der, had been cast into prison, for whom 
they were asking; but he delivered up 
Jesus to their will. 

THE CRUCIFIXION. 

26 And, when they led Him away, lay- 
ing hold of one Simon a Cyrenian, coming 
from the country, they laid on him the 
cross, to bear it after Jesus. 

27 And there was following Him a great 
multitude of people, and of women, who 
bewailed and lamented Him. 28 But, 
turning towards them, Jesus said, "Daugh- 
ters of Jerusalem, weep not for Me; but 
weep for yourselves, and for your chil- 
dren; 29 for, behold, the days are com- 
ing in which they will say, 'Happy the 
barren, and the wombs which bore not, 
and breasts tliat gave not suck.' 30 Then 
Avill they begin to say to the mountains, 
'Fall on us;' and to the hills, 'Cover us;' 
31 for, if they do these things in the 
green tree, what will they do in the dead ? " 

82 And there were being led two others 
also, malefactors, with Him to be put to 
death. 

33 And, when they came to the place 
that is called '"''The Skull," there they cruci- 
fied Him, and the malefactors; one, in- 
deed, on the right hand, and the other on 
the left. 34 And Jesus said, "Father, 



forgive them; for they know not what 
they do!" And, dividing His garments 
among them^ they cast lots. 35 And the 
people stood beholding. And the rulers 
also were scoffing at Him, saying, "He 
saved others; "let Him save Himself! if 
This is the Christ of God, the Chosen!" 
36 And the soldiers also were mocking 
Him, coming near, and offering Him vin- 
egar, 37 and saying, "If Thou art the 
King of the Jews, save Thyself! " 38 And 
there was also an inscription over Him, 
"THE KING OF THE JEWS, THIS!" 

39 And one of the suspended malefac- 
tors kept reviling Him, saying, "Art not 
Thou the Christ? Save Thyself and us!" 
40 But the other, answering, and, rebuk- 
ing him, said, "Do you not fear God, see- 
ing that you are in the same condemna- 
tion? 41 and we, indeed, righteously; 
for we are receiving the due reward of 
our deeds; but This Man did nothing 
amiss." 42 And he said, " Jesus, remem- 
ber me, when Thou comest in Thy King- 
dom." 43 And He said to him, "Verily I 
say to you, "To-day you shall be with Me 
in Paradise." 

44 And it was already about the sixth 
hour, and darkness came over the whole 
land till the ninth hour, 45 the sun's 
light failing. And the veil of the temple 
was rent in the midst. 46 And, crying 
with a loud voice, Jesus said, "Father, 
into Thy hands J commit My spirit." 
And, having said this, He expired. 47 
And the centurion, beholding what took 
place, glorified God, saying, "Truly This 
was a righteous Man!" 

48 And all the multitudes, coming to- 
gether to this sight, viewing the things 
that took place, were returning, smiting 
^'^^^^V breasts. 49 And all those acquainted 
with Him were standing afar off, and the 
women who followed with Him from Gal- 
ilee, seeing these things. 



a Cyrenian; Matt. 27:32. 

28 TFeep for yourselves and for your children; because of 
the great calamities soon to come upon them. 

29 Happy the barren; better to have no children than to 
iave them exposed to such perils as would come upon them, 

30 FaZl on Its; to shelter us from the -wrath of God. See 
Rev. 6:1& 

31 If they do these th ings in the green tree; this was a pro 
-verb. The meaning is. if the perfectly innocent Son of 
God comes to suffer the death of the cross, what would fal 
to the lot of His murderers! 

32 MaWactors; the two thieves; Matt. 27:38. 



33-49 The crucifixion: Matt. 27:33-56. 

34 Father, forgive them; this prayer for the pardon of 
His murderers is a strong proof of His divinity. As the 
Spirit of Jesus controls our lives, we will be able to offer a 
similar prayer, under similar conditions. 

39 One of the malefactors ; Matthew and Mark represent 
both of the malefactors as reviling Jesus. One repented, 
however, and was saved. 

42 When Thou comest in Thy Kingdom; the dying thief 
seems to have had a vision of Christ's coming glory, and 
he requests to be remembered then. Jesus assures Mm 
that on that very day he would be with Him in Paradise. 

43 Paradise; the place of bliss, the Home of the saved. 



LUKE 



123 



HIS BURIAL. 

50 And, behold, a man, Joseph by name, 
who was a councillor, a good and right- 
eous man 51 (the same had not consented 
to their plan and deed), from Arimathaea, 
a city of the Jews, who was waiting for 
the Kingdom of God: 52 the same, go- 
ing to Pilate, asked for the body of Jesus. 
53 And,, taking it down, he wrapped it in 



fine linen, and placed Him in a tomb, 
hewn in a stone, where no one was yet 
laid. 54 And it was a day of Prepara- 
tion, and a sabbath was approaching. 55 
And the women who had accompanied Him 
out of Galilee, following after, beheld the 
tomb, and how His body was laid. 56 
And, returning, they prepared spices and 
perfumes; and, on the sabbath they rested 
according to the commandment. 



50-56 Chriat's burial; Matt. 27:57-60. 

60,51 4coMJiCii!oJvamemberof the Jewish council. Had 
-not consented to their plan and deed; in condemning Jesus 
to death, and killing Him. Who was waiting for the King- 
dom of Ood: the reign of Christ Jesus as Messiah. 



54 Day of Preparation; the preparation for keeping a 
sabbath. See note on Matt. 27:62. This was not, it is be- 
lieved, the seventh day, but a day of great importance in 
that week of rest days. 



CHAPTER XXIV. 



THE KESURRECTION. 



1 But, on the first day of the week,^ at 
early dawn, they came to the tomb, bring- 
ing the spices which they prepared. 2 And 
they found the stone rolled away from the 
tomb; 3 and, entering, they found not the 
body of the Lord Jesus. 

4 And it came to pass, while they were 
perplexed about this, behold, also two men 
stood near them in dazzling apparel. 5 
And, as they became afraid, and were bow- 
ing their faces to the earth, they said to 
them, "Why are ye seeking the Living 
among the dead? 6 He is not here, but 
was raised. Remember how He spake to 
you, being yet in Galilee, 7 saying, ' The 
Son of Man must be delivered up into the 
hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and 
on the third day rise again,' " 8 And they 
remembered His words; 9 and, returning 
from the tomb, they reported all these 
things to the eleven and to all the rest. 10 
[Now they were Mary Magdalene, and Jo- 
ana, and Mary the mother of James, and 
the rest of the women with them were tell- 
ing these things to the apostles. 11 And 
these words appeared in their view as idle 
talk; and they were disbelieving them. 12 
But Peter, rising up, ran to the tomb; and, 
stooping down to look in, he sees the linen 



1 Gr. Of the sabbaths. 



bandages alone, and he departed to his 
home, wondering at what had happened. 

13 And, behold, two of them that very 
day were journeying to a village, the name 
of which was Emmaus, distant sixty fur- 
longs from Jerusalem. 14 And they were 
conversing with each other concerning all 
these things that had happened. 15 And 
it came to pass, while they were convers- 
ing and reasoning together, that Jesus 
Himself, drawing near, was journeying 
with them; 16 but their eyes were holden 
that they should not recognize Him. 

17 And He said to them, "What words 
are these which ye are exchanging one 
with another, as ye walk?" And they 
stood still, with sad faces. 18 And one of 
them, Cleopasbyname, said to Him, "Art 
Thou only a Stranger in Jerusalem, and 
knowest not the things that came to pass 
there in these days?" 19 And He said 
to them, "What things?" And they said 
to Him, "The things concerning Jesus the 
Nazarene, who was a Prophet, mighty in 
deed and word, before God and all the 
people; 20 and how the high priests and 
our rulers delivered Him up to the sen- 
tence of death, and crucified Him. 21 
But we were hoping that it was He Who 
was about to redeem Israel; yea, indeed, 
and besides all these things, it is now the 
third day since these things came to pass. 
22 Moreover, also, certain women of our 
company astonished us, having been early 



NOTES ON CHAPTER XXIV. 

1-18 The resurrection; Matt. 28:1-10. 

i Two men; angels appearing as men; Matthew and 
Mark mention but one. These statements are not contra- 
^ctory, but it proves that they did not write in concert. 

13 Distant sixty furlongs from Jerusalem; nearly seven 
:Englisb miles. 



16 Their eyes were holden; prevented from discovering 
Who He was. 

18 Cleopas ; supposed to be Alpheus, the father of James 
the less and Jude. 

21 Redeem Israel; they were hoping for a temporal 
kingdom, and freedom from bondage to the Roman gov- 
ernment, (Acts 1:6). 



124 



LUKE 



at the tomb; 23 and, not finding His 
body, they came, saying that they had 
seen a vision of angels, who said that He 
was alive! 24 And some of those with us 
went away to the tomb, and found it even 
so as the women said; but Him they saw 
not." 

25 And He said to them, "O inconsid- 
erate and slow in heart to believe in all 
that the prophets spake! 26 Was it not 
nscessary that the Christ should suffer 
these things, and enter into His glory?" 
27 And, beginning from Moses and from 
all the prophets. He thoroughly inter- 
preted to them, in all the Scriptures, the 
things concerning Himself. 

28 And they drew near to the village 
whither they were going; and He acted as 
if He would go further. 29 And they 
constrained Him, saying, "Abide with us; 
because it is toward evening, and the day 
has already declined." And He went in to 
abide with them. 30 And it came to pass, 
as He was reclining at table with them, 
that, taking the bread. He blessed it; and, 
breaking. He was giving to them; 31 
and their eyes were opened, and they 
clearly recognized Him; and He vanished 
from them. 

32 And they said one to another, ' ' Was 
not our heart burning within us, as He 
was talking with us in the way, as He was 
opening the Scriptures to us ! " 

33 And, rising up that same hour, they 
returned to Jerusalem; and they found 
the eleven gathered together, and those 



with them, 34 saying, "Truly the Lord 
arose, and appeared to Simon." 35 And 
they were narrating the things that tran- 
spired in the way, and how He was made 
known to them in the breaking of the 
bread. 

36 Now, as they were telling these 
things, He Himself stood in the midst of 
them, and saith to them, "Peace he to 
you 1 " 37 But, being terrified and fright- 
ened, they were supposing that they were 
beholding a spirit." 38 And He said to 
them, "Why are ye troubled? and where- 
fore do questionings arise in your heart? 
39 See My hands and My feet, that it is I 
Myself; handle Me, and see; because a 
spirit does not have flesh and bones, as ye , 
behold Me having." 40 And, saying this, 
He showed them His hands and His feet. 
41 And, while they still disbeli'feved for joy, 
and marvelled. He said to them, ' ' Have ye 
here anything to eat? " 42 And they gave 
Hina a piece of a broiled fish; 43 and, tak- 
ing it. He ate before them. 

44 And He said to them, "These are 
My words which I spake to you, while be- 
ing yet with you: that all things must be 
fulfilled, that have been written in the 
law of Moses, and the prophets, and the 
Psalms, concerning Me." 45 Then He 
opened their mind, that they might un- 
derstand the Scriptures; 46 and He said 
to them, "Thus it'has been writte-n, that 
the Christ should suffer, and rise from the 
dead on the third day, 47 and that re- 



25 Inconsiderate and slow in heart: the disciples seem 
to have been culpably indisposed to believe that Christ 
was to din, and not. for the present, to build up a visible 
Kingdom. Preconceived notions, tenaciously held, are 
great barriers to the entrance of truth. 

28 Was it not nec€ssa7v : the plan of redemption contem- 
plated nothing less than the vicarious sufferings of Jesus: 
hence. His death was necessary to the execution ot this 
plan. See Dan. 9:26; Isa. 53:4-10. 

27 Segirining from Moses; or with the books Moses 
wrote— meaning the Pentateuch, or first five books of the 
Old Testament. The things concerning Himself; See Gen. 
3:15; 49:10; Num. 21:8. 9; Deut. 18:15. 18, 19; Isa. 9:6. 7; 



etc. 



28 He acted as if; seemed disposed to go on, till invited 
to stop with them. 

29 Co7istrained Him; by their earnest entreaties. Jesus 
does not force Himself upon His disciples, compelling them 
to entertain Him, but He requires, as the condition of His 
entering, that we shall open the door, (Rev, 3:20). 

30 Blessed it; asked the blessing of His Father upon it. 
and gave thanks for it. 

31 Their eyes were opened; the difficulties in the way of 
their recognizing Him were removed. 



32 Was not our h-eart hurning; glowing with the mighty 
love of God ! Opening the Scriptures to lis; made their true 
meaning plain. 

34 Simon; Simon Peter. 

36 Peace be to you ; this was a form of salutation, and an 
expression ot His good will towards them. 

38 Questionings; doubts as to Who He was. 

39 That it is I Myself; that I have risen from the dead— 
I. the same One Who was crucified. 

40 Showed them His hands and feet; John 20:27. 

41 Disbelieved for joy; the news seemed too good to be 
true ; and their joy became so intense, that, for the instant, 
they seemed unable really to believe it. 

43 He ate; this was additional proof of the reality of His 
resurrection. 

44 Law of Moses, the prophets, and Psalms; these com- 
prised the whole Scriptures of the Old Testament; which 
shows how Christ regarded the Book. There was no 
" higher criticism " in our Redeemer. 

45 Opened their mind; removed their ignorance, and 
save them divine illumination. 

46 Tliat the Christ should suffer, and rise; otherwise His 
I claim' to the Messiahship would have been unsustained. 



LUKE 



125 



pentance and remission of sins should be 
preached in His name to all the nations, 
beginning from Jerusalem. 48 Ye are 
witnesses of these things. 49 And, be- 
hold, I send forth the promise of My 
Father upon you; but abide ye in the 
city, until ye be clothed with power from 
on high." 



THE ASCENSION. 

50 And He led them as far as to Beth- 
any; and, lifting up His hands. He blessed 
them. 51 And it came to pass that, while 
He was blessing them. He parted from 
them, and was borne up into Heaven. 52 
And they, worshiping Him, returned to 
Jerusalem with great joy; 53 and were 
continually in the temple, blessing God. 



47 From Jerusalem; the place where He was crucified, 
and the home of His worst enemies. They were to have 
another chance. 

48 ^Vitnc!tsesof these things; His life, miracles, death, 
and resurrection on the third day; thus proving Him to be 
the true Messiah. 

49 The promise of My Father; His promise to give them 
the Holy Spirit. Joel2:28, 29; Acts8:16:21. As the apostles 
and early preachers were not prepared to preach the Gos- 
pel effectively until they had received the Gift of the Holy 



Spirit; so is it now. No amount of learning is any substi- 
tute for the Holy Spirit. Hence, every preacher should 
tarry, until, through the infilling Spirit, he is clothed with 
power from on high. (Acts 1 ;8). 

50 Bethany; a village on the side of mount Olivet, about 
two miles from Jerusalem. 

53 Continually inthe temple; till the day of Pentecost, 
when the promise in verse 49 was fulfilled to the apostles 
and disciples. Every Christian should have his own Pen- 



THE 



aOSI>EL ACCOKJDIlsrG TO JOHlSr. 



John's Gospel has much more to say about the divinity ot Jesus than all the other three evangelists. John was 
one of the three apostles who made up the " cabinet " of Jesus; Peter and James being the other two. These three 
witnessed the raising of Jairus' daughter. (Mark 5:37) ; the transfiguration, (Matt. 17:1) ; and the agony in the garden 
(Matt. 26:37). John is frequently called "the disciple whom Jesus loved." He occupied the place next to Jesus at the 
last passover. (John 13:23). 

John's Gospel comes last in the list, and was probably written after the destruction ot Jerusalem. His Gospel 
has comparatively little in common with the other Gospels. Matthew, Mark, and Liuke, were more concerned about 
the ministry ot Jesus in Galilee; while John had more to do with that in and near Jerusalem. 

The chief characteristic ot John's Gospel is seen in the tact that he gives a much fuller account of the discourses 
of Jesus in which He unfolds His Own divine person and office, together with the great possibility, on the part of the 
believer, of being indwelt by the Spirit, Son, and Father, (John 4:14; 14:17,20.21,23; 15:4,5; 17:23,26); in other words, 
John dwells more on the subjective knowledge of God, while the other evangelists deal with the objective knowledge of 
Him. This difference is radical, as it has to do with the highest development of Christian character. The others were 
concerned chiefly about salvation; but John, about the more abundant life. 

CONTENTS. 

II. Publicmanifestationof the Word. (1:18— XII:50). 1. (a) 
disciples, (1:35-51); (c) various miracles and signs in Je- 
rusalem and Judaea, (11:1— 111:36); inSamaria,- (IV:l-42); in Galilee, (IV:43-56); in Jerusalem, (V:l-47). 2. The wit- 
ness received and rejected; (a) after feeding the 5,000, (VI:60-71); (b) at the feast of the tabernacles, ( VII: 5, 30-32, 40- 
52; VIII:31-45; (c) at the feast of dedication, (IX:31-41; X : 19-21, 39-42) ; (d) conflicting opinions respecting Him and 
His ministry. (XII:l-50). III. His last discourse, or the revelation ot the Triune God to the "inner circle " ot dis- 
ciples; (a) the love ot Christ and ot His disciples, (XIII— XV); (b) the Comforter promised. (XIV); (c) His inter- 
cessory prayer, (XVII). IV. The manifestation of "^he word completed in His death and resurrection. (XVIII— XX) • 
(a) betrayal and double trial. (XVIII :1— XIX: 16) ; (b) crucifixion and burial, (XIX: 17-42); (c) His resurrection three 
times attested. (XX). V. Conclusion, or appendix, (XXI). 



joH]sr. 

CHAPTER I. 

1 In the beginning was the Word, and the 
Word was with God, and the Word was 
God. 2 The same was in the beginning 
with God. 3 All things were made Hhrough 
Him, and apart from Him was not even 
one thing made that has been made. 4 In 
Him was Life; and the Life was the light of 
men. 5 And the light shines in the dark- 
ness; and the darkness apprehended it not. 

6 There was a man sent from God, whose 
name was John. 7 The same came for a 
testimony, that he might testify concern- 
ing the Light, that all might believe 



1 Or, came into being. 



through him. 8 He was not the Light; 
but he came, that he might testify con- 
cerning the Light. 9 He was the true 
Light That lighteth every man coming 
into the world. 10 He was in the world, 
and the world was made through Him, 
and the world knew Him not. 11 He 
came to His own possessions, and those 
who were His own received Him not. 12 
But as many as received Him, to them He 
gave the right to become children of God, 
to those believing in His name; 13 who 
were born, not of bloods, nor of the will 
of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of 
God. 

14 And the Word became flesh, and tab- 
ernacled among us, (and we beheld His^ 
glory — glory as of the Only Begotten from 



NOTES ON CHAPTER I. 
1 In the beginnino; at the beginning of creation. The 
Word was God; this asserts essential deity ot Jesus; Who, 
as to His divinity, existed from eternity, (John 17:5; II 
Cor. 8:9; Col. 1-17). The Word: an appellation of Jesus 
Christ. A word is the sign or representative of an idea, or 
of a fact; and so Christ the Word is an expression of the 
Father's thought ot mercy to our sinful race, and. taken 
In connection with what Christhas done tor us. He is the 
execution ot the Father's mercy. 

3 All things were made through Him; all things were 
brought into being through Him. All things outside of 
God himself must trace their being, or existence, to Him, 
(Col. 1:16; Heb. 1:2). 

4 In Him was Life; He is the Source of all natural and 
spiritual lite. Angels, men, and allanimate and inanimate 
existences, sprang from Him. Christ is our spiritual life. 
(John 14:6; Col. 3:4). 

5 Shineth in darkness; the darkness and ignorance ot the 
Jews prevented them from seeing the Light—Christ. 



6 John; the Immerser; Matt. 3:1. 

7 The Light; the Messiah. Through him; through the 
testimony of John. 

8 Was not the Light; John was "a burning and a shin- 
ing light." (ch. 5:35), but his light was only a reflection of 
the Light— Jesus. 

10 Knew Him not; the Jews, generally, had no real 
knowledge of Christ, or of His mission to earth. 

12 The right; the privilege. Children of God; the re- 
ception ot Christ as one's Saviour makes one a babe in 
Christ, (I Cor. 3:1-3,11); with the privilege of sonship, 
(Rom. 8:14); of full manhood, (Eph. 4:13, 15); and of par- 
taking of God's holiness and nature. (Heb, 12:10; II Peter 
1:4). 

13 Were born . . . of God; the Holy Spirit is the Agent 
of the new birth, in which He plants the life of Christ in 
the penitent believer. 

14 Became flesh; put on a human body, and became a 
human being, (Isa. 9:6). 



JOHN 



127 



the Father), full of grace and truth. 15 
John testifies concerning Him, and has 
cried, saying, "This was He of Whom I 
said, 'He That come th after me hath become 
before me, because He was before^ me;" ' 
16 because out of His fulness we all re- 
ceived, and grace for grace: 17 because 
the law was given through Moses; grace 
and truth came ^ through Jesus Christ. 18 
No one has seen God at any time; tlie only 
begotten Son, * Who is in the bosom of the 
Father, He declared Him. 

19 And this is the testimony of John, 
when the Jews sent forth priests and Le- 
vites from Jerusalem, to ask him, " Who 
are you?" 20 And he confessed, and de- 
nied not; and he confessed, "I am not the 
Christ." 21 And they asked him, " What 
then? Are you Elijah? " And he says, "I 
am not." "Are you the prophet?" And 
he answered, '* No." 22 They said there- 
fore, to him, "Who are you? that we may 
give an answer to those who sent us. What 
do you say concerning yourself?" 23 He 
said, " ' I am, a voice of one crying in the 
wilderness, Make straight the way of the 
Lord,' " as said Isaiah the prophet. 24 
And they had been sent from among the 
Pharisees. 25 And they asked him, and 
said to him, " Why, then, do you immerse 
if you are not- the Christ, nor Elijah, nor 
the prophet?" 26 John answered them, 
saying, " I immerse in water: in your midst 
standeth One Whom ye know not — 27 the 
One coming after me, the latchet of Whose 
sandal I am not worthy, to unloose." 28 



! Gr. Firstinreaardtome. 3 Came into beina. 
'Many Mss. read, God only begotten. 



These things were done in Bethany beyond 
the Jordan, where John was immersing. 

29 On the morrow he sees Jesus coming 
to him, and he says, "Behold, the Lamb 
of God Who taketh away the sin of the 
world! 30 This is He of Whom I said, 
'After me cometh a Man Who hath become 
before me, because He was before me.' 31 
And I knew Him not; but, that He might 
be manifested to Israel, for this cause I 
came immersing in water." 32 And John 
testified, saying, " I have beheld the Spirit 
descending as a dove out of Heaven, and 
He abode upon Him. 33 And I knew Him 
not; but He who sent me to immerse in 
water. He said to me, ' Upon Whomsoever 
you shall see the Spirit descending and 
abiding on Him, the Same is He Who im- 
merseth in the Holy Spirit.' " 84 And I 
have seen, and have testified, that This is 
the Son of God. 

THE FIRST DISCIPLES OF JESUS. 

35 Again, on the morrow, John was 
standing, and two of his disciples; 36 and, 
looking upon Jesus as He was walking, 
says, "Behold, the Lamb of God!" 37 
And the two disciples heard him speaking, 
and they followed Jesus. 38 And Jesus, 
turning and beholding them following, 
saith to them, "What are ye seeking?" 
They said to Him, "Rabbi," (which, being 
translated, means Teacher), "where abid- 
est Thou ? " 39 He saith to them, ' ' Come 
and see." They came, therefore, and saw- 
where He was abiding, and they abode 
with Him that day: it was about the tenth 
hour. 40 Andrew, the brother of Simon 
Peter, was one of the two who heard ii from 



15 JETe was be/ore me; because He existed from aU etern 
Ity. 

16 Grace for arace; grace following grace; until, in the 
Gospel, we have abounding grace. 

17 The laio was aiven through Moses: Moses was God 
scribe in giving the law. The law was given to convince 
of sin. (Rom. 3:20; Gal. 3:19). Grace and truth came through 
Jesus Christ; Christ is the essence of divine Truth and of 
the Gospel of salvation. 

18 Declared Him; Jesus Christ hath declared the Father 
to the world, (see John 14:9. 10). . 

21 Elijah; Ua,l. i:a; Ma.tt. ll-.li. Areyou the vrophetf; 
alluding, likely, to the prophet that Moses spake of, (Deut. 
18:15, 18. 19). 

23 A voice; Matt. 3:3. 

26 I immerse in water; it was one part of John's business 
to immerse, or bury in water, those who gave proof of true 
repentance, (Matt. 3:8). 

28 Beyond the Jordan; on the east side of it. 

29 Th^e Lamb of God; the sin-offering of the law found 



its Anti-type in Jesus Christ. Who taketh away the sin of 
the world; Isa. 53:4-7. 10. 12; II Cor. 5:14. 21; I Peter 2:24, 
3:18; Gal. 3:13. Christ expiated human guilt by His Owa 
vicarious, or substitutionary, death on the cross. The 
atonement is one of the results of His death; and propitia- 
tion is a consequence of it. 

31 That He might be tnanifested to Israel; John's minis- 
try had as its special end the manifestation of Jesus to the 
Jews, and to prepare a people to receive Him. 

33 I knew Sim not; as John was a kinsman of Jesus, and 
they lived at no great distance apart, it is likely that they 
knew each other; but. if so. John here means that he did 
not know Jesus as the Messiah, until His immersion, and 
the descent of the Spirit upon Him. Immerseth in the Holy 
Spirit; Jesus Christ, by His death, put away sin, and made 
it possible for the Spirit todeal with men. Those who re- 
pent and accept Christ as their Saviour and their Lite, 
may come into the glorious experience of being immersed 
in the Holy Spirit. 

39 The tenth hour; or four o'clock in the afternoon. 



128 



JOHN 



John, and followed Him. 41 He first finds 
his own brother Simon, and says to him, 
" We have found the Messiah," (which, be- 
ing translated, is Christ). 42 He led him 
to Jesus. Jesus looking on him, said, 
"You are Simon, the son of John; you 
shall be called Cephas," (which is trans- 
lated Peter). 

43 On the morrow. He wished to go 
forth into Galilee; and He findeth Philip, 
and saith to him, "Follow Me." 44 Now 
Philip was from Bethsaida, the city of 
Andrew and Peter. 45 Philip finds Na- 
thanael, and says to him, " We have found 
Him of Whom Moses in the law and the 
prophets wrote — Jesus of Nazareth, the 
Son of Joseph." 46 And Nathanael said 
to him, " Can any good thing come out of 



Nazareth?" Philip says to him, "Come 
and see." 47 Jesus saw Nathanael com- 
ing to Him, and He saith to him, "Behold, 
an Israelite, indeed, in whom there is 
no guile!" 48 Nathanael says to Him, 
' Whence knowest Thou me ? " Jesus an- 
swered, and said to him, "Before Philip 
called you, when you were under the fig 
tree, I saw you." 49 Nathanael answered, 
'Rabbi, Thou art the Son of God; Thou 
art King of Israel." 60 Jesus answered, 
and said to him, " Because I said to you, I 
saw you under the fig tree, do you believe? 
You shall see greater things than these.'' 
51 And He saith to him, " Verily, verily, 
I say to you, ye shall see Heaven opened, 
and the angels of God ascending and de- 
scending on the Son of Man." 



41 The Messiah . . . Christ; Messiah is a Hebrew ■vrord, 
and Christosisa, Greek word, toth. meaning tTa.e Anointed 
One. 

42 Cephas; a Syriac word meaning the same thing as 
the Greek -moTdpetros, a stone, (Matt. 16:18). 

44 Bethsaida; Matt. 11:21. 

45 Moses and theprophets; Luke 24:44; Gen. 3:15, 49:10; 
Ueut. 18:15, 18, 19; Isa. 9:6. 

46 Nazareth; Matt. 2:23. 

47 An Israelite, indeed; not merely a descendant of Abra- 
ham, bat an honest, devout, guileless m"n. 



48, 49 I saw vou; not with His natural eyes, but with His 
divine vision. Thou art the Son of God; this was an ac- 
knowledgment that Jesus was the Messiah. 

50 Greater things; more convincing proofs of His Mes- 
siahship. 

51 Angels of God ascending and descending on the Son 
of Man; alluding to Jacob's vision of the ladder, (Gen. 
28:12;; the vision having its fulfillment in Christ, Who 
hath established unbroken communication between 
Heaven and earth, so that all true believers may have 
fellowship with the Holy Trinity ! 



CHAPTEE II. 

1 An'd, on the third day, there was a 
marriage in Cana of Galilee; and the 
mother of Jesus was there. 2 And Jesus 
also was invited, and His disciples, to the 
marriage. 3 And, wine having fallen 
short, the mother of Jesus says to Him, 
"They have no wine." 4 And He saith 
to her, "Woman, what is it to Me and to 
you? My hour has not yet come." 5 
His mother says to the servants, "What 
soever He saith to you, do." 6 Now there 
were set there six waterpots of stone, ac- 
cording to the Jews' manner of purifying, 
containing, each, two or three firkins. .7 
Jesus saith to them, "Fill the waterpots 
with water." And they filled them up to 
the brim. 8 And He saith to them 

NOTES ON CHAPTER II. 
1 On the third day; after the facts stated in the pre 
■vlous chapter. Cav.a; a town west cf the seaof Galilee, 
and a few miles north of Nazareth. 

3 They liace no wine; thesupply of wine was exhausted 
and it seems that His mother had an impression that Jesus 
was to supply the deficiency. 

4 TThat is it to Me and to you?: we are guests, and guests 
are not expected to supply the tnings needed at a feast. 

6 Six waterpots; such vessels were needed in the mat 



Draw out, now, and bear to the ruler of 
the feast." And they bore it. 9 When 
the ruler of the feast tasted the water now 
become wine, and knew not whence it 
was, (but the servants who had drawn the 
water knew), the ruler of the feast calls 
the bridegroom, 10 and says to him, 
"Every man sets on the good wine first; 
and, when they become drunken, the 
worse. You have kept the good wine un- 
til now! " 11 This beginning of His signs 
Jesus wrought in Cana of Galilee, and 
manifested His glory; and His disciples 
believed on Him. 

12 After this He went down to Caper- 
naum, Himself, and His mother, and 
brothers, and His disciples; and there 
they abode not many days. 

ter of purifying themselves. A firkin; nearly nine gal- 
lons. 

10 Fi7-stsets on the good wine; this was a Jewish cus- 
tom. When they hecome drunken; when they were meas- 
urably intoxicated, v/hich the word "drunken" clearly 
signifies. 

11 Manifested His glory; showed His divine power. 
Had Jesus been less than divine, He would have had no 
glory to display. 

12' Capernaum: Matt. 4:13. 



JOHN 



13 And the passover of the Jews was 
near; and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. 
14 And He found in the temple those sell- 
ing oxen and sheep and doves, and the 
changers of money sitting. 15 And. hav- 
in<? made a scourge of cords, He drove all 
out of the temple, both the sheep and the 
oxen; and He poured out the changers' 
money, and overthrew the tables; 16 and 
to those selling doves. He said, "Take 
these things hence! make not My Father's 
house a house of merchandise!" 17 His 
disciples remembered that it had been 
written, "Zeal for Thy house will eat 
Me up." 

18 The Jews, therefore, answered and 
said to Him, "What sign dost Thou show 
to us, seeing that Thou doestthese things? " 
19 Jesus answered and said to them, "De- 



stroy this temple, and in three days I will 
raise it up." 20 The Jews, therefore, 
said, "In forty-six years this temple was 
built, and wilt Thou raise it up in three 
days?" 21 But He was speaking about 
the temple of His body. 22 When, there- 
fore. He was raised from the dead, His 
disciples remembered that He said this; 
and they believed the Scripture, and the 
word that Jesus spake. 

23 And, when He was in Jerusalem at 
the passover, during the feast, many be- 
lieved on His name, beholding His signs 

hich He was doing. 24 But Jesus did 
not trust Himself to them, because He 
knew all men, 25 and had no need that 
any one should testify concerning man; 
for He Himself knew what was in man. 



15 Drove all owt of the temple; this seems to apply to 
the sheep and oxen. 

17 It had been wriffen; Ps. 69:9. 

18 What sign dost Thou show ; what canst Thou pro 
duce. to justify such conduct ? 

19 This temple; meaning His Own hody, (v. 21; ch. 10: 
17. 18). 

20 Forty-six years; it was. perhaps, forty-six years since 



Herod the Great besran to rebuild the temple. The Jews 
wholly misunderstood what Jesus meant. 

22 The Scripture; the Scripture that foretold His 
death and resurrection. (Ps. 16:10; Acts 2:22-36). 

2i Did not trust Himself to them; or commit Himself 
to them. 

25 He Tinew what was in man; He hnew all about man, 
and could read his most secret thoughts. His omniscience 
showed His essential deity. 



CHAPTER in. 

1 Now there was a man of the Phari 
sees, whose name was Nicodemus, a ruler 
of the Jews. 2 This man came to Jesus 
by night, and said to Him, "Rabbi, we 
know that Thou hast come, as a Teacher 
irom God; for no one can do the signs 
which Thou art doing, unless God be with 
Him." 3 Jesus answered, and said to him, 
"Yerily, verily, I say to you, unless one 
be born anew,^ he cannot see the Kingdom 
of God." 4 Nicodemus, says to Him, 



Gr. From above. 



"How can a man be born when he is old? 
Can he enter a second time into his mother's 
womb, and be born!" 5 Jesus answered, 
"Verily, verily, I say to you, unless one 
be born of water and of the Spirit, he 
cannot enter into the Kingdom of God. 6 
That which has been born of the flesh is 
flesh; and that which has been born of 
the Spirit is spirit. 7 Marvel not that I 
said to you, ye must be born anew. 8 
The Spirit breatheth where He willeth; 
and you hear His voice, but know not 
whence He cometh, or whither He goeth: 
so is every one who has been born of the 



NOTES ON CHAPTER III. 

1 A ruler; a member of the Sanhedrin. 

2 Nicodemus was fully convinced that God was back of 
Jesus; but he had no such thought as that Jesus was es- 
sential deity. 

3 Sorn anew; born from above. The new birth is su 
Tiernatural, and Involves one of the greatest mysteries 
viz., the impartation of a new nature. 

4 Mow can a man be born when he is old ; this question 
shows that Nicodemus wholly misunderstood the subject 
that Jesus had introduced. 

5 Born of water and of the Spirit; the birth that Jesus 
introduced in v. 3 is the same as that which He now at- 
tempts to explain. Water; not referring to immersion, 
but "the fountain opened in the house of David," or God's 
system of cleansing as taught in His word ; which is the in- 
strument and the Holy Spirit is the Agent of the new birth. 
The Spirit, using the word, convicts of sin; and, as the 



sinner repents of his sins, and accepts Christ as His Savior, 
the Holy Spirit effects the new birth, or imparts the Christ- 
life to him. 

6 The natural birth gives one a physical nature ; and 
the new birth, a spiritual nature, (Ezek. 30:26). This new 
spirit, or new nature, is called "thenewman," (Eph. 4:24), 
or " the spiritual man. " 

8 Both Kotherham and Young in their translations of 
this verse, render the Greek pneuma. Spirit, which seems 
to be proper, if not necessary, as referring to the Agent 
of the new birth in vs. 5 and 6. It the Holy Spirit had 
wished to introduce wind into the text, anemos was the 
word to use. Verse 8 is just the experience that every 
truly converted person presumably has. The Holy Spirit 
breathes upon the sinner, and awakens in him a sense of 
his sins. Then, as the penitent looks to Christ, the Spirit 
breathes into him spiritual life; and he becomes a new 
creature in Christ Jesus. 



130 



JOHN 



Spirit." 9 Nicodemus answered, and said 
to Him, "How can these things be!" 10 
Jesus answered, and said to him, "Are 
you a teacher of Israel, and understand 
not these things? 11 Verily, verily, I say 
to you, we speak that which we know, and 
testify to that which we have seen; and 
ye receive not our testimony. 12 If I 
told you earthly things, and ye believe 
n'lt, how will ye believe, if I tell you 
Heavenly things ? 13 And no one has 
ascended into Heaven, but He Who de- 
scended out of Heaven — the Son of Man 
[Who is in Heaven].* 14 And, as Moses 
lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, 
even so must the Son of Man be lifted up; 
15 that every one who believes in Him 
may have eternal life. 16 For God so 
loved the world, that He gave His only 
begotten Son, that every one who believes 
on " Him should not perish, but have eter- 
nal life; 17 for God sent not His Son 
into the world to judge the world, but 
that the world may be saved through Him. 

18 He that believes on* Him is not judged; 
he that believes not has been judged al- 
ready, because he has not believed on* 
the name of the only begotten Son of God. 

19 And this is the judgment, that the 
Light hath come into the world, and men 
loved the darkness rather than the Light; 
for their works were evil. 20 For every 
one that practices evil hates the Light, and 
comes not to the Light, lest his works should 
be reproved ; 21 but he that does the truth 



♦Some Mss. omit the words in brackets. 2 Gr. Into. 

9 Mow; Jesus did not answer this question. Christ 
teaches facts, but enters not into a consideration of the 
how or the why. 

10 And understand not these things; the things relating 
to the new birth, (Ps. 51:10; Ezek. 36:26). A Jewish 
Kabbi should have known these Scriptures. 

11 What we have seen; Christ got His knowledge di- 
rectly from the Father. 

12 Earthly things; things here relating to the birth of 
the Spirit. Heavenly things; things relating to Heaven; 
as, God, Christ, angels, and laws that operate in Heaven. 

14 As Moses lifted up the serpent; Num. 21:8, 9. Be 
lifted up; on the cross, as a propitiation for the sins of 
men, (I John 2:2). 

16 So loved the world, that, etc.; the Father's love was 
so great, that it led Him to give the most valuable Gift in 
His possession, that men might be saved! 

17 May he saved; if each would accept the Gospel on 
the conditions prescribed in the Gospel— repentance, and 
faith in Christ. 

18 7s not judged; judgment is not rendered against 
him, because he believes in Christ Who put away his i 
by His own death on the cross, (Heb. 9:26). 



comes to the Light, that his works may be 
made manifest, that they have been wrought 
in God." 

John's njKTHER testimony to jesus. 

22 After these things came Jesus and 
His disciples into the land of Judaea; and 
there He was tarrying with them, and im- 
mersing. 23 AjQd John also was immers- 
ing in yEnon near Salim, because there 
was much water there; and they were com- 
ing and being immersed. 24 For John 
had not yet been cast into prison. 25 
There arose, therefore, a question, on the 
part of John's disciples with a Jew, about 
purification. 26 And they came^to John, 
and said to him, "Eabbi, He Who was 
with you beyond the Jordan, to Whom you 
have borne testimony, behold, He is im- 
mersing, and all are coming to Him." 27 
John answered and said, "A man can re- 
ceive nothing, unless it has been given to 
him from Heaven. 28 Ye yourselves bear 
me testimony, that I said, ' I am not the 
Christ, but that I have been sent before 
Him.' 29 He who has the bride is the 
bridegroom; but the friend of the bride- 
groom who stands and hears him greatly 
rejoices because of the bridegroom's voice: 
this my joy, therefore, has been made fuU. 

30 He must increase, but I must decrease. 

31 He That cometh from above is above 
all; he that is of the earth is of the earth, 
and speaks of the earth; He that cometh 
from- Heaven is above all. 32 What He 
hath seen, and what He heard, of this He 

19 This is the judgment; or the ground on which the 
judgment is rendered. The Light hath come; Christ, the 
tight of the world, had come and brought the truth to the 
people. Loved darkness; loved sin, which brings darkness. 

20 Seproved; revealed as evil, and condemned, 

21 Iioes the truth; actssbocordins to thetvxxth. Wrought 
in God; by God's power. 

22 And immersing; not personally, but by His disciples, 
(ch. 4:2). 

25 About purification; possibly this discussion may 
have had reference to the relative values of John's bap- 
tism as compared with that of Christ's. 

26 All are earning to Him ; John's baptism began to pass 
into disuse as Jesus entered upon His ministry. 

27 Unless it hasbe^n given him from Hcaveii; every true 
servant of God has his own appointed work. 

29 Christ's relation to the Kingdom of God, or to the 
people composing this Kingdom, is as that of a bride- 
groom to a bride; while John is Christ's friend. 

30 He must increase; Christ's power and influence must 
increase, while that of John was to decrease. The moon 
disappears, when the sun in full-orbed splendor appears. 

32 No one receives His testimony; except as he is led by 
the Spirit, (I Cor. 2:14; 12:3). 



JOHN 



131 



bears testimony; and no man receives His 
testimony, 33 He that received His testi- 
mony did set his seal to it, tliat God is true. 
34 For He Whom God sent spealteth the 
words of God; for He giveth not the Spirit 
by measure. 35 The Father lovcth the 



Son, and hath given all things into His 
hand. 36 He that believes on the Son has 
eternal life; but he that disbelieves* the 
Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God 
bides on him."' 



3 Or. obeys not. 



33 Did set h i* seal; to the fact, that God is true. 

34 Jo tin and the apostles received the Spirit in a meas- 
ure; but Christ received Him without measure. 



33 Satk given all thiiias; all things pertaining to the 
salvation of men. 



CHAPTER lY. 

1 When, therefore, the Lord knew that 
the Pharisees heard that Jesus was mak- 
ing and immersing more disciples than 
John 2 (although Jesus Himself did not 
immerse, but His disciples), 3 He left 
Judaea, and departed again into Gralilee. 
4 And it was necessary that He should go 
through Samaria. 5 He comes, there- 
fore, to a city of Samaria, called Sychar, 
near to the piece of land that Jacob gave 
to his sou Joseph; 6 and Jacob's well 
was there. Jesus, therefore, being wear- 
ied with His journey, was sitting thus at 
the well. It was about the sixth hour. 7 
There comes a woman of Samaria to draw 
water. Jesus saith to her, " Give Me to 
drink." 8 For His disciples had gone 
away into the city to buy bread. 9 The 
Samaritan woman, therefore, says to Him, 
" How is it that Thou, being a Jew, askest 
drink of me, who am a Samaritan woman? " 
(For Jews have no dealings with Samari- 
tans). 10 Jesus answered and said to her, 
" If you knew the Gift of God, and Who it 
is, Thatsaithto you ' Give Me to drink, ' you 
would have asked of Him, and He would 
have given you living water." 11 She says 



to Him, " Sir, Thou hast nothing to draw 
with, and the well is deep. Whence, there- 
fore, hast Thou the living water? 12 Art 
Thou greater than our Father Jacob, who 
gave us the well, and himself drank of it, 
and his sons, and his cattle?" 13 Jesus 
answered and said to her, "Every one who 
drinks of this water will thirst again; 14 
but whosoever drinks of the water that I 
will give him will never thirst; but the 
water that I will give him will become in 
him a well of water springing up into 
eternal life." 15 The woman saith to Him, 
" Sir, give me this w^ater, that I may not 
thirst, neither come all the way hither 
to draw." 16 He saith to her, "Go, call 
your husband, and come hither." 17 The 
woman answered and said, "I have no 
husband." Jesus saith to her, "Well did you 
say. 'I have no husband;' 18 for you have 
had five husbands, and he whom you now 
have is not your husband: this you have 
said truly." 19 The woman says to Him, 
"Sir, I perceive that Thou art a Prophet. 
20 Our fathers worshiped in this mountain; 
and ye say that in Jerusalem is the place 
where men ought to worship." 21 Jesus 
saith to her, "Woman, believe Me, thehouv 
is coming when ye will, neither in this 



NOTES ON CHAPTER IV. 

1 The Pharisees were growing more bitter against 

Jesus, and His growing popularity was likely to increase 

It; hence, for the present, Jesus left them. 

4 Necessary; in the execution, of His earthly program. 
He had laid out his program, and He must execute it. 

5 Sychar; in the Old Testament it was Shechem. (Gen. 
33:18). It is now called Xaplous, and is situated a few 
miles south-east of the city of Samaria. Jacob gave his 
ton Joseph; Gen. 48:22. 

9 No dealings; no business or social intercourse. 

10 The Gift of God; Jesus Christ, (ch. 3:16). He who 
receives this Gift in fulness has the Source of countless 
blessings in himself. Living Water; the Holy Spirit Who 
brings Christ to dwell in the heart, and to overflow one 
whole being, (ch. 7:38, 39). 

14 Shall never thirst; shall thirst no more for the sinful 
pleasures of this world. Shall become in him a well of 
water springing up into eternal life: whosoever receives 
this living water, and cherishes the wonderful gift, will 



find that it will become as a mighty up-gushing well of 
water in him. Has this well been opened up in you ? If 
not, let nothing cheat you out of it, (see John 7:38; 14:16. 
17; Luke 11:13; 24:49; Acts 1:8; 2:4; Eph. 5:18, etc.). Those 
who wish to be what God wishes to make them must live 
the Spirit-flUed life. 

16 Call your hushand; if the woman had drawn back 
here, she would never have had the honor of proclaiming 
the Messiah to her townsmen. When one begins to con- 
fess his sins, his prospects begin to brighten. 

18, 19. The disclosure of His knowledge of her past and 
present life inspired in her the belief that He was a 
prophet. 

29 This mountain; mount Gerizim. only a short dis- 
tance from where they were standing. She sought to 
have Jesus settle the disputed question between the Jews 
and Samaritans, as to the proper place to worship. 

21 Neither in this mountain; neither here, nor in Jeru- 
salem. After Christ's sacrifice should be made, and sin 
should be put away, every true believer could worship God 
anywhere he might be. 



132 



JOHN 



mountain nor in Jerusalem, worship the 
Father. 22 Ye worship ye know not what; 
we know what we worship, because salva- 
tion is from the Jews. 23 But the hour is 
coming, and now is, when the true wor- 
shipers will worship the Father in spirit 
and truth; for, indeed, the Father seeketh 
such to be His worshipers. 24 God is a 
spirit; and those who worship Him must 
worship in spirit and truth." 25 The woman 
says to Him, " I know that Messiah is com- 
ing. Who is called Christ; when He com- 
eth. He will tell us all things." 26 Jesus 
saith to her, " I who speak to you am He.'''' 
27 And upon this came His disciples; 
and they were wondering that He was talk- 
ing with a woman; yet no one said "What 
seekest Thou?" or, ''Why talkesfe Thou 
with her? " 28 The woman, therefore, left 
her waterjar, and went away into the city, 
and says to the men, 29 "Come, see a 
Man Who told me all things that I ever 
did: can This be the Christ?" 30 They 
went forth out of the city, arid were com- 
ing to Him. 31 In the meantime the dis- 
ciples were entreating Him, saying, 
"Rabbi, eat." 32 But He said to them, 
"I have food to eat that ye know not of." 
33 The disciples, therefore, said to one an- 
other, "Has any one brought Him any- 
thing to eat?" 34 Jesus saith to them, 
"My food is to do the will of Him Who 
sent Me, and to finish His work. 35 Say 
not ye, 'There are yet four months, and 
the harvest is coming ? ' Behold, I say to 
you, lift up your eyes, and view the fields, 
that are already white for harvest. 36 He 
who reaps receives wages, and gathers fruit 



unto life eternal; that both he that sows 
and he that reaps may rejoice together. 37 
For in this is the saying true, 'One sows, 
and another reaps.' 38 I sent you to reap 
that on which ye bestowed no labor; others 
have labored, and ye entered into their 
labor." 

39 And many of the Samaritans from 
that city believed on Him because of the 
word of the woman, who testified, "He 
told me all that ever I did." 40 When, 
therefore, the Samaritans came to Him, 
they kept asking Him to abide with them: 
and He abode there two days. 41 And 
many more believed because of His word; 
42 and they said to the woman, " Now we no 
longer believe because of your saying; for 
we ourselves have heard, and know that 
This is, in truth, the Savior of the world." 

43 And, after the two days. He went 
forth thence into Galilee; 44 for Jesus 
Himself testified, that a prophet has no 
honor in his own country. 45 When, 
therefore. He came into Galilee, the Gali- 
laeans received Him, having seen all that 
He did in Jerusalem at the feast; for they 
also went to the feast. 

46 He came, therefore, again into Cana 
of Galilee, where He made the water wine. 
And there was a certain nobleman, whose 
son was sick at Capernaum. 47 This man, 
having heard that Jesus had come out of 
Galilee, went to Him, and was asking Him, 
that He would come down, and heal his 
son, for he was about to die. 48 Jesus, 
therefore, said to him, "Unless ye see signs 
and wonders, ye will not believe." 49 The 
nobleman said to Him, " Sir, come down, 



23 We know what we worship; God had given the Jews 
a form of worship, and a revelation of His will; all of 
which, however, pointed to Christ as the sin-offering; and 
until this sin-offering should be made. Jerusalem was still 
the place to worship. The Samaritans accepted nothing 
but the five books of Moses, and had no divine warrant to 
establish a rival worship on mount Gerizim. Having re- 
jected the prophets, the Samaritans adopted many super- 
stitions. Salvaiinn is of the Jews; because the Messiah 
was to come from them. 

23 Will worship the Father in spirit and truth; 
drop all forms of superstition, and worship according to 
the simple principles laid down in the Gospel. 

26 I am He; this is a plain declaration of His Messiah- 
ship— which He kept back from the Pharisees till His 
trial. 

28 Left her waterjar; she had found a treasure of such 
great value, that she, for the time at least, forgot her reg- 
ular work. 

35 Areyenot saying; when ye sow seed in the ground. 
Four months; the usual period between sowing and reap- 



ing. View the fields; see the vast crowds of Samaritans, 
coming to hear the Gospel; and consider the vast millions 
all over the earth— what a vast harvest field! 

36 He who sows, and he who reaps; Jesus and the 
prophets before Him had sowed the seed; and now it re- 
mained for His disciples to gather the harvest. Lord, 
send more and better reapers 1 

40 They kept asking Him to obide with them; how sensi- 
ble and wise a thing to do. Now Jesus wishes not only to 
abide with His people, but in theml 

41 Many more Relieved; it is much more conducive to 
faith, to see and talk with Jesus, than it is to hear others 
tell about Him. 

44 No honor in hii own country; a proposition generally 
true, but especially true of Jesus, (see Matt. 13:54-58). 

46 Nobleman; a courtier, or one having some connec- 
tion with a king. 

48 Unless ye see signs; proving the Messiahship of 
Christ. But hehada signin thehealingothis son; andhe 
believed and all his house. 



JOHN 



133 



before my child die!" 50 Jesus saith to 
him, "Go your way; your son lives. 
The man believed the word that Jesus 
spake to him, and went his way. 51 And, 
as he was going down, his servants met 
him, saying, that his son was living. 52 
He inquired of them, therefore, the hour 
when he began to amend. They said. 



therefore, to him, " Yesterday, at the sev- 
enth hour, the fever left him." 53 The 
father, therefore, knew that it was at that 
hour in which Jesus said to him, " Your 
son lives;" and he himself believed, and 
his whole house. 54 This again /s a sec- 
ond signt/iat Jesus did, after having come 
out of Judaea into Galilee. 



Se believed; real faith is followed by results. 



53 Seventh hour; one o'clock p. m. 



CHAPTER V. 

1 After these things there was a feast of 
the Jews; and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. 
2 And there is in Jerusalem, by the sheep- 
gate, a pool, which is called, in Hebrew, 
Bethesda, having five porches. 3 In these 
were lying a multitude of those who were 
sick, blind, lame, withered, [waiting for 
the moving of the waters: 4 for an angel 
of the Lord went down at a certain period 
into the pool, and troubled the water: who- 
soever, therefore, first, after the troubling 
of the water, stepped in, was healed of 
whatsoever disease he had].* 5 And a 
certain man was there, who had been for 
thirty-eight years in his infirmity. 6 
Jesus, seeing this man lying, and knowing 
that already for a long time he had been 
thus, saith to him, "Do you wish to be 
made well?" 7 The sick man answered 
Him, "Sir, I have no one, when the water 
is troubled, to put me into the pool; but, 
while I am coming, another goes down be- 
fore me!" 8 Jesus saith to him, "Rise, 
take up your bed, and walk." 9 And 
straightway the man became well, and took 
up his bed, and was walking. 

And it was the sabbath on that day. 10 
The Jews, therefore, said to him who had 
been cured, "It is the sabbath; it is not 
lawful for you to carry your bed." 11 



* The words in brackets are omitted, wholly or in part, 
from many Mss. 

NOTES ON CHAPTER V. 

2 At the sheep-gate; Neh. 3:1; 32, 12:39. Bethesda; a 
house of mercy. 

6 Dovouwish to he [made well; the Savior, compassion- 
ating him, asks the question with the view, presumably, of 
preparing him to receive healing. 

8 AHse, take up your bed, and walk; these words were 
immediately followed by the healing of the man. and, so 
far as we know, without faith on his part. 

10 Not lawful; they supposed that the man was violat- 
ing the law of God (see Neh. 13:15-20; Jer. 17:21) ; but these 
Scriptures had no reference to such burdens as the healed 
man was carrying. 

14 A worse thing; worse than the physical disease of 



But he answered them, "He Who made 
me well, the Same said to me, ' Take up 
your bed and walk.'" 12 They asked 
him, " Who is the Man That said to you, 
' Take up your bed, and walk ? ' " 13 And 
he who was healed knew not Who it was; 
for Jesus withdrew, a multitude being in 
the place. 14 Afterward Jesus findeth 
him in the temple. And He said to him, 
"Behold, you have been made well; sin 
no more, lest something worse befall you." 
15 The man went away, and told the Jews 
that it was Jesus who made him well. 16 
And, on this account, the Jews were per- 
secuting Jesus, because He was doing 
these things on the sabbath. 17 But He 
answered them, "My Father worketh even 
until now, and I work. ' ' 18 For this cause, 
therefore, the Jews were seeking the more 
to kill Him, because He not only broke the 
sabbath, but also called God His Father, 
making Himself equal with God. 19 Jesus, 
therefore, answered and said to them, 
" Verily, verily, I say to you, the Son can 
do nothing of Himself, but what He seeth 
the Father doing; for whatsoever things 
He doeth, these also, in like manner, the 
Son doeth. 20 For the Father loveth the 
Son, and showeth Him all things which He 
Himself doeth; and greater works than 
these will He show Him, that ye may 
marvel. 21 For, as the Father raiseth the 
dead, and maketh them alive; so also the 
Son maketh alive whom He willeth. 22 

which he had been healed ; referring, likely, to the spirit- 
ual ailment which is a result of sin. 

17 My Father worketh even until now; in vitalizing all 
the forces of nature, and in keeping the universe and all 
creatures in proper condition. I work; meaning that, as 
the Son of God, and as being One with His Father, He had 
an equal right to work— a specimen of Whose work was 
seen in the healing of the impotent man. 

19 The Son can do nothing of Bimself; apart from the 
Father; but there was a perfect union between the Father 
and the Son, as well in plan and will, as in execution. 

20 Greater things than these; works referred to in the 
following verses. 

21 The Son maketh alive whom Be will; the Son gave 



134 



JOHN 



For neither doth the Father judge any one, 
but all judgment He hath given to the Son; 
23 that all may honor the Son even as they 
honor the Father. He that honors not the 
Son honors not the Father Who sent Him. 
24 ' 'Verily, verily, I say to you, He that 
hears My word, and believes Him Who sent 
Me, has eternal life, and comes not into 
judgment, but has passed out of death into 
life. 25 Verily, verily, I say to you, the 
hour is coming, and now is, when the dead 
will hear the voice of the Son of God, and 
those having heard shall live. 26 For, as 
the Father hath life in Himself, so also He 
gave to the Son to have life in Himself; 

27 and He gave Him authority to execute 
judgment, because He is the Son of Man. 

28 Marvel not at this; because there is an 
hour coming, in which all who are in their 
tombs shall hear His voice, 29 and come 
forth; those who did good, to the resurrec- 
tion of life; but those who practiced evil, to 
the resurrection of judgment. 30 I can of 
Myself do nothing: as I hear, I judge; and 
My judgment is righteous; because I seek 
not My Own will, but the will of Him 
Who sent Me. 31 If I testify concerning 
Myself, My testimony is not true. 32 
There is another Who testifieth concerning 
Me; and I know that the testimony which 
He testifieth concerning Me is true. 33 Ye 



have sent to John, and he has testified to the 
truth. 34 But the testimony I receive is not 
from man; but these things I say, that ye 
may be saved. 35 He was a lamp that was 
burning and shining; and ye were willing 
for a season to rejoice in his light. 36 
But I have a testimony greater than that 
of John; for the works which the Father 
hath given Me to accomplish, the very 
works that I am doing testify concerning 
Me, that the Father hath sent Me. 37 
And the Father Who sent Me. He hath 
testified concerning Me. Ye have neither 
at any time heard His voice, nor seen His 
form. 38 And ye have not His word abid- 
ing in you; because Whom He sent. Him 
ye believe not. 39 Ye search the Scrip- 
tures; because in them ye think ye have 
eternal life; and these are they that testify 
concerning Me; 40 and ye are not will- 
ing to come to Me, that ye may have life. 
41 I receive not glory from men. 42 But 
I know you, that ye have not the love of 
God in yourselves. 43 I have come in My 
Father's name, and ye receive Me not; if 
another shall come in his own name, him 
ye will receive. 44 How can ye believe, 
who receive glory from one another, and 
the glory which is from God only ye seek 
not? 45 Think not that I will accuse you 
to the Father; there is one who accuses 
you, Moses on whom ye have set your 



natural and spiritual lite to whom He would; and there Is 
no greater work than this. 

S3 Alljudgment Hehath givento the'Son; henoeChrist 
is to he the final Judge of all; and He will assign to each 
his final lot, (Matt. 25:31-46). 

23 That all may honor the. Son evm as they honor the 
Father: of course, this would have been blasphemy, if 
Christ had not been God. 

24 Hears My word; heeds My instructions, and obeys 
My words. Believes Him Who sent Me; obedience to Christ 
involves belief in the Father. 

25 Those having heard shall live; those who hear Christ 
and get His life in them here. 

26 To have life in Himself; the Savior here represents 
His Father as bestowing upon Him the power to have life 
in Himself; thus implying His official inferiority to the 
Father; but this related to the humanity of the Savior; 
for, apart from His humanity. He had life in Himself, 
(ch. 1:4; 14:6). 

27 Authority to execute judgment; in relation to all cre- 
ated intelligences. The Redeemer is to he the Judge. 

28 All who are in their tomhs; the calling forth of dead 
saints and sinners from their tombs will display the 
mighty power of Jesus Christ. 

31 If Christ's testimony had not been corroborated by 
the Father, it could not have been valid. 

32 Another: meaning the Father. The Father testified 
to the Messiahship of Christ, at His immersion and on the 
mount of transfiguration; and the Father worked In con- 



nection with the Son in all the miracles which Jesus per- 
formed. 

34 Not from man; not from one who was merely a man. 
John was a man who was filled with the Holy Spirit, and 
it was this fact that made John's testimony valuable. 

36 The works which the Father gave Me; His teachings 
and miracles— in fact His whole human program was 
mapped out by the Father. 

38 Te have not His word; they did not receive the testi- 
mony of God, and they proved this by rejecting Him 
Whom He sent. 

39 Ye search the Scriptures; or pretend to search them. 
And, though these Old Scriptures had much to say con- 
cerning Christ, the Jews would not accept their testimony 
respecting Him. 

40 Te are not willing to come to Me; the chief difficulty 
was their stubborn will, that would not yield to the force 
of testimony, nor relent at the display of His mighty 
power displayed in His miracles. 

41 I receive not glory from men; He sought the approval 
of His Father alone, as do all the true servants of God. 

42 ffave not the love of God in you; the absence of love 
leaves room for hatred; and hatred rendered them unable 
to appreciate His arguments, works, or the testimony of 
Scripture, all of which proved His Messiahship. 

43 If another comes in his own name; referring, proba- 
bly, to the beast of Rev. 13 and 19; II Thess. 2:3-12. 

44 Those who are seeking the applause and favor of 
men have scarcely any chance to believe. Until one lets 
go the world, it will be difficult to believe. 



JOHN 



135 



hope. 46 For, if ye were believing Moses, 
ye would believe Me; for he wrote con- 



cerning Me, 47 But, if ye believe not his 
writings, how will ye believe My words?" 



45-47 Moses; Moses wrote of Christ. (Deut. 18:15. 18, 19). 
And, though tho Jews professed to believe Mosos, they 



would not accept His testimony respecting Christ. No 
amount of proof will convince those who will not believe. 



CHAPTER VI. 

riVE THOUSAND FED. 

1 After these things Jesus went away, 
beyond the sea of Galilee, which -is the sea 
of Tiberias. 2 And a great multitude 
was following Him, because they were be- 
holding the signs which He was doing on 
the sick. 3 And Jesus went up into the 
mountain, and was sitting there with His 
disciples. 4 Now the Passover, the feast 
of the Jews, was near. 6 Jesus, there- 
fore, lifting up His eyes, and seeing that 
ia great multitude is coming to Him, saith 
to Philip, "Whence shall we buy bread, 
that these may eat?" 6 And this He said, 
proving him; for He Himself knew what 
He was about to do. 7 Philip answered 
Him, "Two hundred denaries worth of 
bread is not sufficient for them, that each 
one may take a little." 8 One of His dis- 
ciples, Andrew, the brother of Simon 
Peter, says to Him, 9 "There is a lad here, 
who has five barley loaves and two small 
fishes; but what are these among so many? " 
10 Jesus said, "Make the men recline." 
Now there was much grass in the place. 
The men, therefore, reclined, in number 
about five thousand. 11 Jesus, therefore, 
took the loaves; and, having given thanks, 
He distributed to those reclining; and 
likewise of the fishes as much as they 
wished. 12 And, when they were filled, 
He saith to His disciples, " Grather up the 
pieces that remain over, that nothing be 
lost." 13 So they gathered them up, and 
iBlled twelve baskets with pieces from the 
five barley loaves, which remained over to 
those whotliad eaten. 14 The men, there- 
fore, seeing the sign that He did, said, 
"This, truly, is the Prophet Who cometh 
into the world." 15 Jesus, therefore, per- 



ceiving that they were about to come and 
take Him by force, to make Him King, 
withdrew again into the mountain, Him- 
self alone. 

JESUS WALKS ON THE SEA. 

16 And, when evening came. His dis- 
ciples went down to the sea; 17 and, en- 
tering into a boat, they were going over 
the sea to Capernaum; and it had already 
become dark, and Jesus had not yet come 
to them. 18 And, a strong wind blowing, 
the sea was being much raised. 19 Hav- 
ing rowed, therefore, about twenty-five 
or thirty furlongs, they behold Jesus walk- 
ing on the sea, and drawing near to the 
boat; and they were afraid. 20 But He 
saith to them, "It is I; be not afraid." 
21 They were willing, therefore, to re- 
ceive Him into the boat; and straightway 
they were at the land whither they Avere 
going. 

HIS DISCOURSE IN THE SYNAGOGUE. 

22 On the morrow the multitude that 
stood on the other side of the sea saw that 
there was no other boat there, except one, 
and that Jesus, entered not with His dis- 
ciples into the boat, but His disciples went 
away alone (23 yet there came boats 
from Tiberias near to the place where they 
ate the bread, the Lord having given 
thanks): 24 when, therefore, the multi- 
tude saw that Jesus was not there, nor 
His disciples, they themselves entered into 
the boats, and came to Capernaum, seek- 
ing Jesus. 25 And, having found Him on 
the other side of the sea, they said to Him, 
"Rabbi, when camest Thou hither?" 26 
Jesus answered them and said, "Verily, 
verily, I say to you, ye seek Me, not be- 
cause ye saw signs, but because ye ate of 



NOTES ON CHAPTER VI. 
1 AoroiS the sea of Galilee; to the north side of it. 
6 Proving him; testing, or trying him, to see if his faith 
anticipated the great miracle soon to he wrouglit. 

14 This, truly, is theProphet; the Messiah. Deut. 18:18. 19. 

15 Make Him King; a temporal ruler, such as they sup- 
posed the Messiah would be. 

16-21 Christ walks on the sea ; Matt. 14 :22. 23. 
17 Were going over the sea; to the west side. 
19 Twenty-five or thirty fwlongs; between three and 
lour miles. 



22 On the other side; on the north side. 

23 Other boats; from the west side, after the disciples 
left. 

24 Came to Capernaum; a portion of' the five thousand 
came to Capernaum in search of Jesus. 

26 Not because ye saw the signs; not because of the great 
miracle they had seen in feeding the multitude; but be- 
cause they had eaten of the loaves. Men's appetites are, 
usually, stronger, than their curiosity, or their love or 
knowledge. 



136 



JOHN 



the loaves, and were filled. 27 Work not 
for the food that perishes, but for the food 
that abides unto eternal life, which the 
Son of Man will give to you; for Him 
God the Father sealed." 28 They said, 
therefore, "What must we do, that we 
may work the works of God?" 29 Jesus 
answered, and said to them, "This is the 
work of God, that ye believe on Him 
Whom He sent." 30 They said, there- 
fore, to Him, "What sign doest Thou, 
then, that we may see, and believe Thee? 
What doest Thou? 31 Our fathers ate the 
manna in the wilderness; as it has been 
written, 'He gave them bread out of 
Heaven to eat.'" 32 Jesus, therefore, 
said to them, "Verily, verily, I say to 
you, Moses did not give you the bread out 
of Heaven; but My Father giveth you the 
true bread out of Heaven; 33 for the 
Bread of God is He Who cometh down out 
of Heaven, and giveth life to the world." 
34 They said, therefore, to Him, "Lord, 
evermore give us this bread." 35 Jesus 
said to them, "I am the Bread of Life; 
he who comes to Me shall not hunger, and 
he who believes on Me shall never thirst. 
36 But I said to you, that ye have even 
seen Me, and do not believe. 37 All that 
the Father giveth to Me shall come to Me; 
and him who comes to Me I will in no 
wise cast out; 38 because I have come 
down from Heaven, not to do My Own 
will, but the will of Him Who sent Me. 
39 And this is the will of Him Who sent 
Me, that of all that He hath given Me I 
should lose nothing, but should raise it up 
at the last day. 40 For this is the will of 



My Father, that every one who beholds 
the Son, and believes on Him, should have 
eternal life; and I will raise him up at the 
last day." 

41 The Jews, therefore, were murmur- 
ing concerning Him, because He said, "I 
am the Bread that came down out of 
Heaven." 42 And they said, "Is not this 
Jesus, the Son of Joseph, Whose father 
and mother we know ? How doth He now 
say, 'I have come down out of Heaven!'" 
43 Jesus answered, and said to them, 
"Murmur not among^ourselves. 44 No 
one can come to Me, unless the Father 
Who sent Me draw him; and I will raise 
him up at the last day. 45 It has been 
written in the prophets, ' And they shall 
all be taught of God.' Every one who 
heard from the Father, and learned, comes 
to Me. 46 Not that any one has seen the 
Father, save He Who is from God, He 
hath seen the Father. 47 Verily, verily, 
I say to you, he that believes has eternal 
life. 48 I am the Bread of Life. 49 
Your fathers ate the manna in the wilder- 
ness, and died. 60 This is the Bread That 
cometh down out of Heaven, thdt one may 
eat thereof, and not die. 61 I am the 
Living Bread That came down out of 
Heaven: if any one eat of This Bread, he 
shall live forever; yea, and the Bread 
That I will give him is My flesh, for the 
life of the world." 

62 The Jews, therefore, were wrang- 
ling with one another, saying, "How can 
This Man give us His flesh to eat?" 63 
Jesus, therefore, said to them, "Verily, 
verily, I say to you, unless ye eat the 



27 Food that perishes; all temporal matters are of sec- 
ondary concern. Abides: spiritual food, that subserves 
one's eternal interests. 

29 God would he pleased to have people believe on His 
Son; and no work of man pleases Him so much as that be- 
lief that leads one to entire surrender to His will. 

30 n'hat sign; they seem to have forgotten the miracle 
of feeding the thousands on a few loaves and fishes. Like 
other doubters, they demanded different proof from that 
which they had. 

31, 32 The manna was a type of Christ. As the Israelites 
needed to eat manna every day; so Christians should daily 
feast on the Living Bread. 

35 I am the Bread of Life; Christ is the Author, Giver, 
and Sustainer. of spiritual life. 

36 Te have even seen Me, and do not believe: if he is 
blessed who has not seen, and yet believes; under what a 
curse must he rest, who has seen Christ, and yet does not 
believe on Him! 

37 All that the Father giveth to Me shall come to Me; in- 
cluding every individual that the Father hath given to His 
Soa. See John 17:2; Eph 1:3-12. 



40 Will raise him up; in the resurrection. 

44 No one can come to Me; of himself. The Holy Spirit 
convicts of sin; and, through His mighty power working 
below the sinner's consciousness. He leads him to Christ. 
In the prophets; Isa. 54:13; Jer. 31:34. 
Not that any man has seen the Father ;-gaa,TdLing theva. 
against supposing that the Father is visible to the natural 
sight. We may see God in His word, in His providence, 
and in His Son (John 14:9); but the fully surrendered 
and obedient believer who has come to know Christ as 
dwelling within, (ch. 14:20; 15:4,5), may have fellowship 
with the Father also, (see ch. 14:23; I John 1:3). 

50 Not die; those who get eternal life in Christ will 
never die. Their bodies may sleep in the dust, but their 
spirits live on uninterruptedly. At the resurrection, soul 
and body will be reunited. 

51-56 My flesh, for the life of the world; the physical 
body of Jesus was given to death in behalf of the race; but 
there is something more involved in eating His flesh and 
drinking His blood, than merely believing that He died on 
the cross to put away sin. The spiritual or new man must 



JOHN 



137 



flesh of the Son of Man, and drink His 
blood, ye have no life in yourselves. 54 
He that eats My flesh, and drinks My 
blood, has eternal life; and I will raise 
him up at the last day; 55 for My flesh 
is true food, and My blood is true drink 
56 He that eats My flesh, and drinks My 
blood, abides in Me, and I in him. 57 As 
the Living Father sent Me, and I live be- 
cause of the Father; so he, also, who eats 
Me, shall live because of Me. 68 This is 
the Bread That came down out of Heaven 
Not as the fathers ate, and died: he that 
eats This Bread shall live forever. 59 
These things He said in the synagogue, 
while teaching in Capernaum. 

60 Many of His disciples, having heard 
this^ said, "This is a hard saying! Who 
can hear it?" 61 But Jesus, knowing in 
Himself that His disciples were murmur- 
ing about this, said to them, "Does this 
cause you to stumble? 62 TF^^a^, then, if 
ye behold the Son of Man ascending where 
He was before? 63 It is the Spirit That 



giveth life; the flesh profits nothing: the 
words which I have spoken to you are 
spirit, and they are life. 64 But there are 
some of you who do not believe." For 
Jesus knew from the beginning who those 
were that believed not, and who it was 
that would betray Him. 65 And He said, 
"For this cause I have said to you, that 
no one can come to Me, unless it has been 
given to him of the Father." 

%Q From this time many of His disciples 
went back, and walked no more with Him. 
67 Jesus, therefore, said to the twelve. 

Do ye also wish to go away ? " 68 Simon 
Peter answered Him, "Lord, to whom 
shall we go ? Thou hast words of eternal 
life. 69 And we have believed and know, 
that Thou art the Holy One of God." 70 
Jesus answered them, "Did I not choose 
you, the twelve, and one of you is a 
devil?" 71 But He was speaking of Judas, 
son of Simon Iscariot; for he was about to 
betray Him, being one of the twelve. 



be so related to Cirrist, as that His very nature shall be 
communicated to him. This necessitates an inner union. 
or mutual abiding-, wherein the very life and nature of Jesus 
are imparted to the one in whom Christ is permitted to 
rule. This mutual abiding is indispensible. if the Christ- 
life is to be perfected in one. (Eph. 3:16-19; John 17:23). 
This is a gracious experience that comparatively few know. 

60 A hard saying; the carnal multitude had no sympathy 
for these deep teachings of JesUs. So now the shallow 
theology of our times can not tolerate these same truths. 

62 The Son of Man ascending; if you think strange of My 
being the Bread That came down from Heaven, what would 
ye think, if ye were to see Me caught up to Heaven ?— a 



sight which some of them witnessed a little later, (Acts 
1:9-11). 

63 It is the Spirit that giveth life; the Holy Spirit plants 
the life of Christ in the believer, and builds it up in him, as 
he yields his life wholly to God. The words that I speak to 
you are spirit and are life; the Holy Spirit accompanies the 
words of Jesus, and makes them media for the conveyanc* 
of life to the believer. 

65 No one can come to Me, unless; should God leave the 
sinner to himself, he would never have the least disposition 
to seek Christ. 

70 One of you is a devil; or so under the influence of the 
Devil, that Judas' conduct was ascribable to the Devil him- 
self. 



CHAPTEE VII. 

THE FEAST OF TABERNACLES. 

1 And after these things Jesus was walk- 
ing in Galilee; for He was not willing to 
walk in Judiea, because the Jews were 
seeking to kill Him. 2 Now the feast of 
the Jews, the feast of tabernacles, was 
at hand. 3 His brethren, therefore, said 
to Him, "Depart hence, and go into 
Judaea, that Thy disciples also may be- 
hold Thy works that Thou doest; 4 for 



no one does anything in secret, and him- 
self seeks to be known openly. If Thou 
doest these things, manifest Thyself to 
the world." 5 For even His brethren 
did not believe on Him. 6 Jesus, there- 
fore, saith to them, "My time is not yet 
present; but your time is always ready. 
7 The world cannot hate you; but Me it 
hates, because I testify concerning it, that 
its works are evil. 8 Go ye up to the 
feast. I am not yet going up to this feast, 
because My time has not yet been fulfilled." 



NOTES ON CHAPTER VII. 

2 The feast of tabernacles; a feast of tents or booths. 
This was a feast of seven days, of special thanksgiving for 
the ingathering of the harvest, including the last days ot 
September and the first days of October. There were three 
Jewish feasts; one of thepassover, one of Pentecost, and 
one of tents, (Deut, 16:1-15). 

3 Depart hence: from this obscure place. Go into Judma; 
•where, they thought. He would be appreciated. That Thy 
disciples; believers in Judaea. 



i They charge Him with inconsistency, in that He per- 
formed miracles in obscure places, where there were only 
a few to appreciate them. But they did not understand, 
either His mission, or His motives. 

6 My time; for displaying the crowning proofs of His 
Messiahship. 

7 The world cannot hate you; because ye are of the world; 
and the world loves its own. The carnality in most pro- 
fessed Christians protects them from the hatred and per- 
secution of the world. 



138 



JOHN 



9 And, having said these things to them 
He abode in G-alilee, 

10 But, when His disciples went up to 
the feast, then He also went up, not openly, 
but as it were in secret. 11 The Jews, 
therefore, were seeking Him at the feast, 
and said, "Where is He?" 12 And there 
was much murmuring about Him among 
the multitudes: some were saying, "He 
is a good Man;" others were saying, 
"Nay, but He is misleading the multi- 
tude." 13 No one, however, was speak- 
ing openly concerning Him, through fear 
of the Jews. 

14 But, it being now the middle of the 
feast, Jesus went up into the temple, and 
wa^ teaching. 15 The Jews, therefore, 
were murmuring, saying, ' ' How knoweth 
This Man letters, having never learned!" 
16 Jesus, therefore, answered them, and 
said, "My teaching is not Mine, but His 
Who sent Me. 17 If any one wills to do 
His will, he shall know of the teaching, 
whether it is of God, or v^hether I speak 
from Myself. 18 He that speaks from 
himself seeks his own glory; but He Who 
seeketh the glory of Him Who sent Him 
the Same is true, and there is no unright- 
eousness in Him. 19 Did not Moses give 
you the law ? and not one of you does 
the law. Why are ye seeking to kill Me ?" 
20 The multitude answered, "Thou hast 
a demon: who is seeking to kill you!" 21 
Jesus answered, and said to them, "I did 
one work, and ye all marvel because of 
this. 22 Moses has given you circumcis- 
ion (not that it is of Moses, but of the 
fathers); and on the sabbath ye circum- 
cise a man. 23 If a man receives circum- 
cision on a sabbath, that the law of Moses 
be not broken, are ye angry with Me, be- 

12 Murmuring; about Jesus and His works. 

15 Letters; letters relating especially to the Scriptures. 
Saving never learned; Jesus, it appears, never studied un- 
der any Jewish Rabbi. 

16 Ml/ teaching is not Mine; did not originate with Me, 
apart from My Father. 

17 If any one wills to do His will; here the Savior teaches 
the important principle, that a man who wills to obey God, 
occupies a position to be taught by the Holy Spirit; and 
this is the surest way to know the truth. From Myself; 
apart from the Father. He here teaches that His teach- 
ings would be valueless, unless they had the sanction of 
the Father. 

21 I did one work; referring to the healing of the man in 
ch. 5:5-9. 

22, 23 Moses gave you circumcision; Moses Incorporated 
it in the law, (Lev. 13:3), though circumcision was given 
originally to Abraham, (Gen, 17:10. 11). 



cause I made a whole man well on th6 
sabbath? 24 Judge not according to ap- 
pearance, but judge righteous judgment." 

25 Some, therefore, of those of Jerusa- 
lem said, "Is not This He Whom they are 
seeking to kill? 26 And, behold. He is 
speaking openl.y, and they say nothing 
to Him! Did the rulers ever truly know 
that This is the Christ? 27 But as to 
This Man we know whence He is; but, 
when the Christ cometh, no one knows 
whence He is." 28 Jesus, therefore, cried 
in the temple, teaching and saying, "Ye 
both know Me, and know whence I am; 
and I have not come of Myself; but He 
Who sent Me is true. Whom ye know not. 
29 I know Him; because I am from Him, 
and He sent Me." 30 The.y were seeking, 
therefore, to seize Him; and no one laid 
his hand upon Him, because His hour had 
not yet come. 31 But of the multitude 
many believed on Him, and said, "When 
the Christ shall come, will he do more 
signs than those which This Man did?" 
32 The Pharisees heard the multitude 
murmuring these things concerning Him; 
and the high priests and the Pharisees sent 
officers to seize Him. 33 Jesus, there- 
fore, said, "Yet a little while am I with 
you, and I go to Him Who sent Me. 34 
Ye will seek Me, and will not find Me; 
and, where I am, ye cannot come." 35 
The Jews, therefore, said among them- 
themselves, "Where is This Man about to 
go, that we shall not find Him? Is He 
about to go to the Dispersion among the 
Greeks, and teach the Greeks? 36 What 
is this word that He said, ' Ye will seek 
Me, and will not find Me; and where I 
am, ye cannot come?'" 

37 Now, on the last day, the great day 

24 According to appearance; or from a partial view of the 
case. Judge righteous judgment; make a righteous decision, 
after taking into account all the facts, 

27 WeUnow whence He is; they knew where Jesus was 
brought up, but they knew not His divine origen. They 
knew that He was to be of the seed of David, and of the 
village of Bethlehem ; and so He was, but they were ignor- 
ant of the latter fact. 

30 Because His hour had not yetenme; it was impossi- 

e for the Jews to capture Jesus, until the appointed mo- 
ment came. 

Te will seek Mc; in time of your distress; but ye will 
not find Me. If people will not seek the Lord when He 
may be found, they will seek Him in vain, later. 

On the Zost day of the feast; the closing day of the 
feast.- It is said that on this day water was brought and 
poured in abundance on the altar. This may have sug- 



JOHN 



139 



of the feast, Jesus stood, and cried, say- 
ing, " If anyone thirst, let him come to Me 
and drink. 38 He that beheves on ^ Me 
as the Scripture said, from within him 
shall flow rivers of living water." 39 But 
this He spake concerning the Spirit, Whom 
those who believed on Him were about to 
receive; for the Spirit was not yet given 
because Jesus was not yet glorified. 40 
Some of the multitude, therefore, having 
heard these words, said, "Truly This is 
the Prophet;" 41 others said, ' ' This is the 
Christ;" but some said, "What! doth the 
Christ come out of Nazareth!" 42 Did 
Bot the Scriptures say, that the Christ com 
eth of the seed of David, and from the 
village of Bethlehem?" 43 A division, 
therefore, arose in the multitude because 



1 Gr. Into. 2 Gr. Out of his belhj. 



of Him. 44 And some of them were wish- 
ing to seize Him; but no one laid hands on 
Him. 

45 The ofl3.cers, therefore, came to the 
high priests and Pharisees, and they said 
to them, "Why did ye not bring Him?" 
46 The officers answered, " Never did man 
speak thus ! " 47 The Pharisees, therefore, 
answered them, " Have ye also been led 
astray ? 48 Did any one of the rulers be- 
lieve on Him, or of the Pharisees? 49 
But this multitude, who know not the law, 
are accursed." 50 Nicodemus says to them 
(he who came to Him before, being one of 
them), 51 "Does our law judge a man, 
unless it first hear from him, and know 
what he does?" 52 They answered, and 
said to him, "Are you also of Galilee? 
Search, and see, that out of Galilee arises 
no prophet." 



gested the figure of water. If any one thirsts; if any one 
is thirsting for the waters of salvation. 

38, .S9 Rivers of living Water; here we have the idea of 
rivers of living water issuing from some thirsty soul that 
came to Jesus and drank. This is a great increase over 
the well in John 4:14; and it pictures one who is greatly 
used in the salvation and edification of others. Here is a 
picture of the ideal worker. Think of a Nile, a Mississippi, 
and an Amazon, all issuing from one person, and blessing 
millionsl God is looking for some man who is willing to 
he entirely emptied of self, and be filled with all the ful- 
ness of God, (Eph. 3:16-19). 



42 Seed of David; Ps. 133:11; Jer. 23:5. The village of 
Bethlehem; Mic. 5:2; Matt. 3:6. Both of these prophecies 
were literally fulfilled ; but the bigoted scribes and Phari- 
sees were ignorant of the facts. 

49 This people, who know not the law, are accursed; the 
Pharisees and their supporters were accursed because 
they were ignorant of the facts, and because they had 
hearts full of prejudice and hatred. 

50 Nicodemus; ch. 3:2. One of them; one of the rulers 
of the Jewish nation. 

52 Out of Galilee arises no prophet : and yet the greatest 
Prophet, Priest, and King, did come from Galilee. 



CHAPTER VIII. 

[53 And each one went to his house; 1 
but Jesus went to the mount of Olives. 

2 And early in the morning He came 
again into the temple, and all the people 
came to Him; and, having sat down. He 
was teaching them. 3 And the scribes 
and the Pharisees bring to Him a woman 
taken in adultery; and, having placed her 
in the midst, 4 they say to Him, ' ' Teach- 
er, this woman was taken in adultery, in 
the very act. 5 Now in the law Moses 
commanded us to stone such; what, there- 
fore, dost Thou say ? " 6 This they said, 
trying Him, that they might have whereof 
to accuse Him. But Jesus, having stooped 
down, was writing with His finger on 
the ground. 7 And, as they continued 
asking Him, He, having raised Himself 



up, said to them, "Let the sinless one 
among you first cast a stone at her." 

8 And, again stooping down. He was 
writing with His finger on the ground. 

9 And they, having heard it^ were go- 
ing out, one by one, from the eldest to 
the last; and Jesus was left alone, and 
the woman, where she was, in the midst. 

10 And Jesus, having lifted Himself up, 
said to her, 'Woman, where are they? 
Did no one condemn you?" 11 She said, 
"No one. Lord." And Jesus said to her, 
"Neither do I condemn you; go your 
way; henceforth sin no more."]* 

12 Again, therefore, Jesus spake to 
them, saying, "I am the Light of the 
world: he that follows Me shall not walk 
in the darkness, but shall have the Light 



* The best Mss. omit the words in brackets. 



NOTES ON CHAPTER VIII. 

5 ikfoses infhcZaw; Lev. 20:10. 

7 Let the sinless one . . . first cast a stone at her; but 
there was no such person among her accusers, (see Deut. 
17:7). 



Neither do 1; Jesus did not sit in judgment against 
the woman. He did not justify her sin; but he was will- 
ing to take no part in convicting her under such witnesses 
as those who had accused her. 
13 The Light of the world; ch. 1 :4-9. 



140 



JOHN 



of_ life." 13 The Pharisees, therefore, 
said to Him, "Thou testifiest concerning 
Thyself; Thy testimony is not true." 14 
Jesus answered and said to them, "Even 
if I do testify concerning Myself, My tes 
timony is true; because I know whence I 
came, and whither I go; but ye know not 
whence I came, or whither I go. 15 Ye 
judge according to the flesh; I judge no 
man. 16 But, even if I judge, My judg- 
ment is true; because I am not alone, but 
I and the Father Who sent Me. 17 And 
in your law also it has been written, 'The 
testimony of two men is true.' 18 I am 
One Who testify concerning Myself; and 
the Father, Who sent Me, testifieth con- 
cerning Me." 19 They said, therefore, 
to Him, "Where is Thy Father?" Jesus 
answered, "Ye know neither Me, nor My 
Father. If ye knew Me, ye would know 
My Father also." 20 These words He 
spake in the treasury, while teaching in 
the temple; and no one seized Him, be- 
cause His hour had not yet come. 

21 He said, therefore, again to them, 
"I go away, and ye will seek Me, and 
will die in your sins. Whither I go, ye 
cannot come." 22 The Jews, therefore, 
said, "Will He kill Himself?" because 
He said, "Whither I go, ye cannot come." 
23 And He said to them, "Ye are from 
beneath; I am from above. Ye are of 
this world; I am not of this world. 24 1 
said, therefore, to you, that ye will die in 
your sins; for, unless ye believe that I am 
^g, ye will die in your sins." 25 They said, 
therefore, to Him, "Who art Thou?" 



Jesus said to them, "Even that which I 
am saying to you from the beginning. 2& 
I have many things to speak and to judge 
concerning you. But He Who sent Me is 
true; and the things which I heard from 
Him, these I speak to the world." 27 
They perceived not that He was speaking- 
to them of the Father. 28 Jesus, there- 
fore, said, "When ye lift up the Son of 
Man, then will ye know that I am He; 
and, of Myself, I do nothing, but, as the 
Father taught Me, I speak these things. 

29 And He Who sent Me is with Me. He 
hath not left Me alone; because I am al- 
ways doing the things that please Him." 

30 As He spake these things, many be- 
lieved on Him. 

31 Jesus, therefore, said to those Jews 
who had believed on Him, " If ye abide in 
My word, ye are truly My disciples; 32 
and ye will know the truth, and the truth 
w-ill make you free." 33 They answered 
Him, "We are Abraham's seed, and to no 
one have we at any time been in bondage ; 
how sayest Thou, 'Ye shall be made f ree ?' " 
34 Jesus answered them, "Verily, verily, 
I say to you, every one who commits sin 
is a slave of sin. 35 And the slave abides 
not in the house forever; the son abides 
forever. 36 If, therefore, the Son shall 
make you free, ye will be free indeed. 37 
I know that ye are Abraham's seed; but 
ye are seeking to kill Me, because My word 
has no place in you. 38 I speak the things 
which I have seen with My Father; and ye, 
therefore, do the things which ye heard 
from your father. 39 They answered and 



14 My testimnny is true; the fact that Jesus was divine 
made it impossible for Him to lie. When He said, in ch. 
5:31. "If I testify of Myself, My testimony is not true." 
He was speaking of the value of human testimony accord- 
ing to human rules. 

1 5 Te judge according to the flesh; under the power of 
human weakness, ignorance, and prejudice. I judge nn 
one; Jesus came, not to judge the world, but to save the 
world, (ch. 3:17; 12:47). When He comes with His saints, 
He will then judge the world. (Matt. 25:31-46). 

19 If ye knew Me . . . My Father also; the Father and 
the Son are so one. that to know the Son is to know the 
Father also. (ch. 14:9. 10). 

24 Unless ve believe that lam Be; as Christ is the real 
Sin-offering, it is necessary to believe in Him as (Tie Mes- 
siah, if one would get rid of his sins. To believe in a Mes- 
siah, will not answer. 

25 Even that which I am saying from the beginning ; He 
here reaffirms all that He had hitherto declared concern- 
ing Himself. 

28 Jjift up the Son of Man; on the cross. By divine 
appointment the crucifixion and resurrection of Christ 



lifted Him to the place of universal authority, (eh. 12:32; 
Matt. 28:18). 

32 The truth will make you free; Christ is the Truth 
that brings freedom from sin. Satan, and death, (ch. 14:6). 
To no one have we yet been in bondage; and yet they 
were political vassals of Rome, the degraded slaves of sin, 
and servants of the Devil. 

35 The slave abides not in the house forever; the slave 
was subject to dismissal; and. in any event, his place was 
not permanent. The son; the rightful heir, (see Gal. 4: 
22-31). 

36 If the Son; the Son of God. and Ruler of His Father's 
house. Shall make vou free; free from sin and all its evil 
consequences; free from the bondage of the law; He will 
give you His own everlasting life; fill you with the Holy 
Spirit; fill you with all the fullness of God. Here is real 
freedom. 

Abraham's seed; literally, but not in the sense in 

which the promises were made to Abraham, (Gen. 12:3; 

1; 22:18; Gal. 3:14. 18,29). 

39 // ye are children of Abraham, ye are doing the works of 

Abraham; but ye are not doing his works; therefore, ye 

are riot his true children. 



JOHN 



141 



said to Him, ''Our father is Abraham." 
Jesus saith to them, ""If ye are children 
of Abraham, ye are doing the works of 
Abraham. 40 But now ye are seeking to 
kill Me, a Man Who hath told you the 
truth, which I heard from My Father: 
this Abraham did not, 41 Ye do the works 
of your father." They say to Him, "We 
Avere not born of fornication; we have one 
Father — God." 42 Jesus said to them, *' If 
God were your Father, ye would love Me; 
ior I came forth, and have come from, God; 
for neither have I come of Myself, but 
He sent Me. 43 Why do ye not under- 
stand My speech? it is because ye cannot 
hear My word. 44 Ye are of your father 
the Devil; and the desires of your father 
ye wish to do. He was a murderer from 
the beginning, and has not stood in the 
truth, because there is no truth in him. 
When he speaks a lie, he speaks of his own; 
because he is a liar, and the father of it. 
45 And, because I speak the truth, ye be- 
lieve Me not. 46 Who of you convicts 
Me of sin? If I speak truth, why do 
ye not believe Me ? 47 He that is of God 
hears the words of God; on this account, 
ve hear them not, because ye are not of 
God." 

48 The Jews answered and said to Him, 
' ' Say we not well that Thou art a Samari- 



tan, and hast a demon?" 49 Jesus an- 
swered, "I have not a demon; but I honor 
My Father, and ye dishonor Me. 50 But 
I seek not My own glory: there is One 
Who seeketh and judgeth. 51 Verily, 
verily, I say to you, if any one keeps My 
word, he shall never see death." 62 The 
Jews said to Him, "'Now we know that 
Thou hast a demon! Abraham and the 
prophets died; and Thou sayest, 'If any 
one keeps My word, he shall never taste of 
death!' 53 Art Thou greater than our 
father Abraham, who died? Whom mak- 
est Thou Thyself?" 54 Jesus answered, 
"If I glorify Myself, My glory is nothing. 
It is My Father Who glorifieth Me, of 
Whom ye say, that He is your God. 55 
And ye have not known Him, but I know 
Him; and, if I should sfiy, I know Him 
not, I shall be a liar like you. But I know 
Him, and I keep His word. 56 Abraham, 
your father, rejoiced to see My day; and 
he saw it, and was glad." 57 The Jews, 
therefore, said to Him, "Thou art not yet 
fifty years old, and hast Thou seen Abra- 
ham?" 68 Jesus said to them, "Ver- 
ily, verily, I say to you, before Abraham 
existed,^ I am." They took up stones, 
therefore, to cast at Him; but Jesus was 
concealed, and went out of the temple. 



1 Or, 



•.into existence. 



44 Te are of your father, the Devil: this seems thorough- 
ly to refute the idea of the ' ' universal fatherhood of God ' ' 
The new birth, (oh. 3:3. 5) makes one a child of God. A 
murderer from the beoinning; from the beginning of our 
race. Satan deceived Eve. and led her to sin ; and sin. thus 
introduced into the world, has led to countless murders. 
All the murders of earth trace back to Satan. 

48 A-Samantan; a Samaritan was a most odious object 
to a Jew. 

50 Who seeketh and judgeth; meaning the Father. Who 
would honor His Son, and condemn His enemies. 



51 Shall never see death: shall never realize spiritual death. 

5t If I glorify Myself: if all I say is not ratified by My 
Father, then it would amount to nothing. 

56 Abraham rejoiced to see My day: the patriarch saw, in 
prophetic vision, or by faith, the Seed that was to bless all 
nations; and Christ was that Seed. 

58 Before Abraham existed: or ■vra.s'boxn. /om/ this de- 
notes eternal self-existence, (Ex. 3:14; oh. 1:1,3; Col. 1:17; 
Heb. 1:6.8; Rev. 1:8). 

59 Jesus teas concealed: was instantly concealed from the 
vision of the irate Jews. 



CHAPTER IX. 

1 And, passing along, he saw a man 
"blind from his birth. 2 And His disciples 
asked Him, saying, "Rabbi, who sinned, 
this man or his parents, that he was born 
blind?" 3 Jesus answered, "Neither did 
this man sin, nor his parents; but that the 
works of God should be made manifest in 

NOTES ON CHAPTER IX. 
3 Neither: neither the blind man nor his parents 
sinned, so as to cause him to be born blind ; but he was 
Ijorn blind, that God might display His mighty power in 
giving him sight— a power that He has never seen lit to 
revoke. 



him. 4 We must work the works of Him 
Who sent Me, while it is day. Night is 
coming, when no one can work. 5 When 
I am in the world, I am the Light of the 
world." 6 Having thus spoken, He spit on 
the ground, and made clay of the spittle, 
and anointed^ his eyes with the clay, 7 



1 Gr. Placed the clay upon. 

4 TTemiist/ this "we" possibly includes the Father. There 
was a certain line of work laid out for Jesus to do while 
on earth, and both the Son and the Father were concerned 
to do that work. Giving sight to this blind man seems to 
have been one of these works. 

5 I am the Light of the world; John 1:9; 8:12. 



142 



JOHN 



and said to him, "Go, wash in the pool of 
Siloam" (which is interpreted, SentJ. He 
went, therefore, and washed, and came 
seeing. 8 The neighbors, therefore, and 
those formerly beholding him, that he was 
a beggar, said, "Is not this he that sits 
and begs?" 9 Some said, "This is he;" 
others said^ "No, but he is like him;" he 
said, "lamAe." 10 They said, therefore, 
to him, "How were your eyes opened?" 
11 He answered, "TheMan Who is called 
Jesus made clay, and anointed my eyes, 
and said to me, 'Go to Siloam, and wash;' 
having gone, therefore, and washed, I re- 
ceived sight." 12 And they said to him, 
"Where is He?" He says, "I know not." 
13 They bring to the Pharisees hira who 
wOjS once blind. 14 And it was a sabbath 
on the day when Jesus made the clay, and 
anointed his eyes. 15 Again, therefore, 
the Pharisees also asked him, how he re- 
ceived sight. And he said to them, ' ' He 
put clay upon my eyes, and I washed, and 
I see." 16 Some of the Pharisees, there- 
fore, said, "This Man is not frora God, 
because He does not keej) the sabbath." 
Others said, "How can a man who is a 
sinner do such signs ? " And there was a 
division among them. 17 They say, there- 
fore, to the blind man again, "What do 
you say about Him, seeing that He opened 
your eyes?" And he said, "He is a 
Prophet." 18 The Jews, therefore, did 
not believe concerning him, that he was 
blind, and received sight, until they called 
the parents of him who received sight, 19 
and asked them, "Is this your son, who 
ye say, was born blind? How, then, does 
he now see?" 20 His parents, therefore, 
answered and said, "We know that this 
is our son, and that he was born blind; 
21 but how he now sees, we do not know. 
Ask him; he is of age; he will speak for 
himself." 22 These things said his par- 
ents, because they were fearing the Jews; 
for the Jews had agreed already, that, if 
any one should confess Him to le Christ, 



he should be put out of the synagogue. 
23 On this account, his parents said, "He 
is of age; ask him." 24 Therefore, they 
called a second time the man who was 
blind, and said to him, "Give glory to 
God: we know that this Man is a sinner." 
25 He, therefore, answered, "Whether 
He is a sinner, I know not: one thing I 
know, that, though I 'was blind, now I 
see." 26 They said, therefore, to him, 
"What did He do to you? how did He open 
your eyes?" 27 He answered them, "I 
told you already, and ye did not hear; 
why do ye wish to hear it again? Do ye 
also wish to become His disciples?" 28 
And they reviled him, and said, "You are 
His disciple; but we are disciples of 
Moses. 29 We know that God hath spoken 
to Moses; but, as to this Man, we know 
not whence He is," 30 The man answered 
and said to them, "Why, in this is the 
wonder, that ye do not know whence He 
is, and He opened my eyes. 31 We know 
that God heareth not sinners; but, if any 
one is a worshiper of God, and does His 
will, him He heareth. 32 From remotest 
antiquity, it was never heard that any one 
opened the eyes of one bom blindl 33 
If this Man were not frora God, He could 
do nothing. " 34 They answered and said 
to him, "You were altogether born in 
sins, and do you teach usl" And they 
cast him out. 

35 Jesus heard that they cast him out; 
and, finding him, He said, "Do you be- 
lieve on the Son of God?" 36 And He 
answered, and said, "And Who is He, 
Lord, that I may believe on Him?" 37 
Jesus said to him, "You have both 'seen 
Him, and it is He Who is talking with 
you." 38 Andhesaid, "Lord, I believe." 
And he worshiped Hina. 39 And Jesus 
said, "For judgment came I into the 
world; that those who see not may see, 
and that those who see may become blind." 
40 Some of the Pharisees who were with 
Him heard these things, and said to Him, 



7 Fool of Siloam; see note on Luke 13:4. The /neaning 
of the word Siloam is Sent, because its water was sent or 
conducted to it. 

16 Does not keep the saVbath; according to their silly 
notions of keeping it, but He kept it as He. the Lord of 
the sabbath, saw fit. Some even now seem to worship 
the day, rather than God Himself I 

21 He is of age; literally, he has adult age. 

22 Put out of the synagogue; excluded from the privi- 
lege of worshiping in the synagogue. This was one of the 



penalties that the Pharisees had resolved to inflict upon 
all who might acknowledge the Messiahship of Christ 

33 The speech of the man who received his sight dis- 
played far greater reason and depth of discernment, than 
his opposers displayed. 

39 For judgment; that those who recognize their need 
may be supplied ; and that those who are wilfully ignor- 
ant of their needs, may sink into deeper blindness, and put 
theniselves where relief becomes imiwssible. Those hat- 
ing light get into greater darkness. 



JOHN 



143 



"Are we also bjind?" 41 Jesus said to 
them, ''If ye were blind, ye would have 



41 If ye were blind: had no capacity to receive light. 
Te would fiave no nin; for, in the event they had heen 
blind, they would have been no more responsible than an 



CHAPTEK X. 

1 "Verily, verily, I say to you, he that 
enters not through the door into the fold 
of the sheep, but climbs up some other 
way, he is a thief and a robber. 2 But he 
that enters through the door is shepherd 
of the sheep. 3 To him the porter opens, 
and the sheep hear his voice; and he calls 
his own sheep by name, and leads them 
out. 4 When he drives out all his own, 
he goes on before them, and the sheep fol- 
low him; because they know his voice. 5 
But a stranger they will in no wise follow, 
but will flee from him; because they know 
not the voice of strangers." 6 This para- 
ble^ spake Jesus to them; but they under- 
stood not what things they were which He 
spake to them. 

7 Jesus, therefore, said to them again, 
"Verily, verily, I say to you, I am the 
door of the sheep. 8 All who came before 
Me are thieves and robbers; but the sheep 
did not hear them. 9 I am the door; 
through Me if any one enter, he shall be 
saved, and shall go in and go out, and find 
pasture. 10 The thief comes not, but that 



no sin; but now ye say, ' We see,' your sin 
abides." 



idiot. We see; their confession that they needed no more 
light, fixed their sin upon them. When one rejects Christ, 
his sins will never be forgiven. 



he may steal, and kill, and destroj^: I came, 
that they may have life, and that they may 
have it abundantly.* 11 I am the good 
shepherd. The good shepherd lays down 
his soup for the sheep. 12 The hireling, 
who also is not a shepherd, whose own the 
sheep are not, beholds the wolf coming, 
and leaves the sheep, and flees (and the 
wolf seizes them, and scatters them); 13 
because he is a hireling, and cares not for 
the sheep. 14 I am the Grood Shepherd; 
and I know My own, and My own know 
Me, 15 even as the Father knoweth Me, 
and I know the Father; and I lay down My 
soul* for the sheep. 16 And other sheep 
I have, which are not of this fold: them 
also I must bring, and they will hear My 
voice; and they shall become one flock, one 
Shepherd. 17 On this account My Father 
loveth Me, because I lay down My soul,* 
that I may take it again. 18 No one takes 
it from Me, but I lay it down of Myself. 
I have authority to lay it down, and I have 
authority to take it again. This command- 
ment I received from My Father. 

19 There arose again a division among 
the Jews because of these words. 20 And 



2 Or, have an abundancs. 3 Or, life. 



NOTES ON CHAFTER X. 

1 inters not through the door; the door, as used In this 
verse, seems to refer to the Father's appointed order. To 
enter the fold by the door is to come in under God's ap- 
pointment; and in this way Jesus entered. 

3 Se who enters through the door; every true shepherd 
BO enters ; and Christ, the Chief Shepherd, came In the 
same way, (see ch. 8:43; 12:49). 

3 The porter; the one who opened the gate, or door, to 
let the sheep in or out, according to the ancient custom 
This teaches that God appoints His own porters, or pastors 
evangelists, etc. , to receive those who enter the Kingdom 
of God. 

5 A stranger they will not follow; as a sheep trained by 
true shepherd, will not follow a stranger; so God's trained 
people will not follow false teachers. 

7 I am the door; Christ is the door into the spiritual 
Kingdom of God. All penitents, who truly believe on Him. 
pass out of the kingdom of darkness into the kingdom of 
light, through Christ. All true undershepherds receive 
their call from Christ, and are appointed by Him to their 
several stations. 

8 Came before Me; claiming to be the Messiah. The 
sheep did not hear them; the truly pious did not accept their 
teaching. 

9 Mndpasture; spiritual food and divine consolation. 



10 The thief: teaohers who are concerned about the 
fleece, but care nothing for the flook, (Jer. 23:1-6; Ezek. 
34th ch.). Thero are many false shepherds now. who are 
serving for filthy lucre, and are lording it over God's peo- 
ple. 

11 I am the good Shepherd; Christ is the door througli 
whioh people enter the fold of God; and, when they enter. 
He supplies them pasturage and protection. 

12 A hireling; one whose chief object is pay and self- 
emolument. There are many such now. who, besides dis- 
honoring the ministry by their unworthy motives in doing 
their work, stand in the way of the progress of the truth. 

14 Iknoio Mu own; Christ knows all believers, and He 
knows them as His own followers, and as His possessions: 
and His sheep know Him. The little lambs may not know 
Htm well, but the sheep know Him. 

16 Not of this fold; referring to the gentiles, or differ- 
ent nations of the earth. 

17 Lay down Mxj soul; the physical life is included in the 
soul; but it appears that Jesus did more than give up His 
physical life, (see Isa. 53:10). 

18 No one takes it from Me; Christ was commissioned to 
die in behalf of sinners ; and no on 3 could take His life from 
Him, till He got ready to lay it down. 

20 Mad; crazy, as they supposed, through the influence 
of some demon. i 



144 



JOHN 



many of them said, " He hath a demon, and 
is mad; why do ye hear Him? " 21 Others 
said, "These are not the sayings of a de- 
moniac. Can a demon open the eyes of 
the blind?" 

THE FEAST OF DEDICATION. 

22 Then occurred the feast of dedication 
in Jerusalem; and it was winter; 23 and 
Jesus was walking in the temple in Solo- 
mon's porch. 24 The Jews, therefore, 
came round about Him, and said to Him, 
*' How long dost Thou hold us in suspense ? * 
If Thou art the Christ, tell us plainly." 25 
Jesus answered them, "I told you, and ye 
did not believe: the works that I do in My 
Father's name, these testify concerning 
Me. 26 But ye believe not, because ye 
are not of My sheep. 27 My sheep hear 
My voice, and I know them, and they fol- 
low Me; 28 and I give to them eternal 
life; and they shall never perish, nor shall 
any one snatch them out of My hand. 29 
My Father, Who hath given tliem to Me, 
is greater than all, and no one is able to 
isnatch them out of the Father's hand. 30 
I and the Father are One." 31 The Jews 
took up stones again to stone Him. 32 



Gr. Lift up ow soul. 



Jesus answered them, "Many good works 
did I show you from My Father; for 
which of those works do ye atone Me?" 
33 Tlie Jews answered Him, " For a good 
work we stone Thee not, but for blas- 
phemy, and because, Thou, being a Man,' 
makest Thyself God!" 34 Jesus said to 
them, "Has it not been written in your 
law, 'I said, ye are gods?' 35 If He 
called them gods to whom the word of God 
came (and the Scripture cannot be broken), 
36 say ye of Him Whom the Father 
sanctified and sent into the world. Thou 
blasphemest, because I said, I am the Son 
of God? 37 If I do not the works of My 
Father, believe Me not; 38 but, if I do 
them, even though ye believe not Me, be- 
lieve the works; that ye may know and 
understand that the Father is in Me, and 
I in the Father." 39 Tliey were seeking, 
therefore, again to seize Him; and He 
went forth out of their hands. 

40 And He went away again beyond 
the Jordan unto the place where John was 
at first immersing; ^nd there He abode. 
41 And many came to Him, and said, 
"John, indeed, did no sign, but all things, 
whatsoever John spake concerning this 
Man, were true." 42 And many believed 
on Him there. 



23 ^east of dedication; this was a feast (of eight days) 
appointed by Judas Maccabaeus. about 165 before Christ, to 
commemorate the purification of the temple from desecra- 
tion by Antiochus Epiphanes, in offering swine's flesh on 
the altar, (Josephus, Book XII. ch. 11). 

23 -Solomon's porch; on the east side of the temple. 

25 The works; miracles. Testify concerning Me; prove 
My Messiahship. 

27 My sheep hear My voice; the believer who has wel- 
comed Christ into His heart, and has put the government 
of his being all on His shoulder, can hear His voice, and 
need not long be at a loss for guidance. 

28. 29 The Son and the Father are both pledged to pro- 
tect and save the true believer. 

30 The unity of the Son and Father are here plainly de- 
clared. They are one in Divine Essence, one in nature, 
-will, and action. 

34 Your law; the Old Testament Scriptures. Ye are 
gods; those whom God appointed to represent Him as 



judges, magistrates, governors, etc., were accounted as 
gods; as. Moses. Joshua. David, Daniel, etc. ; but the term 
always applied in a way to show that, in themselves, 
they were only men, (see Ps. 82:6; Ex. 22:9). 

Whom the Father sanctified; set apart, devoted, and 
appointed, to be the sln-oHering. Of course, the Son did 
not need to be made holy in character ; because He was al- 
ways "Holy, harmless, undefiled, and separate from sin- 
ners." (Heb. 7:26). Because I said I am the Son of Ood; if 
mere men, under divine appointment, may be called gods, 
how much more might He by Whom all worlds were made, 
(ch. 1:3; Col. 1: 16. 17), and Whom the Father had sent to 
redeem the world, be called the Son of God. 

38 The works of My Father; the works the Father 
had appointed Him to do. Believe Me not; do not believe 
Me to be the Messiah, unless My works correspond with the 
claim. 

^Yere setking again to seize Him; because He again 
claimed to be one with the Father. 



CHAPTER XI. 

LAZARUS KAISED FROM THE DEAD. 

1 Now a certain one was sick, Lazarus 
irom Bethany, of the village of Mary and 
her sister Martha. 2 And it was the 
Mary who anointed the Lord with oint- 



ment, and wiped His feet with her hair, 
whose brother Lazarus was sick. 3 The 
sisters, therefore, sent to Him, saying, 
"Lord, behold, he whom Thou lovest is 
sick." 4 And Jesus, hearing it, said, 
"This sickness is not unto death, but for 



NOTES ON CHAPTER XI. 
1 Bethany; a village a little less than two miles from 
the temple, (Matt. 21:17). 



Thii sickness is not unto death; not unto permanent 
death. Might he glorified: by the power displayed in rais- 
g.him from temporary death. 



JOHN 



145 



the glory of God, that the Son of God may 
beglorified through it. 5 Now Jesus was 
loving Martha, and her sister, and Lazarus. 
6 When, therefore, He heard that he was 
sick. He then, indeed, abode two days in 
the place where He was. 7 Then, after 
this. He saith to the disciples, "Let us go 
into Judoea again." 8 The disciples say 
to Him, "■Rabbi, the Jews were ^w.s-^ now 
seeking to stone Thee; and art Thou go- 
ing there again?" 9 Jesus answered, 
"Are there not twelve hours in the day? 
If any one walks in the day, he stumbles 
not, because he sees the light of this world; 

10 but, if any one walks in the night, he 
stumbles, because the light is not in him." 

11 These things He spake; and after this 
He saith to them, "Our friend Lazarus 
has fallen asleep; but I am going to awake 
him out of sleep." 12 The disciples, 
therefore, said to Him, "Lord, if he has 
fallen asleep, he will recover!"^ 13 Now 
Jesus had spoken concerning his death; 
but they thought He spake of taking rest 
in sleep. 14 Then, therefore, Jesus said 
to them plainly, "Lazarus died. 15 And 
I am glad, for your sakes, (in order that 
ye may believe), that I was not there. 
But let us go to him." 16 Thomas, w^ho 
is called Dydimus, said, therefore, to His 
fellow-disciples, "Let us also go, that we 
may die with Him."^ 

17 Jesus, therefore, having come, found 
that he had already been four days in the 
tomb. 18 Now Bethany was near to Jeru- 
salem, about fifteen furlongs distant, 19 
And many of the Jews had come to Mar- 
tha and Mary, to comfort them concern- 
ing their brother. 20 Martha, therefore, 
when she heard that Jesus was coming. 



met Him; but Mary was sitting in the 
house. 21 Martha, therefore, said to Jesus, 
"Lord, if Thou hadst been here, my 
brother would not have died; 22 and now 
I know that, whatsoever Thou shalt ask of 
God, God will give Thee." 23 Jesus saith 
to her, "Your brother shall rise again." 
24 Martha says to Him, "I know that he 
will rise again, in the resurrection at the 
last day." 25 Jesus saith to her, "lam 
the resurrection and the life; he that be- 
lieves on^ Me, though he die, yet shall he 
live; 26 and whosoever lives and believes 
on* Me shall never die. Do you believe 
this ? " 27 She says to Him, " Yea, Lord; 
I have believed that Thou art the Christ, 
the Son of God, He Who ^oas to come into 
the world." 28 And, saying this, she 
went away, and called Mary her sister pri- 
vately, saying, "The Teacher is present, 
and calleth for you." 29 And she, when 
she heard it, arose quickly, and went to 
Him. (30 Now Jesus had not yet come 
into the village, but was still in the place 
where Martha met Him.) 31 The Jews, 
therefore, who were with her in the house, 
and were comforting her, seeing Mary, 
that she rose up quickly and went out, fol- 
lowed her, supposing that she was going 
to the tomb, to weep there. 32 Mary, 
therefore, when she came where Jesus 
was, seeing Him, fell at His feet, saying 
to Him, "Lord, if Thou hadst been here, 
my brother would not have died! " 33 
Jesus, therefore, when He saw her weep- 
ing, and the Jews weeping who came with 
her, groaned in the spirit, and troubled 
Himself; 34 and He said, "Where have 
ye laid Him ? " They say to Him, ' ' Lord, 
come and see." 35 Jesus wept. 36 The 



Gr. ^yiU be saved. 2 Or, him. 



8 Gr. Into. 



5 Jesus was loving; Jesus loved them permanently, and 
not merely with a fleeting affection. 

6 Where He was; in Bethany, or Bethabara, on the east 
of the Jordan, and about thirty miles north-east of Jeru- 
salem, (see ch. 1 :28). 

9 Twelve hours in the day; the appointed time for work. 
Sturnblcs not; the person who walks in the day stumbles 
not; meaning- that so long as one keeps, within God's al- 
lotted order for him, nothing can hurt him. So nothing 
oould hurt Christ, until the time for Him to surrender 
Himself to death 

15 I am, glad ... I was not there; thus implying, it 
seems, that, if He had been present with the family at 
Bethany. Lazarus would not have died; and, in this event, 
the disciples would not have witnessed this miracle. 

16 Die with Him; this refers, likely, to Christ, whose 
life was imperiled while in the vicinity of Jerusalem. It 
seems that Thomas took it for granted that, it Jesus went 



to Bethany, He would be killed; and he seemed to be will- 
ing to die with Him. 

Tour lirother will rise again; this may have a double 
first, referring to his speedy resurrection to 
physical life; and. later, to his resurrection to eternal life. 

25, 26 f am the resurrection; the Author of the resurrec- 
tion and of life. Though he die; physical death does not 
extinguish spiritual life. The circumstance of laying 
aside this clay tabernacle is a small thing to one who has' 
lite in Christ; for the Christ-life willcontinue to live right 
on. after the body crumbles to dust. 

33 Groaned in the spirit; He was deeply sympathetic 
with the bereaved and suffering. TroubUd Himself; was 
greatly moved by the conditions then pressing upon Him, 
Jesus wept; His humanity tied Him on to our race, 
and His compassion often led Him to put forth His 
mighty power to relieve the suffering. Here His sympa- 
thy mightily moved Him. 



146 



JOHN 



Jews, therefore, said, ' ' Behold, how He was 
loving* himl 37 And some of them said,. 

Could not This Man, Who opened the 
eyes of the blind, have caused that even 
this man should not die?" 38 Jesus, 
therefore, again groaning in Himself, Com- 
eth to the tomb. Now it was a cave, and 
a stone was lying on it. 39 Jesus saith, 
"Take ye away the stone." The sister of 
the deceased, Martha, says to Him, "Lord, 
already he is decaying; for he has been dead 
four days." 40 Jesus saith to, her, "Did 
I not say to you that, if you would be- 
lieve, you should see the glory of God ? " 
41 So they took away the stone. And 
Jesus lifted up His eyes, and said, ' ' Father, 
I thank Thee, because Thou didst hear 
Me. 42 And I know that Thou always 
hearest Me; but, because of the multitude 
standing around, I said it, that they may 
believe that Thou didst send Me." 43 
And, having spoken these words, He cried 
with aloud voice, "Lazarus, come forth! " 
44 He that was dead came forth, bound 
feet and hands with grave-clothes; and 
his face was bound about with a napkin. 
Jesus saith to them, "Loose him, and let 
him go." 

45 Many, therefore, of the Jews who 
came to Mary and beheld what He did, 
believed on Him; 46 but some of them 
went away to the Pharisees, and told them 
what Jesus did. 47 The high priests, 
therefore, and the Pharisees gathered a 
council,^ and said, "What are we doing? 



4 Or. hou) fond He was of him. 5 Gr, Sankedrin. 



because This Man is doing many signs. 
48 If we let Him thus alone, all will be. 
lieve on Him; and the Romans will come, 
and take away both our place and our na- 
tion. 49 But a certain one of them, 
Caiaphas, being high priest that year, said, 
"Ye know nothing at all; 50 nor do ye 
consider that it is expedient for you, that 
one man should die for all the people, 
and that the whole nation perish not." 51 
And this he said not of himself; but, be- 
ing high priest that year, he prophesied 
that Jesus was about to die for that na- 
tion; 52 and not for that nation only, 
but that He might also gather together 
into one the children of God that are 
scattered abroad. 53 From that day, 
therefore, they took counsel, that they 
might put Him to dekth. 

54 Jesus, therefore, was no longer 
openly walking about among the Jews; 
but He went away thence into the coun- 
try near to the wilderness, to a city called 
Ephraim, and there He abode with the 
disciples. 55 Now the passover of the 
Jews was near; and many went up to Je- 
rusalem out of the country before the 
passover, that they might purify them- 
selves. 56 They were, therefore, seeking 
for Jesus, and were saying one with an- 
other, while standing in the temple, 
" What think ye? That He will not come to 
the feast?" 57 Now the high priests and 
the Pharisees had given orders, that, if 
any one knew where He was, he should 
show it, that they might seize Him. 



36 Behold how He was loving him; this is not tlie same 
as the word translated love in v. 5, where it is said, "Jesus 
was loving Martha, and her sister, and Lazarus ; ' ' but it de- 
notes friendliness, or fondness for one. " Behold how/ond 
He was of Mm!" 

39 Take ye away the stone: this was all that the parties 
present could do; hut Jesus required them to do what they 
could. He alone could call the spirit back into the body of 
the dead, and vitalize the dead body. God's true ministers 
are co-workers with Him in ministering to the spirits, 
souls, and bodies, of men. 

41 If you would believe, you should see the glory of God; 
those who truly believe God here in this present life see 
much of His glory revealed in His mighty power displayed 
in the salvation, sanctification, and healing of those who 
come under a truly Spirit-filled ministry. 

42 Because of the multitude standing around; it was the 
Savior's purpose, in speaking thus to the Father, to ad- 
duce additional proof of His Messiahship. that the people 
might believe. The answer to His prayer in the raising of 
Lazarus would indicate His oneness with the Father, and 
His own veracity in putting forth such a claim. 

45 Many helieved on Him ; as the Messiah. 



47 What are we doing; to offset or check His growing 
influence. 

48 AH will Relieve on Him; they pretended to believe 
that the general acceptance of Jesus by the Jews, would 
bring down upon them the wrath of the Roman gov- 
ernment; hence they must kill Jesus as a matter of expe- 
diency 1 Take away our place and nation; to avert such a 
fate, they were willing to kill Jesus; but for the crime of 
killing Him, the Jews have suffered countless horrors for 
nearly nineteen centuries I 

49-51 Te know nothing at all; about the best method 
of averting the impending evils. It is expedient: it 
is profitable that one should die for all the people; 
whether He is guilty or innocent. Caiaphas prophesied 
wiser than he knew; and he announced the great principle 
of vicarious suffering, because of which many would be 
saved. 

53 From that day; this shows how they understood the 
speech of Caiaphas, and they were emboldened to take 
steps that would lead to the speedy death of Jesus. Kelig- 
ious zealots are incapable of exercising sober judgment. 

54, Near the wilderness; bordering on the Dead Sea. 
known as the wilderness of Judsea. 



JOHN 



14T 



CHAPTER XII. 

THE AXOIXTING AT BETHANY. 

1 Jesus, therefore, six days before the 
passover, came to Bethany, where Laza- 
rus was, whom Jesus raised from the dead. 
2 They, therefore, made Him a supper 
there; and Martha was serving; but Laz- 
arus was one of those reclining' at table 
with Him. 3 Mary, therefore, having 
taken a pound of ointment of pure spi-ke 
nard, very costly, anointed the feet of 
Jesus, and wiped His feet with her hair. 
4 But Judas Iscariot, one of His disciples, 
who was about to betray Him, says, 5 
''Why was not this ointment sold for 
three hundred denaries, and given to the 
poor?" Andhesaid this, not because he 
cared about the poor; but because he was a 
thief; and, having tho money-box,^ he 
was wont to carry what was put therein. 
7 Jesus, therefore, said, "Suffer her to 
keep it for the day of My burial; 8 
for the poor ye always have with you, but 
Me ye have not always." 

9 The great multitude, therefore, of the 
Jews knew that He was there; and they 
came, not because of Jesus only, but that 
they might see Lazarus, whom He raised 
from the dead. 10 But the high priests 
consulted, that they might slay Lazarus 
also; 11 because, on his account, many 
of the Jews were going away, and were be- 
lieving on Jesus. 

THE TRIUMPH AT. ENTRY. 

12 On the morrow a great multitude 
that had come to the feast, having heard 
that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem, 13 
took the branches of the palm trees, and 



went forth to meet Him, and cried, "Ho- 
sanna! blessed is He Who is coming in 
the name of the Lord, even the King of 
Israel!" 14 And Jesus, having found a 
young ass, sat upon it; as it has been 
written, 15 "Fear not, daughter of Zion; 
behold, your King is coming upon an ass' 
colt." 16 These things His disciples did 
not understand at the first; but, when 
Jesus was glorified, then they remem- 
bered that these things had been written 
about Him, and that they did these things to 
Him. 17 The multitude, therefore, that 
was with Him when He called Lazarus out 
of the tomb, and raised him from the dead, 
was bearing testimony. 18 On this ac- 
count also, the multitude met Him, be- 
cause they heard that He had dene this 
sign. 19 The Pharisees, therefore, said 
among themselves, "Ye see that ye are 
effecting nothing! Behold, the world went 
after Him!" 



THE HOUR HAS COME. HIS FINAL APPEAL, 
TO THE JEWS. 

20 And there were some Greeks among 
those who came up to worship at the feast. 
21 These, therefore, came to Philip — who 
was from Bethsaida of Galilee — and were 
asking Him, saying, ' ' Sir, we wish to see 
Jesus." 22 Philip comes and tells An- 
drew; Andrew and Philip come and tell 
Jesus. 23 And Jesus answereth them, 
saying, "The hour has come, that the Son 
of Man should be glorified. 24 Verily, 
verily, I say to you, unless the grain of 
wheat, having fallen into the ground, dies, 
it abides alone; but, if it dies, it bears 
much fruit. 25 He who loves his souP 



2 Or, life. 



NOTES ON CHAPTER XIL 

2-8 Mary anoints the Savior^s feet; Matt. 26:6-13; Mark 
14:3-0. 

2 Martha was serving; -where there was work to do, 
Martha might be depended upon to do her part. 

Z Mary; Mary was not so domestic, hut she was taken 
up with Christ's teachings, or was intent on doing some 
personal service. 

'j Three hundred denaries; see note on Matt. 26:9. 

6 ifoney-liox; the bag, or common purse. 

11 On His account; Lazarus, being a living example of 
the mighty power of Jesus, was exerting a potent influ- 
ence to win disciples to Him. 

12-10 Christ rides into Jerusalem; Matt. 21:1-16; Mark 
11:1-11; Luke 19:29-44 

16 When Jesus was glorified; when He ascended to 
Heaven, (Acts 1:9). 

17 Was bearing testimony; they witnessed to the Tact 
that Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead. 



18 Met Him; the multitude wished to see the Man Who 
raised the dead. 

19 Te are effecting nothing; availing nothing towards 
checking the growing popularity of Jesus. 

20 Greeks; persons speaking the Greek language, or 
those belonging to the Grecian race, but not to be con- 
founded with the "Helenistic Jews," (Acts 6:1; 9:29). 

23 The hour has come; the great crisis, when the sin- 
offering was to be made. This was suggested by the com- 
ing of these Greeks. Should he glorified; through death, 
resurrection, and ascension to Heaven. 

24 Abides alone; continues a single grain. Its death is 
essential to its increase. So the death of Christ was nec- 
essary to the extention and multiplication of His life, and 
to the great harvest of souls that have received life in 
Him. The disciple, too. must die to sin and self, it the 
Christ-life in him is to grow to perfection, 

25 ITe who loves his soul; his natural self-life. See note 
on Matt. 16:24, 25. Had Jesus loved His own soul, and kept 



148 



JOHN 



loses it; and he who hates his souP in this 
world will keep it unto life' eternal, 26 
If any one serve Me, let him follow Me; 
and where I am there will also My servant 
be. If anyone serve Me, him will My Father 
honor. 27 Now My soul has become 
troubled; and what shall I say? Father, 
save Me from this hour. But for this 
cause came I to this hour. 28 Father, 
glorify Thy Name!" There came, there- 
fore, a voice out of Heaven, "I both glo- 
rified it, and will glorify it again." 29 
The multitude, therefore, who stood by 
and heard it^ said that it had thundered; 
others said, "An angel has spoken to 
Him." 30 Jesus answered and said, 
"This voice has not come for My sake, 
but for your sakes. 31 Now is the judg- 
ment of this world; now will the Prince 
of this world be cast out; 32 and I, if 
I be lifted up from the earth, will draw 
all men to Myself." 33 But this He 
said, signifying by what manner of death 
He was about to die. 34 The multi- 
tude, therefore, answered Him, "We 
have heard out of the law that the Christ 
abideth forever; and how sayest Thou 
that the Son o'f Man must be lifted up? 
Who is This Son of Man? " 35 Jesus, 
therefore, said to them, "Yet a little 
while is the Light among you. Walk 
while ye have the Light, lest darkness 
overtake you; and he that walks in the 
darkness knows not where he is going. 36 



2 Or, life. 3 Gr. Zoee, life. 



While ye have the Light, believe on the 
Light, that ye may become sons of Light." 

These things spake Jesus, and, going 
away, He was hidden from them. 37 But, 
though He had done so many signs before 
them, they were not believing on Him; 38 
that the word of Isaiah the prophet might 
be fulfilled, which He spake, "Lord, who 
believed our report ? and to Avhom was the 
arm of the Lord revealed?" 39 On this 
account they could not believe, because 
Isaiah said again, 40 "He hath blinded 
their eyes, and He hardened their heart, 
lest they should see with their eyes, and 
understand with their heart, and turn, and 
I should heal them." 

41 These things Isaiah said, because he 
saw His glory; and he spake of Him. 42 
Yet, however, even from among the rulers, 
many believed on Him; but, because of the 
Pharisees, they did not confess Him, lest 
they should be put out of the synagogue; 
43 for they loved the glory of men, rather 
than the glory of God. 44 And Jesus cried, 
and said, "He who believes on Me, be- 
lieves not on Me, but on Him Who sent 
Me; 45 and he that beholds Me, beholds 
Him Who sent Me. 46 I have come a 
light into the world, that every one who 
believes on Me may not abide in the dark- 
ness. 47 And, if any one hears My words, 
and keeps them not, I do not judge him; 
for I came, not to judge the world, but to 
save the world. 48 He who rejects Me, 
and receives not My words, has one that 
judges him: the word that I spake, the 



it back from death, His mission to earth would have heen 
an utter failure. So the professed Christian's life is a fail- 
ure, unless he gives his self-life to death. See Matt. 10:39; 
Luke 9:24. 

26 Zet him follow Me; as well in the way of suffering, as 
in obedience to all His moral and spiritual commands. If 
we would be glorified with Him, and reign with Him, we 
must suffer with Him, (Rom. 8:17; II Tim. 2:11. 12). 

27 For this cause; for the purpose of suffering. 

28 I both glorified it; at the immersion of Jesus, and on 
the mount of transfiguration, (Matt. 3:17; 17:5). And will 
glorify it; in His resurrection, ascension, and His investi- 
ture with " all power. " 

31 Now is the judgment of this world; in the crucifixion 
of Christ, so soon to follow, j udgment would be pronounced 
against the world in the Person of Christ on the cross ; t".ie 
iniquities of us all being laid upon Him, (Isa. 53:6; II Cor. 
5:14,21; I Peter 2:24). The world was judged and executed, 
judicially, in the condemnation and execution of Christ. 

32 Lifted up; on the cross, (ch. 3:14. 15). 

34 Heard out of the law; in the Old Testament Scrip- 
tures, (see Isa. 9:7; Dan. 2:24; 7:14.) But thoy seem never 
to have read Isa. 53:1-12, nor to have studied the sin and 
trespass offerings under the law. 



35, 36 Tlie. Light; Christ is the Light of the world. Walk 
in the Light; While you have the Source of Life and 
Light with you, make the most of your opportunities. 

38 The word of Isaiah; Isa. 53:1. This was fulfilled in 
the rejection of Christ's teachings. 

39 They could not helieve; that is, their state of heart 
was such, that they could not believe. Joseph's brothers 
could not speak peaceably to him (Gen. 37:4) because of 
their envy; yet their envy led to their crime. 

40 Blinded their eyes; not by exercising any miraculous 
power on them; but the truth that they heard and rejected 
was the cause of their blindness. The preaching of the 
Gospel is a savor of life unto life, or of death unto death, 
(IlCor. 2:15, 10). 

41 Ilesaw His glory; the glory of the Messiah; Isa. 6:1. 

42 Believed on Kim; believed that He was the Messiah. 
Did not confess Him; did not publicly own Him. 

41 Not on Me; not on Me only, but also on the Father. 
The Father and the Son are so one, that whosoever be- 
lieves truly in the Son, believes also in the Father. 

47 Icame not to judge; it was then Christ's business to 
save, and not to judge; but He will judge men later, (see 
Matt. 25:31-46; Rev. 20:11-15). 



JOHN 



149 



same shall judge hira in the last day. 49 
For I spake not from Myself; but the 
Father, Who sent Me, Himself hath given 
Me a commandment, what I should say, 



and what I should speak. 50 And I know 
that His commandment is life eternal. 
What things, therefore, I speak, even as 
My Father hath told Me, so I speak." 



48 Ml/ words; His teachings, hy -which men will be 
finally judged. Jesus Christ is to be the final Judge, and 
His word will be the standard of judgment. 



50 Jlis commandment ; the Gospel message which Christ 
came to proclaim. Life eternal; the Gospel brings life 
eternal to those who accept it. 



CHAPTER Xin. 

1 Now, before the feast of the passover, 
Jesus, knowing that His hour came that 
He should depart out of this world to the 
Father, having loved His own who loei^e 
in the world. He loved them to the end. 
2 And, supper being in progress, the 
Devil having already put into the heart 
of Judas Iscariot, Simon's son^ to betray 
Him, 3 knowing that the Father gave 
all things into His hands, and that He 
came forth, from God, and was going 
to Grod, 4 Heriseth from the supper, and 
layeth aside His garments; and, tak- 
ing a towel. He girded Himself. 5 Then 
He poureth water into the basin, and be- 
gan to wash the disciples' feet, and to 
wipe them with the towel with which He 
was girded. 6 He cometh, therefore, to 
Simon Peter. He says to Him, "Lord, 
dost Thou wash my feet?" 7 Jesus an- 
swered, and said to him, "What I am do- 
ing you know not now; but you shall know 
hereafter." 8 Peter says to Him, "Thou 
shalt never wash my feet!" Jesus an- 
swered him, "If I wash you not, you have 
no part with Me." 9 Simon Peter says 
to Him, "Lord, not myieetonly, but also 
my hands and my head." 10 Jesus saith 
to him, "He who has bathed has no need, 



except to wash his feet, but is wholb^ 
clean; and ye are clean, but not all;" 11 
for He knew him who would betray Him; 
on this account, He said, "Ye are not all 
clean." 

12 When, therefore. He washed their 
feet, and took His garments, and reclined 
again. He said to them, "Do ye know 
what I have done to you? 13 Ye call Me 
'The Teacher,' and 'The Lord;' and ye 
say well; for so I am. 14 If, therefore, I, 
The Lord,' and 'The Teacher,' washed 
your feet, ye also ought to wash one an- 
other's feet; 15 for I gave you an exam- 
ple, that, as I did to you, ye also should 
do. 16 Yerily, verily, I say to you, a 
servant is not greater than his lord, nor 
one who is sent greater than he who sent 
Mm. 17 If ye know these things, happy 
are ye, if ye do them. 18 I speak not 
concerning all of you: I know whom I 
chose; but, that the Scripture may be ful- 
filled, 'He that eats My bread lifted up 
his heel against Me.' 19 From this time, 
I tell you before it comes to pass; that, 
when it comes to pass, ye may believe 
that I am He. 20 Verily, verily, I say to 
you, he who receives whomsoever I send 
receives Me; and he who receives Me re- 
ceives Him who sent Me." 



NOTES ON CHAPTEK XIII. 
1 Before the feast of the passover; Matt. 26:17; Mark 
U:12; Luke 22:7. 

3 Knowing that the Father gave all things into His 
hands; with the consciousness that all power and author- 
ity were committed to Him, the Savior performs this 
lowly act. 

4 Bis garment; His outer garment. 

7 Te know not now; neither Peter nor any of the other 
disciples fully understood the import of this lowly service 
He rendered them. 

8 // / wash vou not; the Savior here alludes to the 
washing of regeneration— a washing indispensible to sal- 
vation ; but, if one should refuse to obey the Savior in 
any plain command, as that which He was then exacting 
of Peter, he could have no part with Christ. Obedience is 
the first law of the Kingdom of God. 

9 Not my feet only; if this washing is necessary to my 
sharing with Thee in Thy Kingdom, wash my hands and 
my head also. Peter had much to learn yet, 

10 He who has bathed; "with the washing of regenera- 



tion" (ch. 3:3, 5, 6, 8). This is a different word from that 
used in vs. 5-8; and applies to the whole body, rather than 
to the hands or feet. One's feet might be soiled while 
walking from the bath to one's house ; and this is strongly 
suggestive of the necessity of cleansing in the blood from 
the defilements that come to the Christian by contact 
with the world. Not all; Judas was the exception. 

14 If I . . . washed your feet, ye ought also; as much as 
to say, "If I have performed this lowly offlce of service 
for you— if I have taken the humblest position among you, 
imitate My example among yourselves. If a brother's 
feet need washing, wash them for him; if he needs spirit- 
ual cleansing, apply that, too, as a priest of God ; bearing 
one another's burdens, and leading to the cleansing blood. 

17 If ye know these things; the truths He had taught 
them in this lowly service. Happy are ye; if reference is 
had, as some suppose, to the mere matter of publicly wash- 
ing feet, it would be an easy thing to be happy. There is 
something far deeper than literal feet- washing. 

18 TJie Scripture; Ps. 41:9; fulfilled in Judas. 



150 



JOHN 



21 Having said these things, Jesus was 
troubled in spirit, and testified, and said 
"Verily, verily, I say to you, that one of 
you will betray Me." 22 The disciples 
were looking one on another, doubting 
about whom He was speaking. 23 There 
was at the table reclining in Jesus' bosom 
one of His disciples, whom Jesus loved. 
24 Simon Peter, therefore, beckons to this 
one, and says to him, "Tell us who it ii 
about whom He is speaking." 25 He 
leaning back as he was on the breast of 
Jesus, says to Him, "Lord, who is it? 
26 Jesus answereth, "He it is for whom 
I shall dip the morsel, and give it to him. 
Having, therefore, dipped the morsel. He 
taketh and giveth it to Judas, son of Simon 
Iscariot. 27 And after the morsel, then 
Satan entered into him. Jesus, therefore, 
saith to him, "What you do, do quickly." 
28 And no one of those reclining knew for 
what purpose He spake this to him; 29 
for some thought, because Judas had the 
money-bag, that Jesus said to him, "Buy 
what we need for the feast," or that he 
should give something to the poor. 30 He, 



therefore, having received the morsel, 
went out straightway; and it was night. 

31 When, therefore, he went out, Jesus 
saith, ' ' Now was the Son of Man glorified, 
and God was glorified in Him. 32 And 
God will glorify Him in Himself, and will 
straightway glorify Him. 33 Little chil- 
dren, yet a little while I am with you. Ye 
will seek Me; and, as I said to the Jews, 
'Whither I go ye cannot come;' so now I 
say to you. 34 A new commandment I 
give to you, that ye love one another; even 
as I loved you, that ye love one another. 
35 By' this shall all know that ye are' My 
disciples, if ye have love one to another. " 

36 Simon Peter says to Him, "Lord, 
where art Thou going?" Jesus answered, 
"Where I go, you cannot follow Me now; 
but you will follow Me later."* 37 Peter 
says to Him, "Why can I not follow Thee 
even now? I will lay down my soul* for 
Thee." 38 Jesus answered, "Will you 
lay down your soul * for Me ? Verily, ver- 
ily, I say to you, a cock shall not crow, 
till you thrice deny Me." 



In. 3 Or, afterwards. 3 Or, life. 



21 Was troubled; as a man Jesus was capable of feeling 
compassion for the criminal Judas; and He was aware of 
the great indignity and suffering that would soon be heaped 
upon Himself. 

23 Beclining in Jesus' bosom; while eating, each guest 
reclined on his left elbow. In the position which John oc- 
cupied, his head was in front of Jesus' bosom; and, in ask- 
ing Him any question, he would naturally turn his head 
over, and lean it upon His breast. One of Bis disciples; 
John. 

26 Dip the morsel; a piece of food— bread most likely- 
dipped in the sauce they used on the occasion. 

27 Satan entered into him; Satan now took full posses- 
sion of Judas, and urged him on to the act of betrayal al- 
ready outlined in the mind of Judas, (v. 2). 



, 32 Now was the Son glorified; Jesus seems to date 
His triumph from the moment when Satan took posses- 
sion of Judas, this being an important link in the chain of 
events that would speedily lead to victory over Satan, 
and to the manifestation of the glory of God. The Savior 
here speaks as if the battle was already over, though it 
as all still before Him. 

33 .4s I said; inch. 7:34. 

34 A new commandment; in its special application to 
His disciples, in the emphasis laid upon it, and in the mo- 
tives by which it was to be enforced. How the cause of 
Christ is suffering because of the partial obedience which 
His followers render to this command. 

36 You will follow Me later; by the way of the cross, 
(ch. 21:18, 19). 



CHAPTER XIV. 

1 "Let not your heart be troubled: be- 
lieve in God, believe also in Me. 2 In 
My Father's house are many abiding- 
places; or, else, I would have told you; be- 
cause I am going to prepare a place for 
you. 3 And, if I go and prepare a place 



for you, I am coming again, and will re- 
ceive you to Myself; that, where I am, ye 
may be also. 4 And, whither I am going, 
ye know the way." 5 Thomas says to 
Him, ' ' Lord, we know siot whither Thou 
art going; how do we know the way ? " 6 
Jesus saith to him, "I am the way, and 



NOTES ON CHAPTER XIV. 



1 Let not your heart be troubled; a time of great trial 
was just before them; and it behooved them to stand firm 
in their confidence in God and in Christ. This chapter is 
a panacea for all heart trouble, if one will only come to 
experience all from vs. 17-23. 

2 Mv Father's house; Sea.-ven. See note on Rev, 21:16, 
for its dimensions; being 1,500 miles in every direction. 
There is room in this house for many abiding-places. It 
will be blessed to be there I 



IzDill come again; this coming may be individual; as, 
when He comes for each overcoming saint at death; or it 
may refer to the rapture, when the living "ready ones" 
will be caught up, or raised from the grave to meet Him. 
At any rate, the true believer is to have a place in this 
wonderful house. 

The way . . . the truth . , . the life; Jesus is the way 
the sinner must take to reach the Father in peace; as be- 
ing the expression of the great fact of God's love to man. 
He is' the truth; and He is the life of the true believer. 
Wonderful Savior 1 



JOHN 



151 



the truth, and the life. No one comes to 
the Father, except through Me. 7 If ye 
knew Me, .ve would know My Father also; 
from henceforth ye know Him, and have 
seen Him." 

8 Philip says to Him, "Lord, show us 
the Father, and it suffices us." 9 Jesus 
saith to him, ' ' So long a time am I with 
you, and you do not know Me, Philip! 
He who has seen Me has seen the Father; 
how say you, 'Show us the Father?' 10 
Do you not believe that I am in the Father, 
and the Father in Me ? The words that I 
say to you, I speak not from Myself; but 
the Father, abiding in Me, doeth His 
works. 11 Believe Me, that I am in the 
Father, and the Father in Me; or, else, -be- 
lieve Me because of the works themselves. 

12 Verily, verily, I say to you, he that 
believes on'^ Me, the works that I do shall 
he do also; and greater works than these 
shall he do, because I go to My Father. 

13 And whatsoever ye shall ask in My 
name, this will I do, that the Father may 
be glorified in the Son. 14 If ye shall 
ask anything in My name, I will do it. 



15 "If ye love Me, ye will keep My com- 
mandments; 16 and I will ask of the 
Father, and He will give you another Advo- 
cate,^ that He may be with you forever; 
17 the Spirit of truth. Whom the world 
cannot receive, because it beholds Him 
not, neither knows Him: ye know Him, 
because He abideth with you, and will be 
in you. 18 I will not leave you orphans; 
I am coming to you. 19 Yet a little while, 
and the world beholds Me no more; but 
ye behold Me; because I live, ye shall live 
also. 20 In that day ye will know that I 
am in My Father, and ye in Me, and I in 
you. 21 He who has My commandments, 
and keeps them, he it is that loves Me; 
and he that loves Me will be loved by My 
Father, and I will love him, and will man- 
ifest Myself to him." 22 Judas, not Is- 
cariot, says to Him, "Lord, what has hap- 
pened, that Thou art about to manifest 
Thj-self to us, and not to the world?" 23 
Jesus answered, and said to him, "If any 
one loves Me, he will keep My word; and 
My Father will love him, and We will 
come to him, and make Our abode with 



1 Gr. Into. 



2 Comforter, or. Intercessor. 



7 Ye would have known My Father also; to know the 
Son truly, we must know the Father also. Their Oneness 
is such, that a full knowledge of One o£ them, involves a 
knowledge of the Other. 

8 Show us the Father; let us see His bodily presence. 
This was a request that was on a fleshly plain, and could 
not he granted, since God the Father is a spirit.- 

10, n Kot from Myself; not from Myself apart from 
the Father. The Father Himself speaks through Me to 
you; hence, when you hear Me, you hear the Father also; 
as. when you see Me, you see the Father. 

12 The works that I do shall he do also; this does not 
seem as if the days o£ miracles were meant by the Lord to 
pass away till the close at least, of this dispensation. 
Greater works than these; those who really believe on [or 
into] Christ are to do the works that Jesus did when per- 
sonally present on earth, and greater than these. These 
greater works, no doubt, referred to works that would be 
done after Pentecost, in the multitudes that were saved. 
There is a great need now of men through whom the 
mighty power of God can find an outlet to the people in 
our times. 

13. 14 Ash in My name; to ask truly in the name of Jesus. 
is to have the Spirit and nature of Christ so controlling 
one's petition, that Christ Himself will be back of the pe- 
tition. The name of Christ stands for Christ Himself. 
All petitions of this nature will be answered. These two 
verses cover the whole field of prayer. 

15-17 If ye love Me, ye will keep My commandments; if we 
are not keeping His commandments, we may know that 
we are not loying Him truly. True love will lead to true 
obedience. I will ask of the Father; on the implied con 
dition of full obedience prompted by love, Another Advo 
cate; Jesus was one Advocate, and the Holy Spirit, or 



"the Spirit of truth." is the Other. This Gift was be- 
stowed upon the disciples on the day of Pentecost. The 
Spirit, since the day of Pentecost, has been in the world; 
and is always ready to take possession of the fully surren- 
dered believer. All Christians ought to receive this won- 
derful Gift, (see ch. 4:14; Eph. 5:18). Have you received 
Him? He is with you, and will be in you; the Spirit is with 
all believers ; but He is so grieved at their self-will and 
self-serving, that His presence is rarely recognized. Will 
be in you; in you in the sense of possessing and controlling 
you. All believers, who will fully yield themselves to 
God, may receive this wonderful Gift, by simply asking 
for Him, and receiving Him, (Luke 11:13). The reason 
why Christians generally are so powerless is found in the 
fact that they are not filled with the Spirit. It is their 
fault, not God's. The provision is ample. 

18 lam coming to you; in the Spirit. It is only as the 
Spirit fills the Christian, that Christ can come to him, 
and be a reality in him. 

19 re 'behold Me; that is. ye will behold Me, when ye 
come to live in the power of the Holy Spirit. 

20 In that day; when the Spirit has come in and taken 
possession of you. Ye will know; that I am in My Father, 
and essentially One with Him; and that ye are in Me. hid- 
den away and protected from the curse of the law. and 
from all your enemdes; and ye will know, too, that I am in 
you. This is wonderful knowledge I And all believers may 
have it; but it can come only as the Spirit is permitted to 
work in one, unhindered. 

21 Manifest Myself to him; whole-hearted obedieiice 
will bring the wonderful blessing of the manifested Christ. 

23 Continuous and unstinted obedience will bring one 
the gracious experience of the abiding of the Father and 
the Son with the believer I Eoyal Guests indeed I The 



152 



JOHN 



him. 24 He who loves Me not, keeps not 
My words; and the word which ye hear is 
not Mine, but the Father's Who sent Me. 
25 "These things have I spoken, while 
abiding with you. 26 But the Advocate, 
the Holy Spirit, Whom the Father will 
send in My name. He will teach you all 
things, and remind you of all things that 
I told you. 

. 27 "Peace I leave for you; My own 
peace I give to you; not as the world gives, 
give I to you. Let not your heart be 
troubled; neither let it be fearful. 28 Ye 



heard that I said to you, ' I go away, and 
I come to you.' If ye loved Me, ye would 
have rejoiced, because I go to the Father; 
because the Father is greater than I. 29 
And now I- have told you before it comes 
to pass; that, when it comes to pass, ye 
may believe. 30 1 will no more speak 
much with you; for the Prince of the world 
is coming, and he has nothing in Me; 31 
but, that the world may know that I love 
the Father, and, as the Father commanded 
Me, so I do. Arise, let us go hence." 



order is. the Spirit reveals the Son; and the Son and the 
Spirit make way for the incoming of the Father also. 
Hence, the heliever may be indwelt and even filled with 
the Holy Trinity I And all this here on earthl This ex- 
perience, made perpetual, leads to the development of the 
full overcomer! 

26 He will teach you all things; all things needful for you 
to know— especially the doctrines of the Gospel, and all 
things relating to your duty and privileges as believers. 
Bemind you of all things; the things that Jesus had told 
them, and taught them, while with them. 

27 Peace Heave for you; people have peace vnth God. 



when, as penitents, they accept Christ as their Savior; and 
they have "the peace of God." when Christ is fully en- 
throned in their hearts. (Phil. 4:7). 

28 Greater than I; greater in-an official sense, but not in 
nature, or essence. Christ's return to His Father, with 
the proofs of His perfect redemptive work, opened the way 
for the Holy Spirit to come to men. to convert, equip for 
service, and build them, up in the image of Christ. 

30 Prince of this world; Satan. Bas nothing in Me; no 
sin. or evil nature, that he could take advantage of. Jesus 
was always holy, harmless, undefiled, and separate from 
sinners, (Heb. 7:26). 



CHAPTEE XV. 

1 "I am the true vine, and My Father 
is the husbandman. 2 Every branch in 
Me that bears not fruit. He taketh it away; 
and every one that bears fruit. He cleanseth 
it, that it may bear more fruit. 3 Already 
ye are clean because of the word which I 
have spoken to you. 4 Abide in Me, and 
I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit 
of itself, unless it abide in the vine; 
neither can ye, unless ye abide in Me. 5 
I am the vine, ye are the branches. He 
that abides in Me, and I in him, the same 
bears much fruit; because, apart from Me, 
ye can do nothing. 6 Unless one abides 
in Me, he was cast forth as a branch, and 



withered; and they gather them, and cast 
them into the fire, and they are burned. 7 
If ye abide in Me, and My words abide in 
you, ask whatsoever ye will, and it shall 
be done to you. 8 In this was My Father 
glorified, that ye bear much fruit, and be- 
come My disciples. 9 Even as the Father 
loved Me, I also loved you; abide in My 
love. 10 If ye keep My commandments, 
ye shall abide in My love, even as I have 
kept My Father's commandments, and 
abide in His love. 11 These things have 
I spoken to you, that My joy may be in 
you, and that your joy may be made full. 
12 This is My commandment, that ye love 
one another, even as I loved you. 13 



NOTES ON CHAPTER XV. 

1 I am ike true vine; metaphorically, and spiritually 
My Father is the husbandman; the Keeper of the vinoyard 
or of the Yine, in this case. 

2 Every branch In Me; every believer in Christ. That 
hears not fruit; that does not live a godly life. He taketh 
away; as fruit is the object of the husbandman, the fruit- 
less branch is cut off. as, not only worthless, but in the 
way. He cleanseth it; the fruit-bearing branch is freed 
from all hindrances, that it may bear more fruit. So God 
cleanses His children by His word and by His Spirit, that 
they may bear more fruit. 

{, 5 The only way to bear real fruit, and an abundance 
of it, is to abide in Christ, and let Christ abide in us. Christ 
pours His lite and nature into us, reproducing His own 
life in us; but only as this mutual abiding exists. Here 
we have the secret of a holy character, and of a holy life. 

6-8 XTnless one abides in Me; the real branch abides in 



the vine. Cast forth as a branch; cut off and thrown 
away as useless. The fruitless branch is utterly worth- 
less. No one has any right to claim to be a Christian, un- 
less he is bearing fruit. Many professed Christians are 
such only in name. Abiding in Christ and having His 
words abide in us. will put us where we have wonderful 
possibilities in prayer. As the Father expects fruit from 
His people, so is He glorified, when they bear "much 
fruit." 

10 Obedience keeps one in the love of God. where rich 
fruitage abounds. 

11 Jesus wishes His true disciples to be full of His joy; 
and. if He is permitted to abide and rule within, one's life 
will be regaled with all "the fruit of the Spirit." (Gal. 
5:22. 23). 

12 That ye love one another; ch. 13:34. As Iloved you; 
the Savicr loved His people enough to die for them ; and we 
ought, if need be. to lay down our lives for the brethren, 
(I J6hn3:16). 



JOHX 



153 



Greater love lias no one than this, that one 
lay down his soul' for his friends. 14 Ye 
are My friends, if ye do what I command 
you. 15 No longer do I call you slaves; 
because the slave knows not what his lord 
is doing; but I have called you friends, 
because all things which I heard from My 
Father I made known to you. 16 Ye did 
not choose Me, but I chose you, and ap- 
pointed you, that ye should go and bear 
fruit, and that your fruit should abide 
that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father 
in My name, He may give it you. 17 
These things I command you, that ye may 
love one another. 18 If the world hates 
you^ ye know that it has hated Me before 
it hated you. 19 If ye were of the world, 
the world would love its own; but because 
ye are not of the world, but I chose you 
out of the world, on this account the world 
hates you. 20 Remember the word which 
I spake to you, 'A servant is not greater 



than his lord.' If they persecuted Me, 
they will also persecute you; if tlwy kept 
My word, they will keep yours also. 21 
But all these things will they do to you for 
My name's sake; because they know not 
Him Who sent Me. 

22 "Had I not come and spoken to 
them, they had not had sin; but now they 
have no excuse for their sin. 23 He who 
hates Me hates My Father also. 24 Had 
I not done among them the works, which no 
other did, they would not have had sin; 
but now have they both seen and hated 
both Me and My Father; 25 but this they 
do, that the word may be fulfilled, which, 
has been written in their law, 'They hated 
Me without a cause. ' * 

26 "When the Advocate shall come. 
Whom I will send to you from the Father, 
the Spirit of truth, Who proceedeth from 
the Father, He will testify concerning 
Me; 27 and ye also testify, because ye 
are with Me from the beginning." 



1 Or, life. 



2 Or, gratis. 



li Ye are Mu friends; If ye do what I command you. 
Perfect obedience introduces one into the realm of divine 
friendship. 

15 No longer do I call you slaves: the truly obedient diS' 
ciple is promoted from the position of a slave to that of a 
friend; and, when one enjo;, ,; the friendship of the Triune 
God, he will have many of the divine secrets entrusted to 
him. Here we see a distinction between a servant and a 
son. It is Christ dwelling within that elevates one from 
the position of a slave [or bond-servant] to that of a son 
and a friend. 

16 Ye did not choose Me; Christ first chose the disciples, 
and after that they chose Him. Appointed you; set you 
apart to the work for which I chose you. That your fruit 
should abide; our Father wishes fruit, more fruit, much 
fruit, and fruit that abides. What a wenderful thing is 
this "branch-life," that abounds in fruitage that shows 
Christ to the world! That whatsoever ye shall asJcof the 
Father in My name. He may give it you; this life of abund- 
ant fruitage is coupled very closely with a life of prayer, 



and leads one towards the place where all that one asks in 
the name of Jesus is granted I This is virtually Christ 
praying through the believer, sending forth His own peti- 
tions through his heart. 

19-21 The world loves its own people, and hates Christ, 
and all who are truly following Him. 

23 Sad not had sin; the great sin of rejecting Christ 
and His teachings. Of course, all men are under sin, apart, 
from Christ; but the sin of rejecting Him Who came to 
put away sin, is so immense, that it overshadows all other 
sins common to the race. The extent of one's guilt is 
measured by the light he has rejected. 

25 Written in their law; Ps. 35:19; 69:4. 

26 The Advocate . . . will testify concerning Me; the 
Spirit reveals the divinity of Christ, and makes Him real 
to the fully surrendered and obedient believer. 

27 Ye also; the apostles. All Spirit-filled believers are 
witnesses to the divinity of Christ; but no man can say 
that Jesus is the Christ, but by the Spirit of God. (I Cor. 
12:£). 



CHAPTEE XVI. 

1 " These things have I spoken to you, 
that ye be not made to stumble. 2 They 
will put you out of the synagogues; yea, 
an hour is coming, that every one who 
kills you will think that he is offering 
service to God. 3 And these things will 
they do, because they have not known the 
Father, nor Me. 4 But these things I 



have spoken to you, that, when their hour 
shall come, ye may remember them, that 
I told you. And these things I said not 
to you from the beginning, because I was 
with you. 5 And now I go to Him Who 
sent Me; and no one of you asks Me, 
Whither goest Thou? ' 6 But, because I 
have spoken these things to you, sorrow 
has filled your heart. 7 But I tell you the 



NOTES ON CHAPTER XVI. 

1 These things have I spoken; forewarning you of the 
troubles ahead, and to prevent your being caused to 
stumble. 



Because they know not the Father, nor Me; all perse- 
cutors of Christians have no real knowledge of the Father 
or of the Son. 

When their time; the time of the occurrence of the- 
events themselves. 



154 



JOHN 



truth: it is expedient for you that I go 
away; for, if I do not go away, the Advo- 
cate will not come to you; but, if I go, I 
will send Him to you. 8 And, having 
come. He will convict the world respect- 
ing sin, and righteousness, and judgment: 
9 respecting sin, because they believe not 
on Me; 10 respecting righteousness, be- 
cause I go to the Father, and ye no longer 
behold Me; 11 and respecting judgment, 
because the ruler of this world has been 
judged. 

12 "I have yet many things to say to 
you; but ye are not able to bear them 
now. 13 But, when He, the Spirit of 
truth, shall come. He will guide you into 
all truth; for He will not speak from 
Himself; but whatsoever He heareth He 
will speak; and He will declare to you 
things to come. 14 He will glorify Me; 
because He will take of Mine, and will de- 
clare it to you. 15 All things whatsoever 
the Father hath are Mine; on this account, 
I said, that He taketh of Mine, and will 
declare it to you. 16 A little while, and 
ye no longer behold Me; and again a lit- 
tle while, and ye will see Me." 17 Some 
of His disciples, therefore, said to one an- 
other, "What is this that He saith to us, 
'A little while, and ye behold Me not; and 
again a little while, and ye will see Me; 
and, 'Because I g-o to the Father?'" 
18 They said, therefore, ' ' What is tliis that 



He saith, ' A little while ? ' — we know not 
what He saith! " 19 Jesus knew that they 
wished to ask Him, and He said to them, 
"Do ye inquire among yourselves about 
this that I said, ' A little while, and ye be- 
hold Me not, and again a little while, and ye 
will see Me?' 20 Verily, verily, I say to 
you, that ye will weep and lament, but the 
world will rejoice: ye will be made sor- 
rowful, but your sorrow will be turned 
into joy. 21 A woman, when she is in 
travail, has sorrow, because her hour 
came; but, when she bears the child, she 
no longer remembers the anguish, because 
of the joy that a man was born into the 
world. 22 And ye, therefore, now, in- 
deed, have sorrow; but I will see you 
again, and your heart will rejoice, and 
your joy no one takes away from you. 23 
And in that day ye will ask nothing of 
Me: verily, verily, I say to you, if ye 
shall ask anything of the Father, He will 
give it you in My name. 24 Hitherto ye 
asked nothing in My name; ask, and ye 
will receive, that your joy may be made 
full. ^ 

25 " These things have I spoken to you 
in proverbs.^ An hour is coming, when I 
will no more speak to you in proverbs, 
but will tell you plainly of the Father. 
26 In that day ye shall ask in My name: 
and I say not to you, that I will ask the 



Or, dark sayings. 



7 Expedient for you; it was far better for the disciples 
that Jesus should ascend to His Father, and send the Holy 
Spirit down on His wonderful mission, than to have con- 
tinued here in person ; because, by sending the Spirit down 
to open the way, the Savior Himself could return to dwell 
in every one of them, (ch. 14:20; 15:4, 5); and thus make 
way for the Father to come in also, (ch. 14:23). There was 
infinite gain to the disciples in this. 

8 Be will convict; the Holy Spirit, acting through Spir- 
it-fiUcd Christians, convicteth sinners of sin; and this is 
indispensible to salvation. 

9 Of sin; of all sin, but especially of the sin of rejecting 
Christ. 

10 Of righteousness; not only that Christ was Himself 
righteous, but that He is the Righteousness of God pro- 
vided for all who accept Him, (Bom, 10:4: Phil 3:D; I Cor. 
1:30; II Cor. 5:21). 

11 Of judgment; in that Jesus, through His sufferings, 
death, and resurrection, condemned, and overthrew Sa- 
tan's dominion, the final act in which drama will take 
place after the Millennium. (Rev. 20:10). 

12 Many things; relating to the effect of His death, and 
to His Kingdom. Notableto hear them now; they could 
not understand or appreciate them, until after the Spirit 
of truth should come and teach them. 

13 Quide you into all truth; the truth relating to the 
Gospel. Not apeak from Himself; His utterances came from 



the Father. It is a part of the Spirit's work to reveal to 
the dutiful believer the things of the Father and Son. 

14 Glorify Me; the Spirit magnifies and glorifies 
Christ's person and work. Take of Mine. . . declare it to 
you; the Spirit reveals to the Spirit-filled believer the 
things that pertain to the work, office, and person of 
Christ; teaching him what Christ has done for him, what 
He is now to him, and the extent of his rights and privi- 
leges in Christ. AH these things are revelations of the 
Spirit to the fully surrendered believer. Human intellect 
may apprehend, but cannot, unaided by the Spirit, com- 
prehend the true meaning of the Gospel. 

15 AreMine; Matt. 11:27; 28:18. 

16 A little while; during the period of His burial. Again 
a little while; after His resurrection they would see Him. 

20 Weep and lament; at His crucifixion. The world; 
the wicked rulers and people. Turned into joy; because 
of His resurrection, and the things to follow it. 

21 The time of the deepest anguish is closely connected 
with the highest and holiest joys. Penial precedes Pente- 
cost. 

22 I will see you again; not only after the resurrection, 
but, also, in the Spirit, after Pcutccost, (ch. 14:20. 21). 

23, 24 Will a: k nothing of ISlc; while Jesus was visibly 
present with t^e disciples, it was proper for them to ask 
anything of Him; but, after His assension. it would be 
proper to ask of the Father, but in the name of Jesus. 



JOHN 



155 



Father for you; 27 for the Father Him- 
self loveth you, because ye have loved 
Me, and have believed that I came forth 
from the Father. 28 I came forth from 
the Father, and have come into the world 
again, I leave the world, and go to the 
Father." 

29 His disciples say, "Lo, now Thou 
talkest plainly, and speakest no proverb: 
50 now we know that Thou knowest all 
things; and hast no need that any one 



should ask Thee: by^ this we believe that 
Thou didst come forth from God." 31 
Jesus answered them, "Do ye now be- 
lieve ? 32 Behold, an hour is coming, and 
has come, that ye should be scattered, 
each to his own, and leave Me alone; and 
I am not alone, because the Father is with 
Me. 33 These things have I spoken to 
you, that in Me ye may have peace. In 
the world ye have tribulation; but be of 
good cheer; I have overcome the world." 



Gr. In. 



26,27 Isaynot. . . I will ask Vie Father; not that only. 
"but much more. He would intercede for them, and inter- 
est the Father (Who already loved them) in them, and thus 
bring great blessings upon them. 

iV^. £.— Letit never be forgotten that it is Christ Who 
alone gives us access to the Father; and it is through 
Christ that we approach the Father in prayer, and re- 
ceive answers from Him. 

32 Each to his own; to his own home, or possessions. 



This would be brought about by His arrest and crucifixion. 
33 That in Me ye may have peace; in living union with 
Christ the believer gets peace; first, he gets peace with 
God, when he truly accepts Christ as his Savior; and he 
gets "the peace of God," when he enthrones Christ in his 
heart, (Phil. 4:7). I have overcome the world; Christ has 
overcome Satan and all foes without and within; but one 
can enjoy these great benefits only as he lets Christ abide 
in him. 



CHAPTER XVII. 

1 Jesus spake these things; and, lifting 
up His eyes to Heaven, said, "Father, the 
hour has come; glorify Thy Son, that the 
Son may glorify Thee; 2 even as Thou 
gavest Him authority over all flesh, that 
to all Whom Thou hast given Him He 
should give eternal life. 3 And this 
is the eternal life, that they know Thee, 
the only true God, and Jesus Christ 
Whom Thou didst send. 4 I glorified 
Thee on the earth; having completed the 
work which Thou hast given Me to do. 
5 And, now. Father, glorify Thou Me 
-with Thine Own Self,' with the glory 
which I had with Thee before the world 
was. 6 I manifested Thy name to the 
men whom Thou gavest Me out of the 
world. Thine they were; and Thou gav- 
est them to Me; and they have kept 
Thy word. 7 Now they have known that 
.all things whatsoever Thou gavest Me 
are from Thee; 8 because the words 



which Thou gavest Me I have given to 
them, and they received them^ and knew 
truly that I came forth from Thee, and 
believed that Thou didst send" Me. 9 I 
pray for them: I pray not for the world, 
but for those whom Thou hast given Me; 
because they are Thine. 10 And all Mine 
are Thine, and Thine are Mine; and I am 
glorified in them. 11 And I am no longer 
in the world; and these are in the world, 
and I come to Thee. Holy Father, keep, 
in Thine Own name, those whom Thou 
hast given Me, that they may be one, 
even as we are. 12 While I was with 
them, I was keeping, in Thy name, those 
Whom Thou hast given Me; and I guarded 
them, and no one of them perished, except 
the son of perdition, that the Scripture 
might be fulfilled. 13 But now I come to 
Thee, and these things I speak in the 
world, that they may have My joy made 
full in themselves. 14 I have given them 
Thy word, and the world hated them, be- 
cause they are not of the world, even as I 



NOTES ON CHAPTER XVII. 

1 Tlitse words; probably including all from the begin- 
ning of oh. 14. Thehour has come; the time for His suffer- 
ings and death. Glorify Thy Son; by keeping Him in the 
hour of suffering, and proving Him to be the true Mes- 
siah. 

2 Authority over all flesh; for the salvation of all be- 
lievers, (Matt. 28:18). 

3 Life eternal; to know God and Christ fully and truly, 
Tarings life, and life more abundant. 

4 Glorified Thee on the earth,; by doing all that the 
T'ather commissioned Me to do. 

5 Bef'^^ the world was; Phil. 2:6; H Cor. 8:9. 



I manifested Thy name; Ths character and attributes 
for which Thy name stands. 

7 All things . . . from Thee; the disciples now under- 
stood, in a measure, the truth, that all the Savior's 
mighty works were wrought in harmony with the will and 
appointment of the Father. 

9 I pray for them; for the disciples. 

10 lam glorified in them; by their reception of Him as 
their Redeemer and Savior, and the mighty work wrought 
in them, and to be wrought by the Holy Spirit. 

12 No one perished, except; this was spoken in anticipa- 
tion of what was shortly to take place. The son of perdi- 
tion; Judas. See Ps. 109:8; Acts 1 :20. 



156 



JOHN 



am not of the world. 15 I pray not that 
Thoa shouldest take them out of the 
world, but that Thou shouldest keep them 
from the evil one. 16 They are not of 
the world, even as I am not of the world. 
17 Sanctify them in the truth; Thy word 
is truth. 18 As Thou didst send Me into 
the world, I also sent them into the world; 
19 and in their behalf I sanctify Myself, 
that they also may be sanctified in truth. 
20 ''And I do not pray for these only, 
but for those also who believe on Me 
through their word; 21 that they may all 
be one, even as Thou, Father, art in Me, 
and I in Thee, that they also may be one in 
us; that the world may believe that Thou 
didst send Me. 22 And the glory which 



Thou hast given to Me I have given to 
them, that they may be one, even as we 
are one: 23 I in them, and Thou in Me, 
that they may be perfected into one; that 
the world may know that Thou didst send 
Me, and lovedst them, even as Thou didst 
love Me. 24 Father, as to what Thou 
hast given Me, I desire that they may be 
with Me, where I am; that they may be- 
hold My glory, which Thou hast given 
Me; because Thou didst love Me before 
the founding of a world. 26 O righteous 
Father! and the world knew Thee not; but 
I knew Thee, and these knew that Thou 
didst send Me; 26 and I made known to 
them Thy name, and will make it known; 
that the love with which Thou lovedst Me 
may be in them, and I in them." 



I 



15 Keej) them /rom t/16 eirtt one; from Satan, the source 
of evil. 

17 Sanctify them in the truth; by giving tliem a right 
understanding of it, and enabling them to obey and ap- 
propriate it. Tfty word is truth; the word of God. the Bible ; 
■which contains His system of purification. (Ps. 119:9). 

19 I sanctify Myself ; I devote Myself to the one great 
object of putting away sin. and opening the fountain of 
life and cleansing. The word sanctify, as inch. 10:36, has 
the Old Testament sense of the word: viz., to set apart, to 
devote, etc, Jesus was, personally, always "holy, harm- 
less, undefiled, and separate from sinners," (Heb. 7:26) 



20 Here the Savior prayed for all who believed, and all 
who ever would believe, on Him. 

21-23 That they all may be one; Christ has provided that 
all true believers may, through a vital and unhindered, 
union with Himself in this life, put on His own life, 
nature, and holiness ; and so become one in Htm. Chris- 
tians who hold on to the self-life make it impossible for 
the Savior's prayer to be answered, so far as they are con- 
cerned. The believer, who yields himself wholly to God, 
and comes to be filled with the Holy Trinity, is answer- 
ing, so far as he is concerned, this wonderful prayer of the 
Savior. Beloved reader, will you hinder this prayer by 
keeping control of yourself, rather than giving all to God? 



CHAPTEE XVIII. 

JESUS AKRESTED, AND TAKEN BEEOKE THE 
HIGH PKIESTS. 

1 Having spoken these things, Jesus 
went forth with His disciples beyond the 
winter-brook Kidron,^ where was a gar- 
den, into which He entered Himself and 
His disciples. 2 And Judas also, who be- 
trayed Him, knew the place; because Jesus 
ofttimes resorted thither with His disci- 
ples. 3 Judas, therefore, having received 
the band of soldiers and officers from the 
high priests and the Pharisees, comes 
thither with lanterns, and torches, and 
weapons. 4 Jesus, therefore, knowing all 
things that were coming upon Him, went 
forth, and saith to them, "Whom seek 



1 Or. Kedron. 



ye?" 5 They answered Him, "Jesus, 
the Nazarene." Jesus saith to them, "I 
am He.'''' And Judas also, who betrayed 
Him, was standing with them. 6 When, 
therefore. He said to them, "I am He^'''* 
they went backward, and fell to the 
ground. 7 Again, therefore. He asked 
them, ' ' Whom seek ye ? " And they said, 
"Jesus, the JSTazarene." 8 Jesus answered, 
"I told you that lam He; if, therefore, 
ye are seeking Me, permit these to go 
their way; " 9 that the word might be ful- 
filled, which He spake, "Of those whona 
Thou hast given Me, I lost none." 10 
Simon Peter, therefore, having a sword, 
drew it, and struck the high priest's serv- 
ant, and cut off his right ear. Now 
the servant's name was Malchus. 11 
Jesus, therefore, said to Peter, "Put up 



NOTES ON CHAPTER XVIII. 

1 These words: the words, probably, of the four preced- 
ing chapters, Kidron; a winter-stream, or bed of a stream, 
which ran through the valley of Jehoshaphat, on the east 
side of Jerusalem, between the city and the mount of 
Olives, 

2 J^esM8Js6c<ra!/«c«; Matt. 26:47-56, 



6 Fell on the around; fell prostrate before Him. presum- 
ably, under the mighty influence of His divine power. 
Had it not been for the divine program— which Christ had 
sngaged to carry out — which required that Jesus should 
oe captured, condemned, and crucified. His enemies never 
jould have touched Him, (Acts 3: IS). 

S-' These; the disciples. 

9 Lost none; eh. 17:12. 



JOHN 



157 



the sword into the sheathe. The cup 
which tlie Father hath given Me, shall 1 
not drink it?" 

12 So the band,^ and the chief captain, 
and the officers of the Jews, seized Jesus, 
and bound Him, 13 and led Him to An- 
nas first; for he was father-in-law of Caia- 
phas, who was high priest that year. 14 
And it was Caiaphas who counseled the 
Jews, that it was expedient that one man 
should die for the people. 

15 And Simon Peter and another dis- 
ciple was following Jesus. And that dis- 
ciple was known to the high priest, and 
went in with Jesus into the court of the 
high priest; 16 But Peter was standing 
at the door without. So the other dis- 
ciple, who was known to the high priest, 
went out and spake to her that kept the 
door, and brought in Peter. 
Peter's denial. 

17 The maiden door-keeper, therefore, 
says to Peter, "Are you also one of this 
Man's disciples?" He says, "I am not." 
18 And the servants and the officers were 
standing there^ having made a fire of coals 
(because it was cold), and were warming 
themselves; and Peter also was with them, 
standing and warming himself. 

19 The high priest, therefore, asked 
Jesus concerning His disciples, and con- 
cerning His teaching. 20 Jesus answered, 
"I have spoken openly to the world; I al- 
ways taught in the sjmagogue and in the 
temple, where all the Jews assemble to- 
gether; and in secret I spake nothing. 21 
Why do you ask Me? Ask those who have 
heard, what I spake to them; behold, they 
tnow the things which I said." 22 And, 
when He had said this, one of the officers 



standing by gave Jesus a blow with a rod.' 
saying, "Dost Thou answer the high priest 
thus!" 23 Jesus answered him, "If I 
spake evil, testify concerning the evil; but, 
if well, why do you beat Me ? " 24 Annas, 
therefore, sent Him bound to Caiaphas the 
high priest. 25 And Simon Peter was 
standing and warming himself. They said, 
therefore, to him, "Are you also one of His 
disciples?" He denied, and said, "lam 
not." 26 One of the servants of the high 
priest, being a kinsman of him whose ear 
Peter cut oif, says, "Did not I see you 
in the garden with Him?" 27 Again, 
therefore, Peter denied; and straightway 
a cock crowed. 

28 They led Jesus, therefore, from Cai- 
aphas into the Prsetorium; and it was early; 
and they themselves entered not into the 
Prastorium, that they might not be defiled, 
but might eat the passover. 29 Pilate, 
therefore, went out to them, and says, 
' ' What accusation do ye bring against this 
Man?" 30 They answered and said to 
him, "If this Man were not an evil-doer, 
we would not have delivered Him up to 
you." 31 Pilate, therefore, said to them, 
"Take Him yourselves, and judge Him ac- 
cording to your law." The Jews said to 
liim, "It is not lawful for us to kill any- 
one;" 32 that the word of Jesus might 
be fulfilled, which He spake, signifying by 
what manner of death He was about to die. 

33 Pilate, therefore, entered again into 
the Praetorium, and called Jesus, and said 
to Him, ' 'Art Thou the King of the Jews ? " 
34 Jesus answered, "Do you say this of 
yourself, or did others tell you concerning 
Me?" 35 Pilate answered, "Am I a Jew? 
Thy own nation, and the high priests de- 



2 Or, cohort. 



3 Or, 7ia?id. 



11 The cup; the suffering's -which the Father had ap- 
pointed for Him, and which Jesus Himself had covenanted 
to drink. 

13, H Jesus before Caiaphas; ch. 11:49-52; Matt. 26:57. 

15 Another disciple; John. 

16 Brought in Peter; into the hall of the court, which 
was the square space, open above, around which the pal- 
ace, or Prsetorium. was built. The place in which the 
trial of Jesus was going on was open in front, so that 
Peter and others with him could witness it. 

21 Ask those who have heard; this was the proper and le- 
gal way of getting at the facts. 

28 That they mioht not he denied; the Jews would not 
enter this hall, or gentile court, lost they should be de- 
filed; though they thirsted for the innocent blood of the 
Xambof Godl 

29-40 Christ before Pilate; Matt. 27:1-25. 

31 Take Him yourselves, artA judge Him; the Jews would 



not do this, because they wished Jesus to be put to death; 
and, as the Jews were subject to the government of C»sar, 
they had no right to take lite. 

32 Tliat the saying of Jesus; crucifixion was a Roman 
method of executing prisoners who were condemned to 
death; while stoning was the Jewish method, (Lev. 24:11- 
16). By securing the conviction of Jesus before Pilate, 
they fulfilled His own prediction as to the manner of His 
death, (Matt. 20:19). 

33 Art Thou the King of the Jews; Pilate asked this 
question, because this was one of the charges the Jews 
made against Him, which they claimed to be treason 
against Caesar. 

34 Of yourself ; Jesus meant by this to ascertain whether 
Pilate himself knew of anything treasonable In Elm. 

35 Am la Jew; this is equivalent to saying, " I am not 
a Jew, and how could I be expected to know about Thy 
troubles?" 



158 



JOHN 



livered Thee up to me: what didst Thou 
do?" 36 Jesus answered, "My Kingdom 
is not of this world. If My Kingdom were 
of this world, My servants would fight, 
that I should not be delivered to the Jews 
but now My kingdom is not from hence.' 
37 Pilate, therefore, said to Him, "Art 
Thou, then, a King?" Jesus answered, 
"You say that I am a King. To this end 
have I been born, and to this end have I 
come into the world, that I should testify 



to the truth. Every one who is of the 
truth hears My voice." 38 Pilate says to 
Him, " What is truth?" And, having said 
this, he went out again to the Jews, and 
says to them, "I find no crime in Him. 39^ 
But ye have a custom, that I should release 
to you one at the passover. Do ye wish, 
therefore, that I release to you the King of 
the Jews? " 40 They cried out, therefore, 
again, saying, "Not this Man, but Barab- 
bas ! " Now Barabbas was a robber. 



36 My Kingdom is not of this world; it. for the present, 
is not a worldly kingdom; Tjut He will rule over the whole 
earth at some time in the future. (Zech. 14:9). 

37 Art Thou a King ; a King of any sort. He goes o 
tell what sort of a King He came to be— viz., One to testify 
to the truth, and to illustrate and vindicate it. 
■ 38 What is truth; Pilate here shows his ignorance of 

the truth about which Jesus was talking, and his indifler 
ence to it. I find no crime in Him; this was Pilate's ver 
diet in the case; and it stands as a rebuttal to the Jewish 
accusations against Him. 
39 Yehave a custom; 'i&^X,'^. 27:15. 



40 Not this Man, but Barabbas; Pilate possibly, by put- 
ting Christ and the noted robber Barabbas together, meant 
to favor Jesus; lor the viler this person might be in the 
eyes of the people, the less likely the people would be, un- 
der ordinary circumstances, to desire his pardon; and, if 
their dislike to the pardoning of Barabbas could be strong- 
enough, they would be more likely to select Jesus as the 
One to be pardoned. The divine program, however, had to 
be carried out; and He Who had been "as a Lamb slaia 
from the founding of the world," must now be offered up; 
but this did not make His murderers the less guilty in the 
sight of God, (Acts 8:23). 



CHAPTER XIX. 

1 Then Pilate, therefore, took Jesus, 
and scourged Him. 2 And the soldiers, 
having platted a crown of thorns, placed 
it upon His head, and put on Him a purple 
robe; 3 and they kept coming to Him, 
and saying, "Hail, King of the Jews 1" 
And they were giving Him blows with a 
rod.^ 4 And Pilate went out again, and 
says to them, "Behold, I bring Him out 
to you, that ye may know that I find no 
fault in Him." 5 Jesus, therefore, came 
forth without wearing the thorn-crown, 
and the purple robe. And Pilate says to 
them, "Behold, the Man!" 6 When, 
therefore, the high priests and the officers 
saw Him, they cried out, "Crucify! cru- 
cify!" Pilate says to them, "Take ye 



1 Or. witJi their handn. 



Him, and crucify ffhn\ for I find not a 
crime in Him." 7 The Jews, therefore, 
answered him, "We have a law, and ac- 
cording to the law He ought to die, because 
He made Himself God's Son." 8 When, 
therefore, Pilate heard this saying, he was 
the more afraid; 9 and he entered again 
into the Prsetorium, and says to Jesus, 
"Whence art Thou?" But Jesus gave 
him no answer. 10 Pilate, therefore, says 
to Him, "Dost Thou not speak to me? 
Knowest Thou not that I have authority to 
release Thee, and have authority to crucify 
Thee?" 11 Jesus answered him, "You 
would have no authority against Me, un- 
less it were given to you from above; on 
this account, he who delivered Me up to 
you has greater sin." 12 In consequence 
of this, Pilate was seeking to release Him; 
but the Jews cried out, saying, "If you 



NOTES ON CHAPTER XIX. 
1 Pilate scourged Him; possibly hoping that this might 
satisfy the Jews. (L,uke 23:22). 

6 Takeye Sim, and crucify Him; probably said in irony, 
as the Roman law forbade the Jews to kill any one. 

7 Wehavealaw; Lev. 24:16; but this law did not apply 
to Jesus, because He did not blaspheme, but glorify the 
name of God. Pilate declared Him innocent of the charge 
of treason; and now the Jews fall back on the charge of 
blasphemy ; and never was a verdict more foreign to the 
facts. 

8 He was the more afraid; Pilate had not heard this 
charge before— that is, the charge of blasphemy, supported 
by the Savior's claim to be God's Son ; and now he was the 
more eager to release Him. 



9 Whence art Thou; tell me your origen— are you human 
or divine? He gave him no answer; Jesus had said all He 
wished to say about Himself ; and He was. probably, con- 
cerned not to have Pilate interfere forcibly in His behalf, 
and thus keep Him from the cross. 

10 Authority to release Thee; Pilate owned his own re- 
sponsibility in the matter; and committed a crime, the 
extent of which was equal, possibly, to that of Judas; for 
Pilate let his fears drive him to kill Jesus. 

1 1 Unless it were given j/nu from above; whatever author-. 
ity Pilate had was to be traced to the Supreme Ruler of 
the universe, and he was responsible for the right ex- 

le of it. The Jewish council had abused the authority 
God had given them, and now they seek to force Pilate to 
abuse his. 



JOHN 



159 



release this Man, you are not 
friend; every one who makes himself a 
king speaks against Csesar." 13 Pilate, 
therefore, having heard these words, led 
Jesus without, and sat down on the judg- 
ment-seat at a place called the "Pave- 
ment," but, in Hebrew, "Gabbatha." 14 
And it was the Preparation of the passover: 
it was about the sixth hour. And he says 
to the Jews, "Behold, your King!" 15 
They, therefore, cried out, "Away with 
Eim! away with Him! Crucify Him ! ' 
Pilate says to them, ' ' Shall I crucify your 
King?" The high priests answered, "We 
have no king but Caesar!" 16 Then, there- 
fore, he delivered Him up to them to be cru 
cified. 17 They took Jesus, therefore; and 
bearing the cross for Himself, He went 
forth into the place called "Place of a 
Skull," which, in Hebrew, is called "Grol 
gotha;" 18 where they crucified Him, and 
two others with Him, one on each side, and 
Jesus in the midst. 19 And Pilate wrote 
a title also, and put it on the cross. And 
the writing was, "JESUS THE NAZA- 
RENE, THE KING OF THE JEWS." 

20 This title, therefore, many of the Jews 
read; because the place where Jesus was 
crucified was nigh to the city; and it was 
written in Hebrew, in Latin, in Greek. 

21 The high priests of the Jews, there- 
fore, said to Pilate, "Write not, 'The 
King of the Jews,' but that He said, I am 
King of the Jews." 22 Pilate answered, 
"What I have written, I have written." 

23 The soldiers, therefore, when they 
crucified Jesus, took His garments, and 
made four parts, to each soldier a part; 
and also the coat. And the coat was with- 
out a seam, woven from the top through- 
out. 24 They said, therefore, one to an- 
other, "Let us not rend it, but cast lots 
for it, whose it shall be; that the Scrip- 
ture might be fulfilled, which says, ' They 



divided My garments among themselves, 
and upon My vesture did they cast lots.' " 
The soldiers, therefore, did these things. 
25 But there were standing by the cross 
of Jesus His mother, and His mother's 
sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and 
Mary Magdalene. 26 eTesus, therefore, 
seeing His mother, and the disciple whom 
He loved standing by, saith to His mother, 
"Woman, behold your Son!" 27 Then 
saith He to the disciple, "Behold, your 
mother!" And from that hour the dis- 
ciple took her into his own home. 

28 After these things Jesus, knowing 
that all things have now been finished, 
that the Scripture might be fulfilled, saith, 
"I thirst." 29 There was set there a ves- 
sel full of vinegar; so, putting a sponge 
full of vinegar on hyssop, they bore it to 
His mouth. 30 When, therefore, Jesus 
received the vinegar. He said, "It has 
been finished;" and, bowing His head. He 
delivered up His spirit. 31 The Jews, 
therefore, (since it was the Preparation), 
that the bodies might not remain on the 
cross on the sabbath, (for the day of that 
sabbath was great), asked of Pilate that 
their legs might be broken, and they be 
taken away. 32 The soldiers, therefore, 
came, and broke the legs of the first, and 
of the other who was crucified with Him; 
33 but, when they came to Jesus, and saw 
that He was already dead, they broke not 
His legs; 34 but one of the soldiers witK 
a spear pierced His side, and straightway 
there came out blood and water. 35 And 
he who has seen has testified, and his tes- 
timony is true; and he knows that he says 
what is true, that ye also may believe. 36 
For these things came to pass, that the 
Scripture might be fulfilled, "A bone of 
Him shall not be broken." 37 And again 
another Scripture says, "They shall look 
on Him Whom they pierced." 



12 Not a friend of CcBsar; Tiberias Caesar, the emperor 
of the Roman empire Finding that Pilate cared nothing 
Cor their charge of blasphemy, they return to their former 
charge of treason against Caesar; and they connect Pilate 
himself with that charge, unless he shall consent to crucify 
Jesus. Pilate, unwilling to imperil his own safety, gives 
up his innocent Prisoner to death. 

13 On the judgment-seat; the place for pronouncing sen- 
tence against criminals. 

14 The Preparation; for the sabbath, or one of the sab- 
baths ; there being a week of sabbaths coming together at 
this feast. 

26 The disciple wh<m, He loved; ch. 13:23. 

27 Took her to his house; John gave the mother of Jesus 



a home in his own family. How considerate in the Savior 
provide a home for His mother, even while He was in 
the agonies of deathi 

28 The Scrijiture; Fs. W.21. 

30 It has been finished; His sufferings for the redemp- 
tion of man. The Lamb had now been slain ; and redemp- 
tion was purchased by His death, ffe delivered up His 
spirit; delivered up His spirit to the Father, or expired. 

35 Be who has seen; John Has testified; to the facts 
bearing upon, and leading to, the crucifixion and death of 
Christ. 

36 The Scripture; Ex. 12:46. The lamb of the passover 
was not to have a bone broken; and so the Anti-type must 
not have one of His bones broken. Note how exactly 
Jesus fulfilled every demand of prophecy. 



160 



JOHN 



38 And after these things Joseph of Ar- 
imathsea, being a disciple of Jesus, but se- 
cretly through fear of the Jews, asked of 
Pilate that he might take away the body 
of Jesus; and Pilate gave him perfnission. 
He came, therefore, and took away His 
body. 39 And there came also Nicode- 
mus, he who at the first came to Him by 
night, bringing a mixture of myrrh and 



aloes, about a hundred pounds. 40 So 
they took the body of Jesus, and bound it 
in linen cloths with the spices, as the cus- 
tom of Jews is to bury. 41 Now in the 
place where He was crucified there was a 
garden; and in the garden a new tomb, in 
which no one had yet been laid. 42 There, 
therefore, on account of the Preparation 
of the Jews (because the tomb was near), 
they laid Jesus. 



CHAPTER XX. 

THE RESURRECTION OF JESUS. 

I Now on the first day of the week, Mary 
Magdelene comes early in the morning, 
"while it was yet dark, to the tomb, and sees 
the stone taken out of the tomb. 2 She 
Tuns, therefore, and comes to Simon Peter, 
and to the other disciple whom Jesus loved, 
and says to them, "They took away the 
Lord out of the tomb, and we know not 
where they laid Him ! " 3 Peter, therefore, 
went forth, and the other disciple, and they 
were going to the tomb. 4 And the two 
were running together; and the other dis- 
ciple outran Peter, and came first to the 
tomb; 5 and, having stooped to look 
within, he beholds the linen cloths lying; 
yet he went not within. 6 Simon Peter, 
therefore, also comes, following him, and 
he went into the tomb; and beholds the 
linen cloths lying, 7 and the napkin that 
was on His head, not lying with the linen 
cloths, but rolled up in a place by itself. 8 
Then went in, therefore, the other disciple 
also, who came first to the tomb; and he 
saw, and believed; 9 for as jet they knew 
not the Scripture, that He must rise from 
the dead. 10 The disciples, therefore, 
Tvent away again to their own home. 

II But Mary was standing without by 



the tomb, weeping. So, as she was weep- 
ing, she stooped to look into the tomb; 12 
and she beholds two angels in white, sit- 
ting, one at the head, and one at the feet, 
where the body of Jesus had lain. 13. And 
they say to her, "Woman, why are you 
weeping?" She says to them, "Because 
they took away my Lord, and I know not 
where they laid Himl" 14 Having said 
these things, she turned back, and beholds 
Jesus standing, and knew not that it was 
Jgsus. 15 Jesus saith to her, "Woman, 
why are you weeping? Whom are you 
seeking? " She, supposing Him to be the 
gardener, says- to Him, " Sir, if thou didst 
bear Him away, tell me where thou didst 
lay Him, and I will take Him away ! " 16 
Jesus saith to her, "Mary!" Turning, 
she says to Him, in Hebrew, "Rabboni I " 
(which is to say. Teacher). 17 Jesus saith 
to her, "Touch Me not; for I have not yet 
ascended to My Father; but go to My 
brethren, and say to them, "I ascend to 
My Father and your Father, and to My 
God and your God." 

18 Mary Magdalene comes, proclaiming 
to the disciples, " I have seen the Lord, " 
and that He spake these things to her. 19 
When, therefore, it was evening, on that 
day, the first day of the week; and, when, 
through fear of the Jews, the doors were 



I 



NOTES ON CHAPTER XX. 
1 Mary Magdalene: lAa.tt.^-.X. 
3 The other disciple; John. 

8 Saw and believed; John saw the linen cloths, napkin, 
etc. ; and he now believed that Jesus had risen from the 
dead. If some one had stolen the body away, the linen 
cloths or bandages would have been taken with His body. 

9 For as vet; up to the time of these proofs of His resur- 
xection. Thev knew not the Scripture; Ps. 16:10. 

10 Went away . . . to their own home; Peter and John 
seem to have had no disposition to linger in the place 
where Jesus was last seen. 

11-16 What could surpass the earnestness and tender- 
ness of Mary Magdalene towards her crucified Lord I Well, 
too, was she compensated for her devotion to Him. Had 



Peter and John lingered, they might have had the honor of 
the same vision of their risen Lord I 

17 Touch Me not; Matt. 28:9. In Matthew the women 
held His feet, and worshiped Him; and that, before His 
public ascension to His Father, (Acts 1:9-11). The pre- 
sumption is that, soon after He first saw Mary Magdalene, 
He ascended to His Father, and then returned to instruct 
His disciples further, to give them opportunities for touch- 
ing Him, and examining His wounds, as further on in this 
chapter. 

19 The first day of the week; Jesus was raised on the 
first day of the week; and this is the most fitting day to 
meet for public worship, especially since Jesus arose on 
this day, the Holy Spirit descended on the first day, and the 
gentile Christians, with apostolic sanction, observed this 
day. 



JOHN 



161 



shut, where the disciples were; Jesus came 
and stood in the midst, and saith to them 
" Peace he to you I " 20 And, having said 
this, He showed them both His hands and 
His side. The disciples, therefore, re 
joiced, when they saw the Lord. 21 Jesus, 
therefore, said to them again, " Peace Z>( 
to you! As the Father hath sent Me, I 
also send you." 22 And, having said this, 
He breathed upon them, and said to them, 
" Receive ye the Holy Spirit. 23 Whose- 
soever sins ye remit, they are remitted to 
them; whosesoever si7is ye retain, they are 
retained." 

24 But Thomas, one of the twelve, 
called Didymus, was not with them when 
Jesus came. 25 The other disciples, there- 
fore, said to him, "We have seen the 
Lord!" But he said to them, "Unless I 
see in His hands the print of the nails, and 
put my finger into the print of the nails, 



and press my liand into His side, I will 
not believe." 

26 And, after eight days, again His dis- 
ciples were within, and Thomas with them. 
Jesus Cometh, the doors being shut, and 
stood in the midst, and said, "Peace he 
to you!" 27 Then He saith to Thomas, 
"Reach hither your finger, and see My 
hands; and reach hither your hand, and 
press it into My side; and be not faithless, 
but believing." 28 Thomas answered and 
said to Him, "My Lord and my God!" 
29 Jesus saith to him, "Because you have 
seen Me, you believe: happy are those 
who did not see, and yet believed." 

30 Many other signs, therefore, did 
Jesus in the presence of the disciples, 
which have not been written in this book; 
31 but these have been written, that ye 
may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the 
Son of God; and that, believing, ye may 
have life in His name. 



21 I send you: to proclaim the Gospel, and thus make 
known the way of salvation. 

22 Eeceice ye the Holy Spirit; it is supposable that the 
disciples received something of the Holy Spirit on this oc- 
casion; but they still needed, each, a personal Pentecost, 
or infilling of the Spirit, and enduement with power for 
their work. 

23 Remit , . . retain; the same power is here bestowed 
on all the apostles without distinction. In Matt. 16:19. 
this power seems to have been bestowed on Peter alone. 

2.D Thomas was mistaken in regard to the proof necessary 
to inspire his belief in the resurrection of Christ, as an- 
nounced by the other disciples; for. a little later, the sight 



of Jesus and hearing His voice proved quite sufficient to 
awaken his belief, (vs. 27. 28). 
26 After eioht days; on the next Lord's day, 

28 My Lord and My God; Jesus regarded this as proof 
of the faith of Thomas, and showed no displeasUre at be- 
ing called God. 

29 Happy are those who saw not, and yet believed; Thomas 
was now happy in believing; but he was not more happy 
than those who had believed without seeing. In fact, the 
Savior seems to commend the faith that is not based on 
sight. 

Many other sians; miracles. John does not pretend 

record all the miracles wrought by Jesus, but confesses 

that there were many of which he made no specific mention. 



CHAPTER XXI. 

JESUS AT THE SEA OF TIBERIAS. 

1 After these things Jesus manifested 
Himself again to the disciples at the sea of 
Tiberias; and He manifested Himself in 
this manner. 2 There were together Si- 
mon Peter, and Thomas called Didymus, 
and Nathaniel of Cana in Galilee, and the 
sons of Zebedee, and two others of His 
disciples. 3 Simon Peter says to them, 
"I am going away to fish." They say 
to him, "We also are coming with you." 
They went forth, and entered into a boat; 
and in that night they caught nothing. 4 
But, morning now coming on, Jesus stood 



on the beach; yet the disciples knew not 
that it was Jesus. 5 Jesus, therefore, 
saith to them, "Little children, have ye 
anything to eat?" They answered Him, 
'No." 6 And He said to them, "Cast 
the net on the right side of the boat, and 
ye shall find." They cast it^ therefore; 
and no longer were they able to draw it, 
for the multitude of the fishes. 7 That 
disciple, therefore, whom Jesus loved, 
says to Peter, "It is the Lord!" Simon 
Peter, therefore, having heard that it was 
the Lord, girded his outer garment (for he 
was naked), and cast himself into the sea. 
8 But the other disciples came in the little 
boat (for they were not far from the land. 



NOTES ON CHAPTER XXI. 

1 Sea of Tiberias ; also called the sea of Galilee. (Matt. 
4:18; 26:32) ; and the lake of Gennesaret, (Luke 5:1). 

3 Caught nothing; how often do "fishers of men" catch 
nothing, because they labor without any clear guidance 
from the Master. 



5 Anything to eat; the word in the Greek points to 
something to be eaten with bread ; as, fllesh. or fish. 

Was naked; had put off his outer garment only; and 
now he puts it on. 

About two hundred cubits; about one hundred yards. 



162 



JOHN 



but about two hundred cubits distant), 
dragging the net full of fishes. 

9 When, therefore, they went out upon 
the land, they see a fire of coals there, and 
fish lying thereon, and bread. 10 Jesus 
saith to them, "Bring of the fishes which 
ye just now caught." 11 Simon Peter, 
therefore, went aboard, and drew the net 
to the land, full of great fishes, a hundred 
and fifty and three; and, though there 
were so many, the net was not rent. 12 
Jesus saith to them, "Come, take break 
fast."^ And not one of the disciples was 
daring to inquire of Him, "Who art Thou? " 
knowing that it was the Lord. 13 Jesus 
Cometh, and taketh the bread, and giveth 
to them, and the fish likewise. 14 This is 
now the third time that Jesus was mani 
f ested to the disciples, after He was raised 
from the dead. 

15 So, when they breakfasted, Jesus 
saith to Simon Peter, "Simon, son of 
John,^ do you love me more than these?" 
He says to Him, "Yea, Lord, Thou know 
est that I am fond' of Thee." He saith 
to him, "Feed My lambs." 16 He saith 
to him again a second time, " Simon, son of 
John,^ do you love Me ? " He says to Him 
"Yea, Lord, Thou knowest that I am 
fond' of Thee." He saith to him, "Feed 
My sheep." 17 He saith to him the third 
time, "Simon, sonoi John, are you fond 
of Me ? " Peter was grieved, because He 
said to him the third time, "Are you fond 



1 Or, break your fast, a Gr. Joanes. 
8 Or, esteeem as a friend. — Rotherham. 



of Me;" and he said to Him, "Lord, 
Thou knowest all things; Thou knowest 
that I am fond of Thee." Jesus saith to 
him, "Feed My sheep. 18 Verily, verily, 
I say to you, when you were young, you 
were wont to gird yourself, and to walk 
wheresoever you wished; but, when you 
become old, you will stretch forth your 
hands, and another will gird you, and 
carry you whither you wish not." 19 
Now this He spake, signifying by what 
manner of death he would glorify God. 
And, having spoken this. He saith to him, 
"Follow Me." 20 Peter, turning about, 
sees the disciple whom Jesus loved follow- 
ing; who also at the Supper leaned back 
on Jesus' breast, and said, "Lord, who is 
he that betrays Thee?" 21 Peter, there- 
fore, seeing him, says to Jesus, "Lord, 
and what ^oill this man doP'' 22 Jesus 
saith to him, "If I wish him to remain till 
I come, what^V it to you? follow Me." 

23 This saying, therefore, went forth 
among the brethren, that that disciple 
should not die; yet Jesus did not say to 
him, that he should not die, but, "If I 
wish him to remain till I come, what is it 
to you?" 

24 This is the disciple who testifies con- 
cerning these things, and wrote these 
things; and we know that his testimony is 
true. 

25 And there are also many other things 
which Jesus did; which, indeed, were they 
written one by one, I suppose that not 
even the world itself would contain the 
books that would he written. 



9 A fire of coals; a fire made of charcoal. Fish; fish 
that Jesus provided — possibly in a miraculous way. 

14 The. third time; His third appearance to the apostles 
when together. 

15-17 More than these; more than the other disciples. 
Note the fact that Peter, while he avers his fondness for 
Jesus, does not claim in his answer to love Jesus, or to 
be more loyal to Him, than any of the rest. He does not 
answer Jesus in the use of the same verb that Jesus used in 
His question (which is Aoapao) ; but he uses altogether a 
different word (Phileo— which denofes friendship). Prob- 
ably Peter meant to use a stronger word than the one 
Jesus used; using, as he did, phileo instead of agapao 
throughout. Let no one suppose, however, that agapao 
is a feeble word; for it was strong enough to induce the 
Father to give His Son for the redemption of mankind, 
(ch. 3:16). Peter had a wonderfully responsible ministry 
before him. in feeding the lambs, tending (or shepherding), 
and feeding the sheep. Besides this, he was to be a suc- 
cessful fisher of men. 



17 Feter was grieved; he was pained at the deep probing 
of his Teacher, and was reminded, very likely, of his 
thrice denying his liOrd. Peter is now fully restored to 
his former place. 

18 Another will girdyou; bind you for execution. Tra- 
ition says that Peter was crucified with his head down. 

20 Whom Jesus loved; literally, was loving; showing 
that His love for John was not a temporary affection, but 
continuous. 

21 What will this man do; what will John do ? What 
will be his doom ? What is it to you; it would do Peter 
no good to know how John would wind up his earthly ca- 
reer. We should not seek to pry into the future. 

Would not die; they misunderstood the Savior's 
meaning, 

24 This disciple; John. 

25 Contain the books; a strong expression indicating 
that it would have required many volumes to contain all 
of His teachings. 



— THE 



ACTS OF THE Al^OSTLES. 



Luke the -writer of the third Gospel, is the writer also of the Acts, (Acts 1:1). He appears as the traveling com- 
panion of Paul in ch. XVI:10-17. and from eh. XX:5 to the close of the book. He gives an outline of Peter's principal 
works, with incidents in the labors of others, from ch. II— XII. From ch. XIII— XXIII, Paul is the principal figure. 
The book appears to have been written about A. D. 64. 

CONTENTS. 

I Acts of Peter, John, Stephen and Philip, (I— XII). 1. Preparation foi'. and reception of, the Holy Spirit, (I— 
II) 2 The establishment of the Assembly in Jerusalem [including Pentecost, (II), and other mighty works, (III— 
IV)] (III— V) 3 Appointment of deacons. (VI). 4 The activity of Stephen, and his martyrdom, (VII). 5 Persecu- 
tion and dispersion of the disciples,— Philip in Samaria.— Saul converted. (VIII— IX). 6 Peter carries the Gospel to 
Cornelius, (X— XI). 7 Peter's imprisonment and miraculous release. (XII). 

II. Actsof Paul, Barnabas, and Silas. (XIII— XXVIII). 1 Paul's first missionary journey, (XIII— XIV). 2 
Apostolic conference at Jerusalem, (XV). 3 Paul's second missionary journey, (XVI— XVIII). 4 Paul's third mis- 
sionary iournev, (XIX— XX-15). 5 Paul's arrival at Jerusalem, and his arrest. (XX:16— XXIII-30). 6 Paul at 
Csesarea. (XXlil;31— XXVI). 7 Voyage and shipwreck, (XXVII). 8 His journey to Rome and two years detention 
there. (XXVIII). 



ACTS. 

CHAPTEE I. 

THE INTRODUCTION. 

1 The first narrative/ indeed, I made, 
O Theophilus, concerning all things that 
Jesus began both to do and to teach, 2 
until the day in which He was taken up, 
afterhsiYmg given commandment, through 
the Holy Spirit, to the apostles whom He 
chose; 3 to whom He also presented Him- 
self alive, after He suffered, by many 
proofs; being seen by them during forty 
days, an(l speaking the things concerning 
the Kingdom of God. 4 And, being as- 
sembled together with thetn, He com- 
manded them not to depart from Jerusa- 
lem, but to wait for the promise of the 
Father, which said Jle, "Ye heard from 
Me; 5 because John, indeed, immersed 
in water, ^ but ye shall be immersed in the 
Holy Spirit, not many days hence." 



) They, therefore, having* come to- 
gether, were asking Him, saying, "Lord, 
dost Thou at this time restore the King- 
dom to Israel ? " 7 He said to them, ' ' It 
is not yours to know times or seasons, 
which the Father placed^ in His own au- 
thority; 8 but ye shall receive power, 
the Holy Spirit having come upon you, 
and ye shall be witnesses both in Jerusa- 
lem, and in all Judaea, and Samaria, and 
to the utmost limit of the earth." 

9 And, having said these things, while 
they were beholding. He was taken up, 
and a cloud received Him from their 
sight.* 10 And, as they were gazing in- 
tently into the heaven, while He was as- 
cending, behold, also two men stood by 
them in white apparel, 11 who also said, 

Men of Galilee, why do ye stand looking 
into the heaven? This Jesus, Who was 
taken up from you into Heaven, shall so 
come in like manner as ye beheld Him 
ascending into Heaven." 



1 Or, word. 2 i. e., in the Jordan. 



Or. appointed by, etc. 4 Gr. Eyes. 



NOTES ON CHAPTER I. 

1 The first narrative; the Gospel of Luke. Theophilus; 
some friend of Luke ; and the same to whom he addressed 
his Gospel. (Luke 1:3). Began both to do and to teach; 
meaning that he gave an account of both the miracles and 
the teachings of Jesus from the beginning of His public 
ministry. 

2 The day on which Be was taken up; ascended to 
Heaven, (Luke 24:51). 

3 After He suffered; after His death on the cross. 

4 The promise of the Father; the promise of the Holy 
Spirit, (see Joel 2:28, 29; John 4:14; 7:38; 14:16, 17). Heard 
of Me; Jesus had told the disciples about this great prom 
ise. 

5 John, indeed, immersed in water; the preposition is 
not expressed here in the Greek, but it is expressed in 
Matt. 3:11, and it was done in the river Jordan, (Matt. 
Mark 1:5); and as baptism is a burial, (Rom. 6:4), the 
water was not applied to the subject, but the subject was 



immersed in water. Hence in ch. 1 :5 the dative (hudati) is 
properly rendered " in water." 

6 Dost Thou at this time restore the Kingdom to Israel; 
they still did not understand the nature of the Savior's 
mission to earth; nor did they till after Pentecost. 

7 Times and seasons; the words contain a rebuke to 
their excessive curiosity about the government they sup- 
posed He had come to set up. 

8 ye s?iaU receive power; the true dynamite; He again 
calls their attention to the great work of the Spirit, and 
seeks to interest them in Him. The Holy Spirit having 
come upon you; or when the Holy Spirit has come upon 
you. The Spirit brings the power. 

10 Two men; angels in the form of men. (Luke 24:4; 
John 20:12). 

11 So come in like manner; He will come personally and 
visibly. He will return to the mount of Olives, from which 
He ascended. (Zech. 14:4) ; and will come with His saints, 
(Zech. 14:5; Jude 14). This coming implies that the rap- 
ture, (I Cor. 15:51 52; I Thess. 4:15-18. and Rev. 12:5), had 
already taken place. 



164 



ACTS 



THE DISCIPLES RETURN TO JERUSALEM. 

12 Then they returned to Jerusalem 
from a mount called Olivet, which is near 
Jerusalem, a sabbath day's journey. 13 
And, when they entered, they went up 
into the upper-room, where they were 
abiding; both Peter and John, and James, 
and Andrew, Philip, and Thomas, Bar- 
tholomew, and Matthew, James the son 
of Alphaeus, and Simon the Zealot, and 
Judas the son of James. 14 These all 
were continuing with one accord in prayer, 
with the women, and Mary the mother of 
Jesus, and with His brothers. '' 

THE APOSTLES CHOOSE MATTHIAS TO FILL 
THE PLACE OF JUDAS. 

15 And, in those days, Peter, standing 
up in the midst of the brethren, said, (and 
there was a multitude of persons" together, 
about a hundred and twenty), 16 "Breth- 
ren, it was necessary that the Scripture 
should be fulfilled, which the Holy Spirit 
spake beforehand, through the mouth of 
David, concerning Judas, who became 
guide to those who arrested Jesus; 17 
because he was numbered among us, and 
obtained the portion ^ of this ministry. 18 
This man, indeed, therefore, acquired a 



field with the reward of unrighteousness; 
and, falling headlong, he burst asunder in 
the midst, and all his bowels gushed out; 
19 and it became known to all those dwell- 
ing at Jerusalem; so that place was called, 
in their own language, Akeldama, that is, 
'Field of blood.' 20 For it has been 
written in a book of Psalms, ' Let his habi- 
tation become desolate, and let no one 
dwell in it.' And, 'His charge,' let an- 
other take.' 

21 "It is needful, therefore, that one of 
these men — who accompanied us all the 
time that the Lord went in and out among 
us, 22 beginning from the immersion of 
John, until the day on which He was taken 
up from us — should become a witness, 
with us, of His resurrection." 23 And 
they proposed two; Joseph called Barsa- 
bas, who was surnamed Justus, and Mat- 
thias. 24 And, praying, they said, "Thou, 
Lord, Who knowest the hearts of all men, 
show which of these two Thou didst choose, 
25 to take the place of this ministry and 
apostleship, from which Judas fell away, 
that he might go to his own place." 26 
And they gave lots for them; and the lot 
fell upon Matthias; and he was numbered 
with the eleven apostles. 



5 Or, brethren. 6 Gr. Names. 7 Gr. Lot. 



12 A sabbath day's journey : sometlimg less than a mile. 

14 Mary, the mother of Jesus; this is the only time she 
is mentioned after the resurrection of Christ, and she 
seems to have had no advantage over any of the other 
Marys mentioned in the Gospel. 

16 r7iis Scripture; quoted in v. 20from Ps. 69:25. 

18 This man acquired a field; incidentally supplied the 
money, as a result of his betrayal of Christ, to purchase 
the Potter's field, (Matt. 27:7). Falling headlong; JaAas 
first hanged himself. (Matt. 27:5), and then fell as described 
in V. 18. 



20 The book of Psalms: 69:25. Charge; his ministerial 
office. 

22 Beginning from John; from the time when Jesus was 
immersed at the hands of John the Immerser. 

24 Who Ttnowest the hearts of all; no one besides God 
knows all that is in man, (Ps. 139:1,23; John 2:24, 25. etc.). 

25 That he might go to his own place; the place for which 
he was fitted — the place of torment. 

N. B.— Some think that the calling of Matthias into 
the apostolic office was null and void, because the thing 
seems to have originated with Peter before Pentecost. 



CHAPTEE II. 

THE DAY OF PENTECOST. 

1 And, when the day of Pentecost was 
being fulfilled' they were all together in 
one place; 2 and suddenly there came out 
of Heaven a sound, as of a rushing mighty 
wind, and it filled the whole house where 



1 Implying that it had come. 



they were sitting. 3 And there appeared 
to them tongues, as of fire, distributed 
among them; and it sat upon each one of 
them. 4 And they were all filled with the 
Holy Spirit, and began to speak with other 
tongues, even as the Spirit was giving them 
to declare. 

6 Now there were dwelling in Jerusalem 
Jews, devout men, from every nation un- 



NOTES ON CHAPTER II. 
1 Pentecost; the fiftieth day after the Passover; and it 
was the name of a feast. 

3 Tongues, as of fire; in the form of tongues divided, 
and having the appearance ol fire, and rested upon the 
apostles. 

4 Filled with the Boly Spirit; they were also immersed 
in the Holy Spirit, (ch, 1:5; Matt, 3:11; Mark 1:8; Luke 



3:16), and received the gift of the Holy Spirit, (v. .38; ch. 
10:45). This gracious experience— whether considered as 
an immersion in the Holy Spirit, or a filling with, or the 
gift of. the Holy Spirit, is the privilege of every true be- 
liever, (v. 39), and his duty, (Eph. 5:18). 

5 Dwelling in Jerusalem; sojourning there during the 
feast of Pentecost, From every nation; meaning from 
many countries or nationalities. 



ACTS 



165 



der heaven; 6 and, when this report was 
heard,'' the multitude came together, and 
were greatly surprised, because each one 
heard them speaking in his own language. 
7 And they were amazed, and wondered, 
saying, "Behold, are not all these who 
are speaking Galilajans? 8 And how do 
we hear, each in our own language in which 
we were born; 9 Parthians, and Medes, 
and Elamites, and the dwellers in Mesopo- 
tamia, . and in Judsea, and Cappadocia, 
Pontus and Asia, 10 Phrygia and Pam- 
phylia, Egypt, and the parts of Lybia 
about Cyrene, and sojourners from Rome, 
both Jews and proselytes, 11 Cretans, 
and Arabians — we hear them speaking in 
our own languages the wonderful works 
of God?" 12 And they were all amazed, 
and perplexed, saying one to another, 
"AVhat does this mean!'" 13 And oth- 
ers, mocking, said, "They have been filled 
with sweet wine!" 

14 But Peter, standing up with the 
eleven, lifted up liis voice, and declared to 
them, "Men of Judeea, and all those 
dwelling in Jerusalem, be this known to 
you, and give ear to my words ; 1 5 for these 
are not drunken, as ye suppose, for it is 
the third hour of the day; 16 but this is 
that which was spoken through the prophet 
Joel: 17 'And it shall be in the last 
days,' saith God, 'I will pour out of My 
Spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and 
your daughters shall prophesy, and your 
young men shall see visions, and your old 
men shall dream dreams; 18 yea, and on 
My servants and on My handmaidens in 
those days will I pour out of My Spirit, 
and they shall prophesy. 



2 Gr. Made. 3 Gr. TFish tri 7)6. 



19 'And 1 will show* wonders in the 
heaven above, and signs upon the earth 
beneath — blood, and fire, and vapor of 
smoke. 20 The sun shall be turned into 
darkness, and the moon into blood, before 
the great and notable day of the Lord 
comes. 21 And it shall be, that every one 
who calls on the name of the Lord shall be 
saved.' 

22 "Men of Israel, hear these words: 
Jesus, the Nazarene, a man accredited 
from God to you by miracles, and won- 
ders, and signs, which God did through 
Him in the midst of you, even as ye your- 
selves know; 23 This Man, delivered up 
by the settled counsel and foreknowledge 
of God, ye, having fastened to the cross, 
through the hand of lawless ones, did slay: 
2-4 Wiiom God raised up, having loosed the 
pangs of death; because it was not possible 
that He should be held by it. 25 For 
David says concerning Him, ' I beheld the 
Lord in my presence continually; because 
He is on my right hand, that I should not 
be moved. 26 Therefore, my heart was 
glad, -and my tongue greatly rejoiced; 
moreover my flesh shall abide in hope; 
27 because Thou wilt not leave My soul 
behind unto'' Hades; neither wilt Thou 
give Thy Holy One to see corruption. 28 
Thou didst make known to Me the •ways of 
life; Thou wilt make Me full of gladness 
with Thy presence.' 

29 "Brethren! It is permitted to speak 
to you freely concerning the patriarch 
David, that he both died, and was buried; 
and his tomb is among us till this day; 30 
being, therefore, a prophet, and knowing 
that with an oath God swore to him, out 



1 Gr. Give. 5 Or. for. 



6-10 Greatly surprised; at the many languages spoken 
by these uncultured Galilceans; the people of each na- 
tionality hearing- these Spirit-filled people speak the lan- 
guage of his own country. This was. indeed, wonderful. 
Proselytes; gentiles converted to the Jewish faith. 

11 The wonderful works of God; respecting His Son. 
and the redemption wrought through Him. 

14 The eleven; the eleven apostles. 

15 The thirdhour; nine o'clock in the morning. 

16 This is that spoken through Joel; Joel 2:28-32. Peter 
does not quote the exact words of Joel, but gives the sense 
of the prophecy. 

17 7?i<A« Zos< day«; in the Gospel dispensation. See vis- 
ions .. , . dream dreams; these are some of the ways in 
which God reveals His will to His servants. (Matt. 2:13). 

18 Shall prophesy ; foretell future events through the in- 
spiration of the Spirit. The word also has a secondary 
meaning, to teach, or to speak unto edification and com- 
fort. (I Cor. 14:3). 



19 Shoxo wonders; such as are spoken of in Matt. 24:39- 
42; Luke 21 :25-36. 

20 Sun turned into darkness; this will, likely, be fulfilled 
during the great tribulation, (Rev. 6:12). 

21 Call upon the name of the Lord; Rom. 10:13-14; I 
Cor. 1:2. 

23 Delivered up; though Christ's crucifixion took place 
in accordance with the settled counsel of God. it was ex- 
ceedingly wicked, on the part of Judas, to betray Him, and 
on the part of those who instigated His death, and cruci- 
fied Him. 

24 It was not possible; according to the Scriptures, 
which required that He should rise from the dead, (Ps. 
16:10). 

26 My flesh shall abide in hope; in hope of the resurrec- 
tion, without decaying in the grave. 

27 Hades; the place of departed spirits. There are two 
apartments in Hades; one for the righteous, and the other 
for the wicked, (Luke 16:22. 23). 

30 Sworn luith an oath; II Sam. 7:16; Ps. 89:3. 4, 35-37. 



r 



166 



ACTS 



of the fruit of his loins One should sit on 
his throne; 31 he, foreseeing it, spake 
concerning the resurrection of Christ, that 
neither was He left behind unto^ Hades, 
nor did His flesh see corruption. 

32 "This Jesus God raised up; of 
which fact we all are witnesses. 33 Be- 
ing, therefore, exalted at" the right hand 
of God, and having received from the 
Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, He 
was pouring forth this which ye both see 
and hear. 34 For David did not ascend 
into Heaven; but he himself says, 'The 
Lord said to my Lord, sit at My right 
hand, 35 till I make Thy foes a footstool 
for Thy feet.' 

36 "Therefore, let all the house of Is- 
rael know assuredly, that God made Him 
both Lord and Christ — This Jesus Whom 
ye crucified." 

37 And, hearing this, they were pricked 
in the heart, and said to Peter, and the 
rest of the apostles, "Brethren! what 
shall we do?" 38 And Peter said to 
them, "Eepent, and be immersed each one 
of you, in the name of Jesus Christ, unto 
remission of your sins; and ye shall re- 
ceive the gift of the Holy Spirit; 39 for 



the promise is to you, and to your chil- 
dren, and to all those afar oflp — as many as 
the Lord our God shall call to Him.'''' 

40 Also with many other words he tes- 
tified, and exhorted them, saying, "Be 
saved from this perverse generation!" 

41 Those, indeed, therefore, who gladly 
received his word, were immersed; and 
there were added to them on that day 
about three thousand souls; 42 and they 
were constantly attending the teaching 
of the apostles and the fellowship,' and 
the breaking of bread, and the prayers. 
43 And fear was coming upon every soul; 
and many wonders and signs were coming 
to pass through the apostles. 44 And all 
who believed ivere together, and were 
holding all things common; 45 and they 
were selling their possessions and goods, 
and were distributing them to all, according 
as any one had need. 46 And they, con- 
tinuing daily with one accord in the tem- 

, and breaking bread at their homes, 
were partaking of food in gladness and 
singleness of heart: 47 praising God, 
and having favor with all the people. 
And the Lord was adding to them daily 
those who were being saved. 



5 Or, for. 6 Or, ly. 



33 Having received the promise; Luke 24:49; John 14:16. 
17, 26; 15:26; 16:7, etc. 

34 Sit Thou on My right hand: the place of honor and 
power; Jesus is to be honored, and His enemies all sub- 
dued. 

37 Pricked in the heart; deeply convicted of sin. What 
shall loe do; to escape guilt and punishment, seeing that 
we crucified the Lord Jesus. 

38 Eepent; hate your sins, and turn away Irom them. 
Be immersed; to show your death, burial, and resurrection 
with Christ to newness of lite. (Rom. 6:4; Col. 2:12); not 
to bring all this about, but to declare 3-our faith in Hi 
and show forth by a visible, outward ordinance, the change 
that has been wrought in you already by the Holy Spirit. 
The gift of the Holy Spirit; the same as that received by 



CHAPTER HL 

THE LAME MAN HEALED. 

1 Now Peter and John were going up 
into the temple at the hour of prayer — ^the 
ninth hour. 2 And a certain man, lame 
from his mother's womb, was being carried 
along, whom they were wont to lay daily 
at the gate of the temple — which was called 

NOTES ON CHAPTER IIL 

1 The ninth Twntr/ three o'clock in the afternoon. The 

Jews had three hours of prayer ; at nine o'clock, twelve, and 

three, (Dan. 6:10; Ps. 55:17). 



7 Or, the distributio 



the disciples, less the tongues of fire. etc. Of course, it is 
here implied that, after their acceptance of Christ, they 
were to surrender themselves to God, in order to receive 
this Gift. 

The promise is to . . . all; that is. every true be- 
liever should be filled with the Holy Spirit; but all are 
not so filled. 

40 Be saved; by giving up your sins, and believing in 
Christ. 

41 Gladly received his word; believed what Peter said, 
Were immersed; none but believers are entitled to this or- 
dinance. 

45 Were selling their possessions; their property was 
likely to be confiscated ; and they were led to sell it. 
Spirit-fllled people do not hold property as their own, but 
as God's stewards 



" Beautiful" — to ask alms of those enter- 
ing the temple; 3 who, seeing Peter and 
John about to go into the temple, was ask- 
ing to receive an alms. 4 And Peter, fix- 
ing his eyes upon him, with John, said, 
Look on us." 6 And he was giving heed 
to them, expecting to receive something 
from them. 6 But Peter said, " Silver 
and gold have I none; but what I have, 

2 Called Beautiful; a beautiful gate on the east side of 
the temple, near where Solomon's porch formerly stood. 

6 What I have; viz. , the power to heal him. In the name 
of Jesus Christ; the true servants of God, whom God has 
given the ministry of healing, are nothing in themselves. 



ACTS 



167 



this I give to you. In the name of Jesus 
Chi'ist, the Nazarene, walk." 7 And, seiz- 
ing him by the right hand, he raised /am 
up; and instantly his feet and ankles were 
strengthened; 8 and, leaping forth, he 
stood up, and was walking about; and he 
entered with them into the temple, walk- 
ing, and leaping, and praising God. 9 
And all the people saw him walking about, 
and praising God; 10 and they were rec- 
ognizing him, that this was he who was 
wont to sit for alms, at the Beautiful gate 
of the temple; and they were filled with 
wonder and amazement at that which had 
happened to him. 

11 And, as he was holding Peter and 
John, all the people ran together to them 
in the porch, which is called Solomon's, 
greatly astonished. 12 And Peter, seeing 
^V, spake to the people, "Men of Israel, 
why do ye wonder at this ? Or why look 
ye so intently on us, as though by our own 
power or godliness we had made him to 
walk ? 13 The God of Abraham and Isaac 
and Jacob, the God of our fathers, glori- 
fied His CMld ^ Jesus, Whom ye, indeed, 
delivered up, and denied before Pilate's 
face, when he gave judgment to release 
Ifhn; 14 but ye denied the Holy and 
Eighteous One, and asked that a man — a 
murderer — be granted to you; 15 and the 
Prince of life ye killed; Whom God raised 
from the dead — of which fact we are wit- 
nesses. 16 And His name, by the faith of 
His name, gave strength to this man, 



Or, Servant. 



whom ye see and know: yea, the faith 
which is through Him gave him this per- 
fect soundness in the presence of you all. 
17 "And now, brethren, I know that in 
ignorance ye did -it, as did also your rulers; 

18 but God tlms fulfilled what He before 
announced through the mouth of all His 
propliets, that His Christ should suffer. 

19 Eepont ye, therefore, and turn, that 
your sins may be blotted out, that so there 
may come seasons of refreshing from the 
presence of the Lord; 20 and that He may 
send forth Christ Jesus who had heen be- 
fore appointed for you; 21 Whom Heaven, 
indeed, must retain, until the times of 
restoration of all things of which God 
spake through the mouth of all His holy 
prophets from the beginning. 22 Moses, 
indeed, said, 'A prophet will the Lord 
your God raise up for you from among 
your brethren, as He did me; to Him shall 
ye hearken in all things, whatsoever He 
shall say to you. 23 And it shall be, that 
every soul that will not hearken to that 
Prophet, shall be utterly destroyed from 
among the people.' 24 And also all the 
prophets from Samuel and those in succes- 
sion, as many as spake, also foretold these 
days. 25 Ye are the sons of the prophets, 
and of the covenant which God made with 
your fathers, saying to Abraham, 'And in 
your Seed shall all the families of the earth 
be blessed.' 26 To you first, God, having 
raised up His Child, sent Him forth, bless- 
ing you, in turning away every one of you 
from your iniquities." 



Taut do all through the power of Christ. Christ, however, 
healed in His own power, always acting in harmony with 
the Father. (John 5:36; 10:25). 

13 Olorified His Child; by raising Him from the dead, 
and thus showing Him to be the Messiah. 

14 Deniedthe Holy and Righteous One; Ps. 16:10. 

16 His Name; His power. Faith was the means, Peter 
the instrument, and Christ the Agent, of this miracle. 

17 In ignorance ; the Jews did not know that in crucify- 
ing Jesus they were slaying their own Messiah; but they 
ought to have known it; and would have done so, had they 
laid aside their prejudice, and used the means of knowledge 
which was in theirreach, (John 15:24, 25; a;20). 

18 That His Christ should suffer; Ps. 22:15-18; Isa. 53: 
3-10; Dan. 9:26. 

19 Repent, and turn; repentance and turning from sin 
are very closely related, even as antecedent and conse- 
quent. That seasons of refreshing may come; seasons of 
spiritual refreshing come to all who truly repent and turn 
from sin. Bepentanoe is not sufficiently understood. In 
tact, there is a great tendency in our times to crowd it out, 
as something unnecessary; it being assumed that, it one 
simply believes, he is all right, regardless of repentance; 
whereas, saving faith is possible to none but the truly pen- 
itent. 



20 That He may send forth Christ Jesus; Christ will come 
for His saints ; and with them, lo establish universal peace 
and order on the earth. Beyond all this, the eternal cycles 
of glory and bliss will come, of which the Pentecostal 
blessings, which had just begun to be realized a little be- 
fore Peter's address to the people, were foretastes. 

21 Times of restoration of all things; when CY -ist comes, 
and assumes personal control of the earth (Zech. 14:9), 
universal order will be restored ; and, beyond that, when 
the last enemy shall be conquered, and Satan and all his 
hosts have been consigned to the lake of flre (Rev. 20:10, 
15), righteousness will be restored to God's dominions. 

22 Moses, indeed, said; Deut. 18:15-19. As He did me; 
Christ, like Moses, was appointed by God to make His will 
known to the people; but Christ was immeasurably above 
Moses. 

23 Will not heaa-ken. to That Prophet; will not obey 
Christ. How impious it is for a mere man to claim to be 
This Prophet I 

24 Samuel; II Sam. 7:16, 25, 29. 

25 Which Ood made with our Fathers; Gten. 12:3; 18:18; 
Gal. 3:16. 

26 To you first; the Jews, Isa. 59:20; Matt. 10:5, 6; Luke 
24:47; John 1:11. 



168 



ACTS 



CHAPTER IV. 



THE ABBEST OF PETER AND JOHN. 

1 But, as they were speaking to the 
people, the priests, and the captain of the 
temple, and the Sadducees, came upon 
them, 2 being greatly troubled because 
of their teaching the people, and declaring 
in Jesus the resurrection from the dead. 
3 And they laid hands on them, and put 
them in custody till the next day; for it 
was now evening. 4 And many of those 
who heard the word believed; and the 
number of the men became about five 
thousand. 

5 And it came to pass, the next day, 
that their rulers and elders and scribes 
were gathered together in Jerusalem, 6 
and Annas the high priest, and Caiaphas, 
and John, and Alexander, and as many as 
were of the kindred of the high priest. 
7 And, having set them in the midst, 
they were inquiring, "In what power 
or in what name, did ye do this?" 8 
Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, 
said to them, "Rulers of the people and 
elders, 9 if we are this day examined in 
regard to a good deed done to an impotent 
man, by what^ means this person has been 
made whole ;^ 10 be it known to you all 
and to all the people of Israel, that in the 
Name of Jesus Christ, theNazarene, Whom 
ye crucified. Whom God raised from the 
dead, in Him does this man stand here 
before you well! 11 This is the Stone 
that was set at naught by you, the build- 
ers, Which was made into a head of a cor- 
ner. 12 And in no, one else is there sal- 



Or, in Whom. 2 Or. 



vation; for neither is there any other 
name under Heaven, that has been given 
among men, in Which we must be saved." 

13 Now, beholding the boldness of Peter 
and John, and perceiving that they were 
unlettered and ignorant men, they were 
wondering; they also were recognizing 
them, that they had been with Jesus; 14 
and, seeing the man who had been healed, 
standing with them, they had nothing to 
say against it. 15 But, having ordered 
them to go aside out of the Sanhedrin, 
they were conferring one with another, 
16 saying, "What shall we do to these 
men? for, indeed, that a notable sign has 
been done through them is manifest to all 
those dwelling in Jerusalem, and we can- 
not deny it; 17 but, that it spread no 
further among the people, let us threaten 
them, that they speak no more to any man 
in This Name." 18 And, having called 
them they charged them not to speak at 
all, nor teach, in the name of Jesus. 19 
But Peter and Jolm, answering, said to 
them, "Whether it is right in the sight of 
God to hearken to you, rather than to 
God, judge ye; 20 for we cannot but 
speak the things which we saw and heard." 
21 And they, when they had further 
threatened them, released them, finding 
no way to punish them, on account of the 
people; because all were glorifying God 
for what had taken place; 22 for the 
man, on whom this sign of healing had 
been done, was mor§ than forty years old. 

23 And, being released, they went to 
their own friends^ and reported all that 
the high priests and the elders said to 
them. 24 And they, having heard it., 



NOTES ON CHAPTER IV. 

i About Jive thousand; it is probable that this was 

the entire number of believing men. including those who 

had believed before Pentecost, as also those who believed 

on this occasion. 

5 Eulers; members of Jewish Sanhedrin, about seventy 
in all; having the general superintendence of public af 
fairs. 

6 Annas; who had been high priest, and was the father- 
in-law of Caiaphas. the high priest then in charge. 

7 Inwhat poioer; or by whose power. 

8 Filled with the Holy Spirit; Peter had been filled with 
the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost; but he is filled 
again for the present crisis. He needed special wisdom 
power, and courage, for the present crisis, and this came by 
a fresh filling. 

10 In the name of Jesus Christ, the Nazarene; the power 
to heal was connected with Jesus, and issued from Him 
U The stone: Ps. 118:22; Isa. 28:16; Matt. 21:42. 



12 In no one else is salvation; there is no other person, 
and no other plan, that can bring salvation to man, than 
Christ and His Gospel. (Acts 10:43; I Tim. 2:5. 6). 

13 Unlettered and ignorant men; uneducated men in the 
common walks of life. Were recognizing them; as those 
who had been associated with Jesus. 

14 Nothing against it; they could not deny the miracle 
of healing, or gainsay the greatness of the favor bestowed 
on the lame man. 

17 It ; the knowledge of the miracle and of i ts Author. 

19 Judge ye; God required them to speak, and the Jews 
forbade their speaking— which should they obey 1 

20 We cannot but speak; God's authority over them was 
absolute, and they would have to obey Him, regardless of 
what men might say. Here we see that, when a confiict 
arises between God and man, we should obey God. 

21 Because of the people; they were restrained from 
punishing Peter and John, lest the people should give 
them trouble. 

23 Their own friends: the company of believers. 



ACTS 



169 



lifted up their voice to God with one ac 
cord, and said, "Lord, TIiou Who didst 
make the heaven and the earth and the 
sea, and all things in them; 25 Who 
through the Holy Spirit by the mouth 
of our father David, Thy servant, didst 
say, 'Why did the gentiles rage, and 
the peoples premeditate empty things? 
26 The kings of the earth did set them- 
selves in array; and the rulers assembled 
together, against the Lord, and against 
His Christ.' 27 For, of a truth, there 
were gathered together in this city, against 
Thy Holy Child' Jesus, Whom Thou 
didst anoint, both Herod and Pontius 
Pilate, with the gentiles and peoples of 
Israel — 28 to do whatsoever Thy hand 
and Thy counsel predetermined to come 
to pass. 29 And now, Lord, look upon 
their threatenings; and grant to Thy serv- 
ants to speak Thy word witii all boldness, 
30 by stretching forth Tliy hand for heal- 
ing; and that signs and wonders may be 
done through the name of Thy Holy 
CMld^ Jesus." 31 And, when they had 



Or, Servant. 



23 The nations rage; Ps. 2:1, 2. 

27 }Vhom Thou didst anoint ; set apart and consecrated 
to be the Savior of men, (John 10:36). 

28 Predetermined to come to pass; Acts 2:23; 3:18. 
30 Stretching forth Thy hand; exerting Thy power. 



CHAPTEE y. 

ANANIAS AND SAPPHIRA. 

1 But a certain man, Ananias by name, 
with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession, 

2 and kept back part of the price, his 
wife also knowing it; and, bringing a cer- 
tain part, he laid it at the apostles' feet. 

3 But Peter said, ' ' Ananias, why did Sa- 
tan fill your heart, that you should lie to 
the Holy Spirit, and keep back part of 
the price of the land? 4 While remain- 
ing, did it not remain your own? and, 
when sold, did it not continue in your 
own authority ? Why did you conceive in 
your heart this thing ? You did not lie to 
men, but to God." 5 And Ananias, hear- 



prayed, the place in which they had as- 
sembled was shaken; and they were all 
filled with the Holy Spirit, and were 
speaking the word of God with boldness. 

32 And the heart and soul of the multi- 
tude of those who believed were one; and 
not even one was saying that any of the 
things belonging to him was his own, but 
they had all things common. 33 And, 
with great power, were the apostles giving 
forth their testimony to the resurrection 
of the Lord Jesus; and great grace also 
was upon them all. 34 For neither was 
any one among them in want; for as many 
as were possessors of lands and houses, 
selling them, were bringing the prices of 
the things sold, 35 and were laying them 
at the feet of the apostles; and distribution 
was being made according as any one had 
need. 

36 And Joseph, who by the apostles was 
surnamed Barnabas (which is interpreted, 
''Son of Consolation"), a Levite, a Cyp- 
rian by birth, owning a field, having sold 
it, brought the money, and laid it at the 
feet of the apostles. 



Had all things common; became as one family, and 
all put their effects together, and lived from the common 
store. 

34 In want; the wants of all alike were supplied. 

36 Cyprus; an island in the north-eastern part of the 
Mediterranean sea, (Acts 13:4; 15:39. 



ing these words, falling down, expired; 
and great fear came upon all who heard it; 

but the young men, rising up, wrapped 
him round; and, bearing him out, buried 
hivi. 

7 Now it came to pass about three hours 
after, that his wife also, not knowing what 
had happened, came in; 8 and Peter 
made answer to her, "Tell me, if ye sold 
the place for so much?" An(l she said, 
"Yes, for so much." 9 But Peter said to 
her, ' ' Why is it that it was agreed by you 
to tempt the Spirit of the Lord? Behold, 
the feet of those who buried your husband 
are at the door, and they will carry you 
out." 10 And she immediately fell at his 
feet, and expired; and, coming in, the 



NOTES ON CHAPTER V. 

1 Kept hack part of the price; wishing to be classed with 
believers, but desiring to hold on to the world secretly. 
How many professed Christians are doing the same now! 

3 Lie to the Holy Spirit; the fraud was practiced against 
the Holy Spirit, who was managing the interests of Jesus 
Christ through the apostles. 

5 Expired; instantly died. 



Wrapped Mm round; in cloths, according to the cus- 
tom of their times. 

Made answer to her; said to her. For so much; the 
amount reported to the apostles by Ananias, as if it were 
the full price of the land. Tes, for so much; Sapphira rati- 
fied the lie of her husband. 

Agreed by you; by you and your husband. Will carry 
you out; to bury you. 



170 



AUlti 



young men found her dead; and, carrying 
her forth, they buried her by her husband. 
11 And great fear came upon the whole 
assembly, and upon all who heard these 
things. 

mRTHER TRnHMPHS. 

12 And through the hands of the apos- 
tles many signs and wonders were wrought 
among the people; and they were all with 
one accord in Solomon's porch. 13 But 
of the rest no one was daring to join him- 
self to them; but the people were magni- 
fying them; (14 and the more were be- 
lievers being added to the Lord, multi- 
tudes both of men and women); 15 so 
that they even carried forth the sick into 
the streets, and laid them on beds and 
couches, in order that, as Peter might pass 
by, his shadow at least might overshadow 
some one of them. 16 And the multi- 
tude of the cities round about were com- 
ing together to Jerusalem, bearing the 
sick, and those harassed by unclean spirits 
— who, indeed, were being healed, every 
one. 

GAMAUEL GIVES ADVICE. 

17 And the high priest, rising up, and all 
those with him, being the sect of the Sad- 
ducees, were filled with jealousy, 18 and 
laid hands on the apostles, and put them 
in a public prison. 19 But an angel of the 
Lord, by night, opened the prison doors; 
and, having led them out, said, 20 "Go, 
and, standing, speak in the temple, to the 
people, all the words of this life." 21 And, 
having heard this^ they entered at dawn, 
into the temple, and were teaching. And 
the high priest, having come, and those 
with him, called together the Sanhedrin, 



and all the senate of the sons of Israel, and 
sent to the prison-house to have them 
brought. 22 But the officers, having come, 
did not find them in the prison, and, re- 
turning, they told, 23 saying, "The 
prison-house we found shut in all safety, 
and the prison-keepers standing at the 
doors; but, having opened, we found no one 
within." 24 Now, when both the captain 
of the temple and the high priests heard 
these words, they were thoroughly per- 
plexed concerning them, what this might 
become.^ 25 But a certain one, coming 
near, told them, "Behold, the men whom 
ye put in the prison are standing in the 
temple, and teaching the people!" 26 
Then the captain, having gone away with 
the officers, brought them, not with vio- 
lence, for they were fearing the people, 
lest they should be stoned; 27 and, hav- 
ing brought them, they set them before 
the Sanhedrin. And the high priest asked 
them, 28 saying, "We strictly charged you 
not to teach in This Name; and, behold, 
ye have filled Jerusalem with your teach- 
ing ! and intend to bring upon us the blood 
ofThisManI" 29 But Peter and the apos- 
tles, answering, said, "It is proper to 
obey God rather than men. 30 The God 
of our fathers raised up Jesus, Whom ye 
slew, having suspended Hlrrh on a tree: 31 
This One God exalted as a Prince and 
Savior, with^ His right hand, to give re- 
pentance to Israel, and remission of sins. 
32 And we are witnesses of these things; 
also the Holy Spirit, Whom God gave to 
those who obey Him." 33 And they, hear- 
ing it^ were being convulsed with rage, 



Ox, whatwoulAcomtofit. 2 Ox. at. 



13 Of the rest; of those outside of the company of be- 
lievers. No one was daring to join himself to them; that is, 
for a time, outsiders were checked, and hesitated to unite 
themselves to them, seeing the fate of Ananias and his 
vrife. Magnified them; spake with great respect for the 
apostles. 

14 And the more; believers greatly increased in num- 
ber, as the Spirit wrought so mightily through the apos- 
tles. 

15 Beds and couches; hedswerelor the rich, and couches 
for the poor. 

17 The sect of the Sadducees; these denied the existence 
of spirits and angels, and were bitterly opposed to the doc- 
trine of the resurrection ; hence they were extremely hos- 
tile to the disciples. 

20 The words of this life; the way of salvation through 
faith in Christ. 

21 The senate of the children of Israel; called elsewhere 
"TheEldersof the Jews," with the Sanhedrin making a 
full congress, as it were. 



24 What this might become; what would result from it. 

28 Bring This Man's Wood upon us; prove us guilty 
of murdering Him. They surely were guilty, whether it 
was so proved on them or not. 

29 It is proper to obey Ood, rather than men; God's com- 
mand was one thing, and the Jews' another; the apostles 
wisely chose to obey God, regardless of all that the Jews 
might do to them. 

30 God exaltedpy Bis rfight hand; or at His right hand, 
where He now intercedes for His people, (Heb. 1:3; Eph. 
1:20; Heb. 10:12; 12:2, etc.). 

31 To give repentance; by sending the Spirit to convince 
of sin, and leading them to see their need of pardon and 
salvation. 

32 We are witnesses of these things ; the resurrection and 
ascension of Christ, and His granting repentance and par- 
don. 

33 ConviiXsed with rage; uncontrollably angry with the 
apostles. 



ACTS 



171 



and were taking counsel to slay them. 34 
But a certain one, having risen up in the 
council — a Pharisee, by name Gamaliel, a 
teacher of the law, honored by all the peo- 
ple — ordered to put the men without a lit- 
tle while. 35 And he said to them, ' ' Men 
of Israel, take heed to yourselves with re- 
gard to these men, what ye are about to 
do; 36 for before these days arose Theu- 
das, alleging that he himself was some- 
body, to whom a number of men, about 
four hundred, joined themselves; who was 
slain, and all, as many as obeyed him, 
were disbanded, and came to nothing. 37 
After this arose Judas, the Galilsean, in 
the days of the enrollment, and drew 
away people after him; he also perished; 
and all, as many as obeyed him, were 



scattered abroad. 38 And now I say to 
you, refrain from these men, and let them 
alone; for, if tliis counsel or this work be 
of men, it will be overthrown; 39 but, if 
it be of God, ye will not be able to over- 
throw them; lest perhaps ye be found 
even fighting against God." 

40 And to him they assented; and call- 
ing the apostles to them, beating tliem^ 
they charged them not to speak in the 
name of Jesus, and let them go, 41 They, 
indeed, therefore, were going from the 
presence of the Sanhedrin, rejoicing, be- 
cause they were accounted worthy to suf- 
fer dishonor in behalf of The Name. 42 
And every day, in the temple, and at their 
homes, they ceased not teacliing and 
preaching Jesus as the Christ. 



34 Teacher of the laic; an interpreter and teacher of the 
law of Moses and the prophets. 

36 Somebody; claiming to be a worthy leader of the 
people. 

37 In the days of the enrollment; a, xegistmtion tor pur- 
poses of taxation. Drew away people after him; on the 
ground that the Jews should not pay taxes to the Roman 
government. 

38 This counsel or this work; the cause which the apos- 



tles had espoused— the preaching of the Gospel of Christ. 

40 To him they assented; they temporarily adopted his 
suggestion, though they again beat the apostles, and for- 
bade their preaching the Gospel. 

41 Because they were accounted worthy; to suffer some- 
what as Jesus had done ; and. like Him, " they despised the 
shame." and rejoiced in hope of the coming glory. If 
Christians were more like Jesus, they would be much more 
persecuted than they are. 



CHAPTER VI. 

SEVEN DEACONS CHOSEN. 

1 Now in these days, when the disciples 
were being multiplied, there arose a mur- 
muring of the Grecian Jews against the He- 
brews, because their widows were being 
overlooked in the daily ministration. 2 
And the twelve, having called the multi- 
tude of the disciples to tlte7n, said, "It is 
not proper that we, leaving the word of 
God, should serve tables; 3 but look ye 
out, brethren, from among yourselves, 
seven well-attested men, full of the Spirit 
and of wisdom, whom we will appoint 
over this business; 4 but we will devote 
ourselves steadfastly to prayer and to the 
ministry of the word." 5 And the saying 
was pleasing to the multitude; and thej 



chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of 
the Holy Spirit, and Philip, and Procho- 
rus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parme- 
nas, and Nicolas, a proselyte of Antioch; 
6 whom they set before the apostles; and, 
having prayed, they laid their hands on 
them. 

7 And the word of God was increasing, 
and the number of the disciples in Jerusa- 
lem was being multiplied exceedingly; a 
great multitude also of the priests were 
becoming obedient to the faith. 

8 And Stephen, full of grace and power, 
was performing great wonders and signs 
among the people. 9 But there arose 
some of those who were of the synagogue 
called the synagogue of the Freedmen, 
and Cyrenians, and Alexandrians, and of 



NOTES ON CHAPTER VI. 
1 Grecians; literally, Helenists, Jews who lived 
Greece, but spake the Greek language. 
12 The twelve; Matthias with the eleven made twelve 
3 Well-attested; men of known integrity, having been 
tested and proved. Full of the Spirit and wisdom; there is 
no Scripture to justify the appointment to the office 
deacon any man who is not full of the Holy Spirit and 
wisdom. Some people may have the Spirit in a measure, 
and yet not be wise. The deacon should be both Spirit- 
filled and wise. The deacons were appointed to look after 
the disbursement of the monies, or to attend to the secu 
lar interests of an assembly. 



5 A proselyte of Antioch; a resident of Antioch, who , 
had adopted the Jewish faith, and afterwards became a 
Christian. 

6 Laid their hands on them; thus formally setting them 
apart to the work of the deaconate. 

7 The word of God was increasing; was being preached, 
and many were accepting it. 

9 Freedmen; persons who had once been slaves, but had 
gained their freedom. Jewish freedmen are here meant. 
They were descendants of Jewish captives who had been 
dispersed in the different localities here named; "but were 
in Jerusalem at this time, probably observing the different 
Jewish feasts. 



172 



ACTS 



those from Cilicia and Asia, disputing 
with Stephen. 10 And they were not able 
to withstand the wisdom and the spirit 
with which he was speaking. 11 Then 
they suborned men, who said, ' ' We have 
heard him speaking blasphemous words 
against Moses and against God." 

12 And they stirred up the people, and 
the elders, and the Scribes; and, coming 
upon him^ they seized him, and brought 



him to the Sanhedrin, 13 and set up 
false witnesses, who said, "This man does 
not cease speaking words against this holy 
place, and the law; 14 for we have heard 
him say, that This Jesus, the Nazarene, 
will overthrow this place, and will change 
the customs which Moses delivered to us." 
15 And all those who were sitting in the 
Sanhedrin, gazing intently at him, saw 
liis face as it were an angel's face. 



10 Not able; the Holy Spirit made him superior to 
them in -wisdom, and thej' -were unable to answer his argu- 
ments, (Matt. 10:19,20; Luke 21:15). 

11 Buborned men; instigated, or influenced, them to tes- 
tify falsely, When -wicked men wish to prove a point, they 
are ready to hire witnesses, and pay them a high price. 



15 An angel's face; and yet these hardened people did 
not relent. Their prejudice and anger were such as to 
make them dead to all the claims o( God; dead, too, to all 
displays of divine wisdom, courage, and glory, as witnessed 
in Stephen. The Devil hates holiness; and is ready, 
where he can do so. to kill holy people. 



. CHAPTEE VII. 
Stephen's defense and martyb!do]m. 

1 And the high priest said, "Are these 
things so?" 2 But he said, "Brethren 
and fathers, the God of glory appeared t© 
our father Abraham, while he was in Mes- 
opotamia, before he dwelt in Haran, 3 
and said to him, 'Go forth from your 
country, and from your kindred, and come 
into the land which I will show you.' 4 
Then, having come forth out of the land 
of the Chaldaeans, he dwelt in Haran; and, 
from thence, after his father died, He re- 
moved him into this land, in which ye now 
dwell; 6 and He gave him no inheritance 
in it, not even a foot-breadth;^ and He 
promised to give it to him for a possession, 
and to his seed after him, when he had no 
child. 6 And God spake thus; that his 
seed would be a sojourner in a foreign 
land; and they would bring it into servi- 
tude, and ill-use it four hundred years. 7 
'And the nation to which they shall be in 
bondage will I .iudge, ' said God; ' and, after 
these things, shall they come forth, and 
they shall serve Me in this place.' 8 And 
He gave him a covenant of circumcision ; 
and so he begat Isaac, and circumcised 
him on the eighth day; and Isaac, Jacob; 



and Jacob, the twelve patriarchs. 9 And 
the patriarchs, moved with jealousy, sold 
Joseph into Egypt. And God was with 
him, 10 and delivered him out of all his 
tribulations, and gave him favor and wis- 
dom before Pharaoh, king of Egypt; and 
he appointed him governor over Egypt 
and all his house. 

11 ' ' Now there came a famine upon the 
whole of Egypt and Canaan, and great trib- 
ulation ; and our fathers were not finding sus- 
tenance. 12 But Jacob, having heard that 
there was grain in Egypt, sent out our fath- 
ers first; 13 and, at the second time, Joseph 
was made known to his brothers; and Jo- 
seph's race became known to Pharaoh. 14 
And Joseph, sending, called for Jacob his 
father, and all his kindred, seventy-five 
souls. 15 And Jacob went down into 
Egypt, and died, he and our fathers; 16 
and they were removed to Shechem, and 
were laid in the tomb that Abraham 
bought for a sum of money ^ from the sons 
of Emmor, in Shechem. 17 But, as the 
time of the promise which God promised 
to Abraham was drawing nigh, the people 
increased and were multiplied in Egypt, 
18 until there arose another king in Egypt, 
who knew not Joseph. 19 The same, 
dealing craftily with our race, ill-treated 



Gr. Step for his foot. 



2 Gr. Silver. 



NOTES ON CHAPTER VII. 

1 Are these things so; are they as his accusers charge ? 

2 Mesopotamia; the word means between two rivers; it 
designates the country lying between the rivers, Tigris 
and Euphrates. Terah. the father of Abraham, lived in 
■'TTr of the Chaldees." which is in Mesopotamia. Baran; 
Gen. 11:31. This was also in Mesopotamia. 

5 Promised that He would givehim; Gen. 12:7; 13:14-18, 

6 Sojourned in a strange land; in Egypt, (Gen. 15:13-16). 



14 Seventy-five souls; meaning that his kindred were 
included in seventy-flve souls. In Gen. 46:27, the num- 
ber is stated to be sixty-six; including Joseph's family, it 
is stated that there were seventy. The five grandsons of 
Joseph. (IChron. 7:14-23) are supposed to make the num- 
ber "seventy-flve," 

16 That Abraham bought; Gen. 23:4-20. 

17 The time of the promise; the time for its fulfillment, 
(Gen. 12:7; 15:14-16; 22:17). Multiplied in Egypt; Ex. 1:7-9. 



ACTS 



173 



our fathers, in causing their children to he 
cast out, that tliey might not be preserved 
alive. 20 In which season Moses was 
born, and was beautiful to God; who was 
nourished three months in the house of 
Ms father; 21 but, when he was cast out, 
the daughter of Pharaoh took him up, and 
nourished him as her own son. _ 22 And 
Moses was instructed in all the wisdom of 
the Egyptians, and was mighty in his 
words and works. 23 But, when his for- 
tieth year was being completed, it came 
into his heart to visit his brethren, the 
sons of Israel. 21 And, seeing a cer- 
tain one wrongly treated, he defended 
him^ and avenged him that was oppressed, 
having smitten the Egyptian. 25 And he 
was supposing that his brethren under- 
stood that God, through his hand, would 
give them deliverance;^ but they under- 
stood not. 26 On the following day, also, 
he appeared to them wJdle they were 
fighting, and he was urging them to peace, 
saying, 'Men, ye are brethren; why do ye 
wrong one another ? ' 27 But he who was 
wronging Jds neighbor thrust him away, 
saying, ' Who appointed you a ruler and a 
judge over us ? Do you wish to kill me, as 
you killed the Egyptian yesterday?' 29 
And Moses fled at this saying, and became 
a sojourner in the land of Midian, where 
he begat two sons. 30 And, forty years 
having been fulfilled, there appeared to 
him, in the wilderness of mount Sinai, an 
angel in a flame of fire in a bush. 31 And 
Moses, seeing it^ wondered at the sight; 
and, as he drew near to observe it^ there 
came a voice of the Lord, 32 'I am the God 
of your fathers, the God of Abraham, and 
of Isaac, and of Jacob.' And Moses, be- 
coming terrified, was not daring to examine 
it. 33 And the Lord said to him, 'Loose 
the sandals from your feet; for the place 
on which you have been standing is holy 
ground. 31 Surely,* I saw the affliction 
of My people in Egypt, and heard their 
groaning; and I came down to rescue them. 
And now come, I will send you into Egypt.' 
35 This Moses whom they denied, saying, 



Gr. Salvation, i Gr. Seeing. 



'Who appointed you a ruler and a judge?' 
him hath God sent as both ruler and re- 
deemer, with the hand of the angel that 
appeared to him in the bush. 36 Tliis man 
led them out, having wrought wonders and 
signs in Egypt, and in the Ked sea, and in 
the wilderness forty years. 37 This is the 
Moses who said to the sons of Israel, 'A 
Prophet will God raise up for you of your 
brethren, as He did me.' 38 This is he 
who was in the assembly in the wilderness 
with the angel who spake to him on mount 
Sinai, and with our fathers; who received 
living oracles to give to us; 39 to whom 
our fathers wished not to become obedient, 
but thrust him away, and in their hearts 
turned back again to Egypt; 40 saying to 
Aaron, ' Make us gods who shall go before 
us; for as for this Moses who brought us 
forth out of the land of Egypt, we know not 
what happened to him.' 41 And they made 
a calf in those days, and offered a sacrifice 
to the idol, and were rejoicing in the 
works of their hands. 42 But God turned, 
and gave them up to worship the host of 
heaven; as it has been written in a book 
of the prophets, ' Did ye offer to Me slain 
beasts and sacrifices, forty years in the 
wilderness, O house of Israel? 43 And ye 
took up the tent of Moloch, and the star 
of the god Rephan — the figures which ye 
made to worship them; and I will remove 
you beyond Babylon.' 

44 "Our fathers had the tabernacle of 
the testimony in the wilderness, even as 
He directed. Who spake to Moses, that he 
should make it according to the model 
which he had seen; 45 which also our 
fathers, having received in succession, 
brought in with Joshua, in taking posses- 
sion of the nations which God thrust out 
before the face of our fathers, until the days 
of David; 46 who found favor in the sight 
of God, and asked that he might find 'A 
habitation for the God of Jacob.' 47 But 
Solomon built a house for Him. 48 Yet 
the Most High dwelleth not in houses made 
with hands; as says the prophet, 49 
' Heaven is My throne; and the earth is 
the footstool of My feet: what manner of 



30 An Angel of the Lord; Jehovah, (Ex. 33:20. 21). 

38 This is he; Moses, (Ex, 19:3-25). 

42 Gave them up; abandoned them to their own lusts, 
(Ps. 81:12). Has been written; Amos 5:25-27. Did ye offer 
to Me; that is, to Me alone; implying that they had min- 
gled their idolatrous worship with His sacrifices. 



43 Moloch— Bephan; idol gods. 

44 The tabernacle of the testimony; the tent used for 
worship before the building of theltemple, (Ex. 25-27 chs.), 

48 The Most High dwelleth not in houses ; this statement 
seemed like blasphemy to the ordinary Jew, who thought 
that all public worship should be confined to that place. 



174 



ACTS 



house -will ye build me?' saith the Lord, 
' Or what is the place of My rest ? 50 Did 
not My hand inake all these things? ' 

61 " Ye stiffnecked, and uncircumcised 
in heart and ears ! ye do alwaj^s resist the 
Holy Spirit; as your fathers did, so do ye. 

52 Which of the prophets did your fathers 
not persecute ? And they killed those who 
declared beforehand concerning the coming 
of the Righteous One — of Whom just now 
ye became the betrayers and murderers; 

53 who, indeed, received the law as the 
ministrations of angels, and did not keep 
iV 

54 Now, while hearing these things, they 
were being cut to their hearts, and were 
gnashing their teeth over" him. 55 But 



5 Or, agaiiist. 



he, being full of the Holy Spirit, looking 
intently into Heaven, saw the glory of God, 
and Jesus standing on the right hand of 
Grod; 56 and he said, "Behold I see 
Heaven opened, and the Son of Man stand- 
ing on the right hand of God !" 67 But, 
crying out with a loud voice, they closed 
their ears, and rushed upon him with one 
accord; 58 and, having thrust him forth 
outside of the city^ they kept stoning him\ 
And the witnesses laid their garments at 
the feet of a young man called Saul. 69 
And they were stoning Stephen, calling 
and saying, "Lord Jesus, receive my 
spirit ! " 60 And, kneeling down, he cried 
with a loud voice, "Lord, lay not this sin 
to them ! " And, having said this, he fell 
asleep. 



51 Stiff-necked; proud, stubborn, self-willed. Always re- 
sist the Holy Spirit; by opposing His teachings. So do ye; 
Stephen comes to apply his speech to the guilty ones be- 
fore him. As your fathers treated Moses, so did ye treat 
that Prophet of Whom Moses spake. 

53 TheBighteous One; Jesus Christ, (Acts 3:14). 

53 By the ministrations of angels; Gal. 3:19; Heb. 2:2. 

54 Cut to the heart; exceedingly enraged. 

55 Jesus standing on the right hand of God; elsewhere 
Jesus is represented as sitting, biit here He is standing, to 
indicate, probably. His deep interest in the sufferings of 
His first martyr, 

57 Closed their ears; unwilling to hear anything more 
from him, 

58 The witnesses laid their gaiTnents; the "suborned" 
■witnesses, (ch. 6:13). According to law, (Lev. 24:14-16; 



Deut. 17:7), the witnesses were to cast the first stones. 
Hence, they took off their outer garments, and laid them, 
at the feet of Saul, who afterwards suffered so much for 
his devotion to Christ. 

59 Lord Jesus, receive my spirit; this prayer was ad- 
dressed to Jesus, Who was near enough to address per- 
sonally, 

60 Lay not this sin to them; the dying martyr, like his 
Master, prays for his murderers, (Luke 23:34). Fell asleep; 
quickly expired; and his happy spirit was received by 
Jesus. The reference to sleep relates merely to the body, 
not to his spirit. 

N. ^.— The Holy Spirit wrought wonderfully in this, but 
recently, filled disciple; making Christ real and present to 
him, and giving him a large measure of the spirit and na- 
ture of his Lord, 



CHAPTER VIII. 

SATJL PERSECUTING CHEISTIANS. 

1 And Saul was assenting^ to his death, 
And there arose on that day a great per- 
secution against the assembly which was 
in Jerusalem; and they were all scattered 
abroad throughout the countries of Judsea 
and Samaria, except the apostles. 2 And 
devout men carried Stephen to his burial, 
and made great lamentation over him. 3 
But Saul was laying waste the assembly, 
entering house after house; and, dragging 
men and women, was committing them to 
prison. 

PHTLIP PREACHES IN SAMARIA. 

4 Those, therefore, who were dispersed. 



1 Or, was delighted loith. 

NOTES ON CHAPTER VIIL 

1 Paul was assenting; sanctioned, and was delighted 
with, the death of Stephen. 

2 Was laying wcuste the assembly; he was violently ar 
resting the disciples, who were members of the assembly 
and thrusting them into prison. 



went about, proclaiming the good tidings 
of the word. 5 And Philip, having come 
down to the city of Samaria, preached to 
them the Christ. 6 And the multitudes, 
with one accord, were giving heed to the 
things spoken by Philip, when they heard 
and saw the things which he was doing. 
7 For unclean spirits came forth from 
many of those possessing them, crying 
with a loud voice; and many paralyzed 
and lame persons were healed; 8 and 
there was much joy in that city. 

9 But a certain man, Simon by name, 
was in the city before, using sorcery,, 
and astonishing the nation of Samaria, 
affirming himself to be some great one; 
10 to whom all were giving heed, from 
small to great, saying, "This man is the 

4 The word: the Gospel of Christ. 

5 Philip; one of the seven deacons, (ch. 6:5). 

9 Using sorcery; practicing deceptive arts, pretending 
to foretell events. Astonishing; by his tricks and display 
of demoniacal power. He was probably a spirit-medium, 
orahypnotist. He was, likely, a devotee and agent of "the 



ACTS 



175 



power of God, which is called Great." 
11 And they were giving heed to him, 
because of his having for a long time 
amazed them with his sorceries. 12 But, 
when they believed Philip proclaiming 
the glad tidings concerning the Kingdom 
of God and tJie name of Jesus Christ, 
they were being immersed, both men and 
women. 13 And Simon also himself be- 
lieved; and, having been immersed, he 
was adhering closely to Philip; and, be- 
holding the signs and great miracles being 
done, he was amazed. 

14 Now the apostles in Jerusalem, hear- 
ing that Samaria had received the word of 
God, sent to them Peter and John; 15 
who, indeed, having come down, prayed 
for them, that they might receive the 
Holy Spirit; 16 for as yet He had fallen 
upon no one of them, but they had only 
been immersed in the name of the Lord 
Jesus. 17 Then they laid their hands on 
them, and they received the Holy Spirit. 

18 Now Simon, seeing that^ through the 
laying on of the apostles' hands the Holy 
Spirit was given, offered them money, 

19 saying, "Give me also this author- 
ity, that on whomsoever I lay hands, 
he may receive the Holy Spirit." 20 But 
Peter said to him, "Your money perish 
with you, because you thought to acquire 
the gift of God with money! 21 You have 
no part nor lot in this matter;^ for your 



2 Or, 



rd. 



heart is not right before God. 22 Repent, 
therefore, of this your wickedness, and 
entreat the Lord, if, perhaps, the thought 
of your heart may be forgiven you; 23 
for I see that you are in the gall of bitter- 
ness, and in the bond of iniquity." 24 And 
Simon answered and said, "Pray ye to 
the Lord in my behalf, that none of the 
things which ye have spoken may come 
upon me." 25 They, therefore, having 
fully testified and spoken the word of the 
Lord, were returning to Jerusalem, and 
preaching the Gospel to many villages of 
the Samaritans. 

CONVERSION OF THE ETHIOPIAN EUNUCH. 

26 But an an^el of the Lord spake to 
Philip, saying, ' Arise, and go toward the 
south, on the way that leads down from 
Jerusalem to Gaza:" this is a wilder- 
ness. 27 And, having arisen, he went on; 
and, behold, a man of Ethiopia, a eunuch, 
a state-officer of Candace, queen of the 
Ethiopians, who was over all her treasure, 
who had come to Jerusalem to worship; 
38 he was also returning, and, sitting on 
his chariot, was reading the prophet Isaiah. 

29 And the Spirit said to Philip, "Go 
near, and join yourself to this chariot." 

30 And Philip, having run near, heard 
him reading Isaiah the prophet, and said, 
"Do you, then, understand what you are 
reading?" 31 Buthesaid, "How,infact, 
were I able, unless some one should guide 
me?" And he besought Philip, having 



Black Art "— which is Satan's store of devices for 
ing and ruining people. 

10 The power of God. which is called Gr^at; Simon was 
endowed with supernatural power and intelligence; but 
it was all of Satan. Through this same diabolical power, 
Satan is now deceiving many people, capturing them in 
various ways, as through Theosophy, Spiritism, Christian 
Science, etc, 

13 Simon also himself believed; that is, he had an intel- 
lectual belief, such as demons have, (James 2:19). The 
mighty power of God, displayed through Philip, con- 
vinced him that God was with him; but there is no proof 
that he really repented of his sins, or believed savingly in 
Christ. 

15 That they might receive the Holy Spirit; this wonder- 
ful Gift is the rightful heritage of all true believers; and 
it is highly proper now that Spirit-filled ministers and 
members should instruct new converts in regard to this 
great privilege, and pray that they may receive H 

19 Giveme this power; Simon desired to have the power 
to impart to others the Holy Spirit, supposing, likely, that 
he could exalt and enrich himself thereby. 

20 Tour money perish with you; expressive of Peter's 
strong abhorrence of Simon's crime, and of his certain de 
struction, 

21 Ton have no part nor lot in this matter; no share ii 



the blessings of the Gospel, and in the disposal of the di- 
vine power, 

23 The gall of bitterness . . •. bond of iniguity; in a most 
bitter and servile bondage to sin. 

24 Pray . . . that none of the things; Simon feared the 
mighty power of God, which he had seen displayed 
through Philip, and John and Peter, and wished to avoid 
it; but there is no proof that he had any change of heart, 
or that he loved God. Peter is not reported to have even 
prayed for him. 

25 Proclaiming the Gospel to many villages; they preached 
the Gospel to the people in these villages, and thus evan- 
gelized them. It does not imply that the apostles did any 
thing more than preach the Gospel to them. This gave 
them a chance for salvation. 

26 Gaza; a city about sixty miles south-west of Jerusa- 
lem, in the direction of Egypt. This is a wilderness; refer- 
ing probably to the wilderness through which Philip trav- 
eled in reaching Gaza. 

27 EUnopia; a country in Africa, south of Egypt. To 
worship; this indicates that he was either a Jew or, a pros- 
elyte to the Jewish religion. 

29 The Spirit said to Philip; the Holy Spirit guides 
those in whom He dwells unhindered; teaching them, as 
hero, what to do, where to go. and giving them words to 
speak. 



176 



ACTS 



come up, to sit with him. 32 Now the 
passage of the Scripture which he was 
reading was this: "He was led as a sheep 
to the slaughter; and, as a lamb dumb be- 
fore its shearer, so He openeth not His 
mouth. 33 In His humiliation. His judg- 
ment was taken away. His generation who 
shall declare? because His life is being 
taken away from the earth." 34 And the 
eunuch, answering Philip, said, "I pray 
you, of whom does the prophet say this, 
of himself, or of some one else? " 35 And 
Philip, opening his mouth, and, beginning 
from this Scripture, proclaimed to him 
the good news of Jesus. 36 And, as they 
were journeying along the way, they came 
to a certain water; and the eunuch saj^s, 



"Behold, here is water; what hinders me 
from being immersed?' [37 And Philip 
said, ' ' If you believe with all your heart, 
you may." And he answered and said, 
"I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of 
God."]* 38 And he commanded the char- 
iot to stand still; and they both went down 
into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; 
and he immersed him. 39 And, when 
they came up out of the water, the Spirit 
of the Lord caught away Philip, and the 
eunuch saw him no more; for he was go- 
ing on his way rejoicing. 40 And Philip 
was found at Azotus; and, passing through, 
he was publishing the good news to all the 
cities, till he came to Csesarea. 



•■Some Mss. insert v, 37; but the best omit it. 



did 



The Scripture which he read; Isa. 53:7. 8. 39 The Spirit . . . caught away Philip; this must have 

In His humiliation His judgment was taJien away; He been a great surprise to the eunuch. It shows, however, 
lot have a fair trial, and wascondep^medunjustly; still the great power of God. Went on his way rejoicing; refer- 



Jesus suffered according to the Father's and His Own ap- 
pointment. 

35 Proclaim the good news of Jesus; showing that Jesus 
was the Messiah, of Whom the prophet was speaking; and 
preaching salvation through faith in Him. 



ring to Philip. 

40 Azotus; called, in the Old Testament, Ashdod; a city 
about thirty miles north of Gaza. (I Sam. 5:1). CcBsarea; 
a city on the Mediterranean sea about sixty miles north- 
west of Jerusalem. 



CHAPTER IX. 



SAUL, CONVERTED. 



1 And Saul, yet breathing threatening 
and slaughter against the disciples of the 
Lord, going to the high priest, 2 asked 
from him letters to Damascus to the syn- 
agogues, that, if he found any who were 
of this Way, whether men or women, 
he might bring them bound to Jerusa- 
lem. 3 And, as he was journeying, it 
came to pass, that he was drawing nigh 
to Damascus; and suddenly there flashed 
around him a light from Heaven; 4 
and, having fallen upon the ground, he 
heard a voice saying to him, "Saul, Saul, 
why are you persecuting Me?" 5 And 
he said, ''Who art Thou, Lord?" And 
He said, "I am Jesus Whom you are 
persecuting. 6 But rise, and go into the 
city, and it shall be told you what you 



must do." 7 And the men who were 
journeying with him were standing speech- 
less; hearing, indeed, the voice, but be- 
holding no one. 8 And Saul arose from 
the earth; and, his eyes being opened, he 
beheld nothing; but, taking him by the 
hand, they led him into Damascus. 9 And 
he was three days without seeing; and he 
neither ate, nor drank. 

10 And there was a certain disciple in 
Damascus, Ananias by name; and the Lord 
said to him in a vision, "Ananias?" And 
he said, "Behold, I am here, Lord.^" 11 
And the Lord said to him, ' 'Go to the street 
that is called Straight, and inquire in the 
house of Judas for one named Saul of Tar- 
sus; for, behold, he is praying; 12 and 
in a vision he saw a man, Ananias by name, 
coming in, and laying his hands on him, 
that he might receive sight." 13 And 
Ananias answered, "Lord, I heard from 



NOTES ON CHAPTER IX. 

1 ffigh priest; who was president of the Jewish Sanhe- 
drin, and signed letters with their authority. 

2 Damascus; a city of Syria, about a hundred miles 
north-east of Jerusalem. To the synagogues; the rulers of 
the synagogues in Damascus giving their co-operation in 
the matter. Any of this Way; any believers in Jesus. 
Might hring them bound to Jerusalem; to be tried by the 
Sanhedrin, and punished as this council might decide. 

5 Lord; referring to the Lord Jesus Christ. 

7 Stood speechless, hearing a voice, but seeing no out; 



comparing this with ch. 22:9, we learn that Paul's travel- 
ing companions saw a light and heard a voice; but they 
understood not what they heard, nor did they see Jesus 
Christ. 

8 He beheld nothing; being blinded by the glory of the 
light. 

9 Three days; or one whole day and two pieces. 

11 Tarsus; the capital of Cilioia, a province of Asia 
Minor. 

12 In a vision; designed to prepare Saul for his subse- 
quent meeting with Ananias. 



ACTS 



177 



many concerning this man, how many 
evils he did to Thy saints in Jerusalem; 
14 and here he has authority from the high 
priests to bind all those calling on Thy 
name." 15 But the Lord said to him, 
"■ Go your way; because this man is to Me 
a chosen vessel to bear My name before 
nations, and kings, and the sons of Israel; 
16 for I will show him how many things 
he must suffer for My name's sake. 17 
And Ananias went away, and entered into 
the house; and, laying his hands on him, 
said, "Brother Saul, the Lord hath sent 
me — even Jesus, Who appeared to you in 
the way in which you were coming, that 
you may receive sight, and be filled with 
the Holy Spirit." 18 And straightway 
there fell from his eyes as it were scales, 
and he received sight; and, arising, he 
was immersed; and, having taken food, 
he was strengthened. 

19 And he was with the disciples in Da- 
mascus some days; 20 and straightway 
in the synagogues he was preaching Jesus, 
that He is the Son of God. 21 And all 
who heard were astonished, and said, ' ' Is 
not this he who destroyed, in Jerusalem, 
those calling upon this name, and had 
come here for this purpose, that he might 
bring them bound to the high priests?" 
22 But Saul was being more empowered, 
and was confounding the Jews who were 
dwelling in Damascus; proving that this 
is the Christ. 

23 And, when many days were com- 
pleted, the Jews took counsel together to 
kill him; 24 but their plot became known 
to Saul. And they were watching the 
gates also, both day and night, that they 
might kill him; 25 but the disciples, tak- 



ing him by night, let him down through 
the wall, lowering him in a basket. 

26 Now, having come to Jerusalem, he 
was trying to join himself to the disciples; 
and they were all afraid of him, not be- 
lieving that he was a disciple. 27 But 
Barnabas, taking him, brought him to the 
apostles, and narrated to them how he saw 
the Lord in the way, and that He spake to 
him; and how, in Damascus, he spake 
boldly in the name of Jesus. 28 And he 
was with them, going in and going out at 
Jerusalem, 29 preaching boldly in the 
name of the Lord; and he was speaking 
and disputing with the Helenists;^ but 
they were attempting to kill him; 30 but 
the brethren, learning it, brought him 
down to Csesarea, and sent him forth to 
Tarsus. 

31 The assembly, indeed, therefore, 
throughout the whole of Judaea and Gali- 
lee and Samaria, was having peace, being 
built up; and, walking in the fear of the 
Lord, and in the consolation of the Holy 
Spirit, was being multiplied. 

^NEAS HEALED AT LTDDA. 

32 And it came to pass that Peter, go- 
ing through all parts, came down also to 
the saints who were dwelling at Lydda. 

And he found there a certain man, 
^neas by name, for eight years lying 
prostrate on a couch, who was paralyzed. 
34 And Peter said to him, "^neas, Jesus 
Christ healeth you; arise, and make your 
bed." And straightway he arose. 35 
And all who were dwelling in Lydda and 
in Sharon saw him; and they turned to the 
Lord. 



Or, Grecian Jews. 



14 Calling on Thy name; Christians were distinguished 
in the apostolic age by their calling- on His name, (I Cor. 
1:2; II Tim. 2:32), 

15 A chosen vessel to bear My name; Jesus chose Saul to 
preach His Gospel to Jews and gentiles, (Gal, 1:15-17). 

16 How many things he must suffer; II Cor, 11:23-28. 

17 Who appeared to you in the way; Ananias was in- 
structed as to the fact that Saul saw Jesus, and he uses 
this to soothe and encourage Saul. And be filled with the 
Holy Spirit; thus, on the third day, after he saw Jesus, 
and began to follow Him, he was filled with the Holy 
Spirit; thus proving that being filled with the Holy Spirit 
is not identical with regeneration by the Holy Spirit, but 
must be subsequent to it in order of time. 

go He is the Son of God; the Messiah foretold by the 
prophets. 

23 Tt'hen many days were completed; it appears, from 
Gal. 1:15-18. that Saul spent a part of this time in Arabia, 
a country south-east of Judaea, 



24 To kill him; the murderers of Jesus had little scrap- 
ple, we may suppose, in killing all His prominent follow- 
ers. 

27 Barnabas: chap. 4:36. 

29 Helenists; Jews and proselytes who spake the Greek 
language. • 

30 Cassarea; ch. 8:40. Ta^-sas; Saul's native city, (v. 11). 

31 Judma, and Galilee, and Samaria; these are the three 
divisions into which Palestine was divided. 

32 Lydda; a town in Judaea a few miles south-east of 
Joppa. 

34 Jesus Christ healeth you; here, as elsewhere. Peter 
was particular to let it be known that, not he, but Christ, 
was the Healer. There is no more Scripture to support the 
assumption that Healing was meant for the early age of 
Christianity, than there is to support the view that' salva- 
tion was to be restricted to the same period, 

35 Sharon; a fertile region between Joppa and mount 
Carmel. 



178 



ACTS 



DORCAS RAISED FROM THE DEAD AT JOPPA. 

36 Now there was in Joppa a certain 
disciple, Tabitha by name, (which being 
translated means Dorcas): this woman was 
full of good works and alms which she 
was accustomed to do. 37 And it came 
to pass in those days that she, having be- 
come sick, died; and, having washed her^ 
they laid her in an upper chamber. 38 
And, Lydda being near to Joppa, the dis- 
ciples, hearing that Peter was there, sent 
to him two men, entreating A^'m, "Delay 
not to come to us!" 39 And Peter, hav- 
ing arisen, went with them; whom, hav- 
ing come, they led up into the upper 



chamber; and there stood by him all the 
widows, weeping and showing coats and 
garments which Dorcas made while she 
was with them. 40 But Peter, having 
put them all forth, and bowing his knees, 
)rayed; and, turning to the body, he said, 
'Tabitha, arise!" And she opened her 
eyes; and, seeing Peter, she sat up. 41 
And, having given her his hand, he raised 
her up; and, calling the saints and widows, 
he presented her alive. 42 And it became 
known throughout all Joppa; and many 
believed on the Lord. 43 And it came to 
pass that he abode many days in Joppa 
with one Simon a tanner. 



36 Joppa; a town on the Mediterranean about forty-five 
miles north-east of Jerusalem. Tabitha; a Syriao word 
meaning the same as the Greek name Dorcas; hoth words 
being originally applied to the gazelle, a very beautiful an- 
imal. 

40 Having put them all foHh without; it is generally 
best, when some great miracle of healing is expected to 



occur, to have none but real believers present. This mir- 
acle of raising the dead was wrought by Jesus Christ 
through the visible agency of Peter. 

42 Believed on the Lord; on the Lord Jesus Christ, 
through Whose power Dorcas had been raised from the 
dead. The display of God's power in the healing of people 
would be likely to bef olio wed by many converts to the faith. 



CHAPTER X. 

CORNEMU8 AND HIS HOUSEHOLD. 

1 Now a certain man in Csesarea, Cor- 
nelius by name, a centurion of a band,* 
called the Italian iand — 2 devout, and 
fearing God with all his house, giving^ 
many alms to the people, and praying to 
God continually — 3 saw in a vision mani- 
festly, about the ninth hour of the day, an 
angel of God coming in to him, and say- 
ing to him, "'Cornelius!" 4 And he, 
looking intently on him, and becoming 
much afraid, said, "What is it, lord?" 
And he said to him, "Your prayers and 
alms went up for a memorial before God. 
5 And now send men to Joppa, and send 
for one Simon, who is surnamed Peter; 6 
the same is guest with one Simon a tan- 
ner, whose house is by the sea." 7 And, 



Or, cohort, 2 Gr. Boino. 



when the angel who was talking to him de- 
parted, having caHed two of his household 
servants and a devout soldier of those at- 
tending him; 8 and, having recounted 
all things to them, he sent them to Joppa. 
9 Now, on the morrow, as they were 
journeying, and coming near to the city, 
Peter went up on the house-top to pray, 
about the sixth hour. 10 And he became 
very hungry, and wished to eat; and, 
while they were making ready, there came 
upon him a trance; 11 and he beholds 
the heaven opened, and a certain vessel 
descending, as a great sheet, let down by 
four corners upon the earth; 12 in which 
were all the four-footed beasts, and creep- 
ing things of the earth, and birds of the 
heaven. 13 And there came a voice to 
him, "Arising, Peter, kill and eat." 14 
But Peter said, "By no means. Lord! be- 
cause never at any time did I eat anj'thing 



NOTES ON CHAPTER X. 
1 Centurion; a captain of a hundred men. A devout 
man; a sincere believer in the Jewish faith, and one who 
pleased God, He, probably, believed in the Jewish Mes- 
siah, and through Him found acceptance with the Father; 
but now, that the Messiah had already come in the person 
of Jesus, it was proper that he should know this fact, and 
accept Him as the Messiah already come. Italian band; 
a company of soldiers from Italy. 

3 Mnth hour; three o'clock in the afternoon— one of 
the hours of prayer. 

4 For a memorial before God; God recognized the alms 
and prayers of Cornelius, and these are made the occasion 
of the signal grace now to be bestowed, (I John 3:22). 



5 Joppa; ch. 9:36. 

9 House-top; the tops of the houses were flat, and the 
pious often resorted thither for prayer. Sixth hour; twelve 
o'clock, (Ps. 55:17; Dan. 6:10). 

10 Trance; a state of mind in which he became insensi- 
ble to the objects around him, and was absorbed in the 
vision presented to him. 

12 All . . . beasts and creeping things; specimens of all 
kinds. 

13 Kill, and eat; Peter understood that he was required 
to eat things clean and unclean. 

14. • Common or unclean; animals forbidden to be eaten 
in the law of Moses, (Lev. 11:4; 20:25; Deut. 14:3,7). Has 
this law been abrogated for Christians yet ? 



ACTS 



179 



common or unclean." 15 And a^ voice 
came to him again, a second time, "What 
God cleansed, count not common." 16 
Now this happened three times, and 
straightway the vessel was taken up into 
heaven. 

17 Now, as Peter was much perplexed 
in himself as to what the vision which he 
saw might mean, behold, the men who 
were sent by Cornelius, having made in- 
quiry for Simon's house, stood at the gate; 
18 and, caUing, were inquiring whether 
Simon who was surnamed Peter, was lodg- 
ing there. 19 And, while Peter was ear- 
nestly considering the vision, the Spirit 
said to him, "Behold, three men are seek- 
ing you. 20 But, arising, go down, and 
journey with them, nothing doubting; be- 
cause I have sent them." 21 And Peter, 
going down to the men, said, "Behold, 1 
am he whom ye are seeking; what is the 
cause for which ye are present? " 22 And 
they said, "Cornelius, a centurion, a right- 
eous man, and one fearing God, well re- 
ported of also by all the nation of the 
Jews, was divinely warned by a holy angel 
to send for you to his house, and to hear 
words from you." 23 Having called them 
in, therefore, he lodged tliem. And, on 
the morrow, arising, he went with them; 
and some of the brethren from Joppa went 
with him. 21 And on the following day 
they entered into Caesarea. And Corne- 
lius was expecting them, having called to- 
gether his kinsmen and" near friends. 26 
And when it came to pass that Peter 
entered, Cornelius, meeting him, and fall- 
ing at his feet, worshipped }iun. 26 But 
Peter raised him up, saying, ' ' Stand up ! 
I myself also am a man." 27 And, loliile 



15 ViJMt God cleansed; or declared no longer unclean. 
Under this vision, the Lord meant, not to abrogate the 
distinction between animals fit and unfit for food, but to 
annul the distinction between Jews and gentiles. God was 
schooling Peter for the work just before him, in carrying 
the Gospel to Cornelius. 

20 Nothing doubting; not doubting the propriety of go- 
ing to Cornelius, though he was an uncircumcised gentile. 

22 Hear words from you; words such as God would give 
him to speak, and such as Cornelius needed 

25 Worshipped him; prostrated himself before him. in 
as attitude of worship. 

ae Am also a man; and, therefore, unfit to be worship- 
ped, 

36 Unlawful for a Jew; according to the law and ac- 
cording, especially, to Jewish traditions. 

29 Without gainsaying; without objection, or hesitation. 

34 JSfot a respecter of persons; but accepts and blesses 
the pious, regardless of nationality. 



talking with him, he entered, and finds 
many wJto had come together; 28 and he 
says to them, "Ye know that it is unlaw- 
ful for a Jew to join himself with, or come 
to, one of another race; and yet God showed 
me that I should call no man common or 
unclean. 29 Wherefore, also, having been 
sent for, I came without gainsaying. I 
ask, therefore, with what intent ye sent 
forme." 30 And CorneUus said, "Four 
days ago, until this hour, I was praying 
during the ninth hour in my house; and, 
behold, a man stood before me in bright 
apparel, 31 and says, 'Cornelius, your 
prayer was heard, and your alms were re- 
membered before God. 32 Send, there- 
fore, to Joppa, and call for Simon, who is 
surnamed Peter; the same is lodging in the 
house of Simon, a tanner, by the sea.' 33 
At once, therefore, I sent to you; and you 
did well, in coming.^ Now, therefore, we 
are all present before God, to hear all the 
things that have been commanded you by 
the Lord." 

31 And Peter, opening his mouth, said, 
" Of a truth, I perceive that God is not a 
respecter of persons; 35 but, in every na- 
tion, he who fears Him, and works right- 
eousness, is acceptable to Him. 36 He 
sent* the word to the sons of Israel, pro- 
claiming the glad tidings of peace through 
Jesus Christ, (He is Lord of all): 37 Ye 
know the word that came throughout all 
Judaea, after the immersion which John 
preached; even Jesus of Nazareth, 38 how 
God anointed Him with the Holy Spirit 
and with power; Who went about doing 



3 Gr. Having come. 

* Many Mss. omit the words. He sent ; but the sense seems 

' demand them. 



36 The word; the Gospel, or way of salvation through 
Jesus Christ. 

37 The word that came throughout all Judaia; the Gos- 
pel that began to be preached from the immersion of John, 
and had been enlarged upon by Christ and His disciples; 
of which, presumably, all the people in that region of 
country had some knowledge. 

38 Anointed Jesus; set Him apart and equipped Him for 
all His work as the Messiah and Savior. With the Holy 
Spirit; Christ seems to have done His mighty works 
through the power of the Holy Spirit. Healing all that 
were oppressed by the Devil; it was the object of Christ's 
mission to destroy, annul, and set aside, the works of the 
Devil in men; and as sickness was one of the Devil's 
works. Jesus healed all who applied to Him. directly or in- 
directly, for healing. It is not supposable that Jesus act- 
ually healed all Devil-oppressed ones; but that He healed 
all of the different classes of diseased ones, that made ap- 
plication, directly, or through friends. 



180 



ACTS 



good, and healing all that were oppressed 
by the Devil; because God was with Him. 
39 And we are witnesses of all things 
which He did both in the country of the 
Jews and in Jerusalem; Whom they also 
slew, hanging Him on a tree. 40 Him God 
raised on the third day, and gav.e Him 
to become manifest; 41 not to all the peo- 
ple, but to witnesses before appointed by 
God — to us who ate and drank with Him 
after He rose from the dead. 42 And He 
commanded us to preach to the people, 
and to fully testify that it is He Who 
hath been ordained by God Judge of the 
living and dead. 43 To Him all the proph- 
ets testify, that through His Name every 



one who believes on Him receives remis- 
sion of sins." 44 While Peter was yet 
speaking these words, the Holy Spirit i'ell 
on all those hearing the word. 45 And 
those of the circumcision who believed, as 
many as came with Peter, were amazed, 
because that upon the gentiles also was 
poured out the gift of the Holy Spirit; 46 
for they heard them speaking with tongues, 
and magnifying God. Then Peter an- 
swered, 47 "Can any one forbid the 
water, that these should not be immersed, 
who, indeed, received the Holy Spirit as 
well as we?" 48 And He commanded 
that they should be immersed in the name 
of Jesus Christ. Then they asked him to 
remain some days. 



39 A tree: the cross. 

44 Fell on all; came down upon them in mighty power; 
filling them, and giving them the gift of tongues and over- 
flowing praise, Verse 46, Matt. 3:11, Mark 1:8, Luke 3:16, 
were now lulfilled in the case of Cornelius and his pious 
household. 

47 That these should not be immersed; they were more 
than ordinarily ■well qualified lor the ordinance of immer- 



sion, inasmuch as they had not only been converted, but 
had received the gift of the Holy Spirit. This teaches 
that Spirit-filled people who have not been immersed, 
should, in obedience to the word of God, submit to the 
ordinance. 

N. B. See how God works at both ends of the line. 
When He has a work to be done. He provides the work- 
man; and He has abundant work lor every well-equipped 
workman. 



CHAPTEK XI. 

petek's defense. 

1 Now the apostles, and the brethren 
who were in Judaea, heard that the gen- 
tiles also received the word of God. 2 
And, when Peter went up to Jerusalem, 
those of the circumcision were contending 
with him, 3 saying, that he went in to 
men holding uncircumcision, and ate with 
them ! 4 But Peter, beginning at the first, 
was explaining *Y to them in order, saying, 
5 "I was in the city of Joppa, praying; 
and, in a trance, I saw a vision, a certain 
vessel descending, as a large sheet, let 
down out of the "heaven by four corners; 
and it came close to me: 6 into which 
gazing intently, I was considering, and saw 
the four-footed beasts of the earth, and 
wild beasts, and creeping things, and the 
birds of the heaven. 7 And I heard also 
a voice, saying to me, 'Arising, Peter, kill 
and eat.' 8 But I said, 'By no means, 

NOTES ON CHAPTER XI. 

1 The gentiles; meaning here Cornelius and his house- 
hold; and, if these had received the Gospel, they naturally 
inferred that the Gospel was meant for all the gentiles. 

2 Those of the circumcision; the believing Jews. Were 
contending with him; were finding fault with him for 
preaching to the gentiles. 

10 And all ivere drawn up; the tent with all the ani- 
mals, etc. 



Lord; because a common or an unclean 
thing never entered into my mouth ! ' 9 
But a voice answered a second time out of 
the heaven, 'What God cleansed, make 
not common.' 10 And this took place 
thrice; and all were drawn up again into 
the heaven. 11 And, behold, immediately 
there stood three men at the house in which 
we were, having been sent to me from 
Csesarea. 12 And the Spirit bade me go 
with them, nothing doubting. And these 
six brethren also went with me; and we 
entered into the man's house. 13 And he 
told us how he saw the angel in his house, 
standing and saying, ' Send to Joppa, and 
call for Simon who is surnamed Peter, 14 
who will speak to you words, by which 
you shall be saved, and all your house. ' 15 
And, as I began to speak, the Holy Spirit 
fell on them, as also on us at the beginning; 
16 and I remembered the word of the Lord, 
how He said, 'John, indeed, immersed in 
water, but ye shall be immersed in the 

12 These six brethren; the brethren who went with Peter 
from Joppa to C®sarea. (ch. 10:23, 45). 

14 Words iy which you shall be saved; saved as a real 
believer in the personal Christ, and not saved, as the 
pious Jews were, by an indefinite faith in the coming Mes- 
siah. . -John the Immerser was a saved man ; but he that is 
least in the Kingdom of God is greater than he, (Matt, 
11:11), Allyourhouse; allhisfamily who would believe, 

16 ThcLord; the Lord Jesus Christ, (ch. 1:5). 



ACTS 



181 



Holy Spirit.' 17 If, therefore, God gave 
them the like gift, as to us who believed 
on the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I, 
that I could withstand' God?" 18 And, 
having heard these things, they were silent, 
and glorified God, saying, "Then, to the 
gentiles also God gave repentance unto 
life." 

THE FAITH SPREAD AS FAB AS ANTIOCH IN 
SYRIA. 

19 Those, indeed, therefore, who were 
dispersed by reason of the tribulation that 
arose about Stephen, traveled as far as 
Phoenicia, and Cyprus, and Antioch, 
preaching the word to none but Jews only. 
20 But some of them were men of Cyprus 
and Cyrene; who, indeed, having come to 
Antioch, were speaking to the Greeks also 
publishing the glad tidings of the Lord 
Jesus. 21 And the hand of the Lord was 
with them; and a great number who be- 
lieved turned to the Lord. 22 And the 
report concerning them came to the ears 
of the assembly which was in Jerusalem 
and they sent forth Barnabas as far as An 



tioch; 23 who, having come, and having 
seen the grace of God, rejoiced, and was 
exhorting all that, with purpose of heart, 
they should cleave to the Lord; 24 be- 
cause he was a good man, and full of the 
Holy Spirit, and of faith; and a great 
multitude was added to the Lord. 25 And 
he departed to Tarsus to seek for Saul; 26 
and, having found him, he brought him to 
Antioch. And it came to pass that, even 
for a whole year, they met together in the 
assembly, and taught a great multitude; 
and that the disciples got the name "Chris- 
tian" first in Antioch. 

27 And in those days prophets came 
from Jerusalem to Antioch; 28 and one 
of them — ^^Agabus by name— standing up, 
signified through the Spirit that there was 
about to be a great famine over all the 
inhabited earth; which, indeed, happened 
under Claudius. 29 And the disciples, 
according as any one of them was being 
prospered, determined, each of them, to 
send relief^ to the brethren dwelling in 
Judsea; 30 which also they did, sending 
it to the elders through the hands of Bar- 
nabas and Saul. 



Or, Tiinder. 



2 Gr. For ministry. 



17 Withstand: or stand in the way of the clearly indi 
oated order of God. 

18 Tliey were silent; quit disputing with him, being 
convinced that he did right. Bepentance unto lift : repent- 
ance that leads to eternal life, through faith in Christ. 

19 Phnenicia; a Roman province on the coast north of 
Palestine. Cyprus; an island in the north-east part of 
the Mediterranean sea. Antioch; a city of Syria, about 
three hundred miles north of Jerusalem, on the river 
Orontes. not far from the Mediterranean sea. 

20 Cyrene; a province and city in northern Africa. 
Greeks; it seems better to adopt this text, rather than 
"Helenists;" because this latter term frequently signi 
fles Grecian Jews ; and the record here seems to require 
somebody other than Jews. 

21 The hand of the Lord was with them; their preach- 
ing was accompanied by the mighty displays of God'i 
power. 

22 Sent forth Barnabas; to assist in preaching the 
Gospel. 

23 Having seen the grace of God; the grace displayed ii 
the salvation of so many sinners. With purpose of heart 
with unvaryin-g determination. Cleave to the Lord; abide 
in and with Him. Hold to Him. 

24 Full of the Holy Spirit and of faith; these are indis 
pensible qualifications for an effective ministry of the 
Gospel. As the apostles were unfit to preach Christ, and 
represent His Gospel truly, until they had received the 
Holy Spirit, and had learned to live "The Spirit-filled life;" 
so now no man, however clear his conversion, brilliant his 
natural gifts, varied his learning, scholarly his attainments 
in the letter of the word, or unmistakable his call to the 
ministry, has any Scripture right to take upon himself the 



work of the Gospel ministry, until, through the infilling 
Spirit, he is "endued with power from on high" for the 
duties of this high calling, (Luke 24:49). The denomina- 
tion of Christians that ignores the fact that there is no 
effective ministry without the infilling Spirit Who comes 
to give the supreme qualifications for this oface. will be 
apt to be swept away by the strong tide of worldliness and 
error now dashing over the world, and leave the real work 
of the ministry to others, who, feeling that they can do 
nothing of themselves, yield all to God, and enter the Gos- 
pel ministry under the guidance, and in the power of, the 
Holy Spirit. 

25 Tarsus; Paul's (or Saul's) natal city, (ch. 9:11). 

26 In the assembly; the company of believers, erron- 
eously called "the church." Note the fact everywhere in 
Acts that each assembly was an independent congregation 
of believers meeting together for divine worship. Nor 
did these assemblies have any organic relation to other 
sister assemblies ; but were all co-ordinate and independent 
companies, holding Christ as their living Head. The dis- 
ciples were so busied about Christ, and were so intent on 
promoting His cause, that by their occupation, they got 
the name Christian. 

27 Prophets; inspired teachers, who sometimes foretold 
future events. (I Cor. 12:28; 14:1,3; ch. 21:9-11), 

28 Signified through the Spirit; made known through 
the inspiration of the Spirit. Claudius; Claudius Caesar, 
the fifth Roman emperor, who ruled from A, D. 41 to 54. 
The famine here referred to took place as predicted, and is 
noticed by Josephus, the Jewish historian, (Antiq., ch. II, 
sec. 5). 

30 Elders; leading men in the assembly; also ordained 
preachers and pastors. 



182 



ACTS 



CHAPTER Xn. 



HEKOD SLAYS JAMES. IMPRISONS PETER. 
PETER DELIVERED. HEROD SMITTEN. 

1 Now about that time Herod the king 
put forth his hands to harm some of the 
assembly. 2 And he slew James, the 
brother of John, with the sword; 3 and, 
seeing tliat it pleased the Jews, he pro- 
ceeded to seize Peter also. And tJien were 
the days of unleavened bread. 4 And, 
having seized him, he put him in prison, 
delivering him to four quaternions of sol- 
diers to guard him; intending, after the 
passover, to bring him up to the people. 
5 Peter, therefore, was kept in the prison; 
but prayer was being earnestly made by 
the assembly to God in his behalf. 6 
And, when Herod was about to bring him 
forth, in that night Peter was sleeping be- 
tween two soldiers, bound with two chains; 
and guards before the door were keeping 
the prison. 7 And, behold, an angel of 
the Lord stood by him, and a light shined 
in the cell; and, smiting the side of Peter, 
he raised him up, saying, "Eise up quick- 
ly!" And his chains fell off from his 
hands. 8 And the angel said to him, 
" Gird yourself, and bind on your sandals." 
And he did so. And he says to him, " Cast 
your garment around you, and follow me." 
9 And, going forth, he was following him; 
and he knew not that it was true, which 
was being done by the angel, but was 
thinking that he saw a vision. 10 And, 
having passed the first and second watch; 
they came to the iron gate that leads into 
the city, which opened to them of its own 



accord; and, going out, they passed on 
through one street, and straightway the 
angel departed from him. 

11 And Peter, having come to himself, 
said, "Now I know truly that the Lord 
sent forth His angel, and delivered me out 
of Herod's hand, and from all the expec- 
tation of the people of the Jews. 12 And, 
having considered it, he went to the house 
of Mary, the mother of John who is sur- 
named Mark; where many were gathered 
together and were praying. 13 And, when 
he knocked at the door of the gate, a maid 
came near to answer,^ Rhoda by name. 14 
And, recognizing the voice of Peter, she 
opened not the gate for joy; but, running 
in, she told them that Peter was standing 
before the gate. 15 And they said to her. 

You are mad ! ' ' But she kept confidently 
afiirming that it was so. And they said, 
" It is his angel. " 16 But Peter continued 
knocking; and, opening, they saw him, and 
were amazed. 17 But, beckoning to them 
with his hand to be silent, he declared to 
them, how the Lord brought him forth out 
of the prison. And he said, "Declare 
these things to James, and to the brethren." 
And, going forth, he went to another place, 
18 And, when it became day, there was no 
small commotion among the soldiers, as to 
what, consequently, became of Peter. 19 
And Herod, having sought for him, and 
not finding him, having examined the 
guards, ordered that they be led away to 
death. And, going down from Judaea to 
Csesarea, he tarried ihe^^e. 

20 Now he was very angry with the 



Gr. To hearken. 



NOTES ON CHAPTER Xn. 

1 Herod; Herod Agrippa, grandson of Herod tlie Great, 
(Matt, 2:1). 

2 James: brother of John, and son of Zehedee, 

3 Days of unleavened bread; during the feast of the 
passover, (Ex. 12:12-17). All the fuss that has been made 
about "Easter " has no Scripture warrant. 

4 Four quaternions; four companies of four soldiers 
each, or sixteen in all ; one company for each of the four 
watches of the night. 

6 Was about to bring him forth; to be executed. In 
that night; just preceding the day appointed for Peter's 
execution. Bound with two chains; a chain fastened around 
each wrist, and the other end fastened to a soldier. 

7 His chains fell off; by the mighty power of the angel. 

8 Gird yourself; the ancients girded their bodies with a 
girdle, or belt, when about to walk. Sandals: these pro- 
tected the bottom of the feet, and were fastened to the 
feet by strings or straps. Garment; meaning the outer 
garment, or mantle. 



10 The Arst and second watch: guard of soldiers, who 
were providentially prevented from seeing them. Iron 
gate; that enclosed the prison, and led out of it to the 
city. Of its own accord; of itself, or automatically, though 
it was really done by the invisible power of God. 

11 Having come to himself; having returned to self-con- 
sciousness; and seeing that what had transpired was a 
reality. 

12 John . . . Mark; the writer of the Gospel of Mark, 
and companion of Paul and Barnabas, (v. 25). 

15 Jfa(i; deranged, or insane. It is his angel : bis gna^Td- 
ian angel vrho. as they supposed, had come to give some 
information about Peter, 

17 To James: either James the son of Alph^us, (ch. 1 : 13) . 
called "James the less," or James the Lord's brother. 
Whether one or the other of these, he is spoken of as a 
man 6f influence in ch. 15:13-20. Went into another 
place; to avoid arrest. 

19 CtBsarea; ch. 8:40. 



ACTS 183 

Tyrians and Sidonians; and they came with And immediately an angel of the Lord 
oneaccordtohim;and, having made Bias-smote him, becaase he did not give God 
tus, the king's chamberlain, their friend, the glory; and, having been eaten by worms, 
they asked for peace, because their countrv h^ expired. 2i But the word of God was 
was being maintained by that o/the king, growmg, and multiplyng. 25 And Bar- 

21 And, on a set da V, Herod, having put nabes and Saul returned from Jerusa- 
on roval apparel, and seating himself on lem. havmg fulfilled their ministry, tak- 
the judgment seat, made a speech to them, ing with them John who was surnamed 

22 And the people were shouting, ''^ It /s ^lark. 

the voice of a god, and not of a man ! " 23, *some mss. read to. 



20 Tijrians ... Sidonians; inhabitants of TjTe and 23 An angel smote him; slew him, because he did not le- 
Sidon; two cities of Phoenicia, north of Caesarea on the buke those -who honored him as a god. 
Mediterranean sea. King's chamberlain; the oflScer having- 24 The word of God teas growing and mulUplying; 
charge of the king's bed-chamber. Was being maintained; the Gospel reached many people, and many were converted 
supported with grain and other provisions. | to Christ. 

22 Were shouting; with boisterous applause, as if he 25 Bamahag and Saul returned from Jerusalem; to An- 
were a god. and not a man. ! tioch. Having fulfilled their ministry; ch. 11 :30. 

CHAPTER Xin. Salamis, they declared the word of God in 

the synagogues of the Jews; and they had 

BARXABAS AXD SAUL, SEXT AS MssioxA- j^^^ ^^^^ ^^ ^^ attendant. 6 And, hav- 

RiES BY THE ASSEMBLY AT AXTiocH. ■ through the whole island as far 

THEY VISIT CYPRUS, PAMPHYLiA, PisiDiA, ^^ p j^^ ^^ ^^^^^ ^ ^^^^^-^ sorcerer, 

AXD LYCAOxiA. THEY RETURN TO AX- f^^^^ prophet, a Jew, whose name u-as 

TIOCH BY ATTALiA. |Bar-Jesus, 7 who was with the procon- 

1 Now there were in Antioch, in the as- sul, Sergius Paulus, an intelligent man; 

sembly which was tlie/'e, prophets and the same having called for Barnabas and 

teachers; both Barnabas and Symeon who Saul, desired to hear the word of God; 8 

is called Xiger, and Lucius the Cyrenean, but Elymas, the sorcerer (for so his name 

and Manaen, the foster-brother of Herod is interpreted) withstood them, seeking to 

the tetrarch, and Saul. 2 And, while they turn aside the proconsul from the faith. 

were ministering to the Lord, and fasting, 9 But Saul, who is also called Paul, filled 

the Holy Spirit said, '"Separate now to with the Holy Spirit, looking intently 

Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to upon him, 10 said, ''O full of all guile, 

which I have called them." 3 Then, havingland all villainy, son of the Devil, enemy 

fasted and prayed, and having laid hands of all righteousness, will you not cease 

on them, they sent them q.'w^j. 'perverting the right ways of the Lord? 

4 They, indeed, therefore, having been 11 And now, behold, ?^/«<?hand of the Lord 

sent forth by the Holy spirit, went down, is upon you; and you shall be bhnd, not 

into Seleucia; and thence they sailed away|seeing the sun for a season." And imme- 

to Cyprus. 5 And, having arrived injdiately there fellonhimamist anda dark- 

XOTES ON CHAPTER XIII. ! * ^^"'^ forth by the Holy Spirit; the assembly simply 

ratifying the Spirit "s call, and bidding his called ones God.- 



1 Cyrene; ch. 11:20. Serod; Herod Antipas. (Luke 3: 
1. 19). 

2 Th^ Holy Spirit said, separate to Me; the Holy Spirit, 
as Executive of God-head, calls men into the ministry ; 

and. in the absence of His call, no one should ever enter ^ % Paphos: a city on the west side of Cyprus. 
the Gospel ministry. Here the assembly, or congregation a fortune-teller, hypnotest, or wizzard; answering, ia 
of Christians, responds to the Spirit's call, and sends out some respects, to modern spiritists, etc. 



speed in their work; Seleucia; a seaport at the mouth of 
the river Orontes. about fifteen miles from Antioch. 

5 Salamis; a city in the south-east part of Cyprus. 
■7ohn; John Mark. (ch. 12:25). 



two missionaries, Barnabas and Saul. If the Holy Spirit 
had the right of way in the local assemblies now. He might 
send out tens of thousands of Spirit-called. Spirit-flUed 
missionaries. It seems an infinite pity that the religious 
thought of our day is such as to have left the assemblies 
void of power to send out missionaries. 
3 Fasted and prayed; how helpful this might be at the 



7 Proconsul; a governor of a Roman province who re- 
ceived his appointment from the Roman senate. 

8 Elytrias; probably an Arabic word; signifying wise or 
learned in the art of sorcery. 

9 Paul; his Hebrew name was Saul; but here he drops 
the name Saul, and is always called Paul after this. 

10 Son of the Devil; Paul does not hesitate to tell this 



present day. both to the assemblies themselves and to the; wicked man who he is. He. like his father, is a perverterof 
missionaries sent out I Laid hands on them; thus publicly 1 the word of God, and an enemy to the religion of Christ, 
setting them apart to their work. ' 1 11 .ffarecio/ ifteiorrf; the power of God will smite you. 



184 



ACTS 



ness; and, going about, he was seeking 
some to lead him by the hand. 12 Then 
the proconsul, seeing what had taken 
place, believed, being astonished at the 
teaching of the Lord. 

13 Now setting sail from Paphos, Paul's 
company came to Perga in Pamphylia; 
and John, withdrawing from them, re- 
turned to Jerusalem. 14 But they, pass- 
ing through from Perga, came to Anti- 
och in Pisidia; and, entering into the 
synagogue on the sabbath day, they sat 
down. 15 And, after the reading of the 
law and the prophets, the rulers^ of the 
synagogue sent to them, saying, "Breth- 
ren, if there is among you any word of 
exhortation for the people, speak." 

16 And Paul, standing up, and beckon- 
ing with his hand, said, "Men of Israel, 
and ye who fear God, hearken! 17 The 
G-od of this people Israel chose our fath- 
ers; and He exalted the people in their 
sojourn in the land of Egypt; and, with a 
high arm, He led them forth out of it. 18 
And for about the time of forty years He 
bore them* as a nursing father in the wil- 
derness. 19 And, having destroyed seven 
nations in the land of Canaan, He distrib- 
uted by lot their land to them for about 
four hundred and fifty years. 20 And 
after these things He gave them judges, 
until Samuel the prophet. 21 And after- 
ward they asked for a king; and God gave 
them Saul, a son of Kish, a man of the 
tribe of Benjamin, for forty years; 22 
and, having removed him. He raised up 
for them David to be their king; to whom 
bearing testimony. He said, 'I found 
David the son of Jesse, a man after My 
own heart, who will do all My will.' 23 
From the seed of this one, God, according 



"Some Mss. read. Be suffered their manners, etc. 



13 Terga in Pamphylia; Pamphylia was a province in 
the south part of Asia Minor, and Perga was its capital, 
John withdrawing from them; an act which Paul disap- 
proved, (ch. 15:38). 

14 Antiochin Pisidia; so called to distinguish it from 
Antioch in Syria. Pisidia was a province north of Pam 
phylia, on the border of which was Antioch. 

15 Law and the prophets; portions of both were read in 
the synagogues on the sabbath. 

17 With a high arm; with the display of mighty power. 

18 Sore them as a nursing father; dealt patiently with 
their sins and follies. 

19 Seven nations; Josh. 3:10; 11:8. 

22 Testimony; I Sam. 13:14; 16:1-12; Ps. 89:20. 
25 His course; his ministry. Not He; not the Messiah 
(Johnl 20; Matt. 3:11.) 



to promise, brought to Israel a Savior, 
Jesus; 24 John having first preached, be- 
fore His coming, the immersion of repent- 
ance to all the people of Israel. 25 And, 
as John was fulfilling his course, he said, 
' What do ye suppose me to be ? I am not 
Re. But, behold, there cometh One after 
me, the sandals of Whose feet I am not 
worthy to unloose.' 26 Brethren, sons of 
Abraham's race, and those among you who 
fear God, to us the word of this salvation 
was sent forth. 27 For those dwelling in 
Jerusalem, and their rulers, not knowing 
Him, nor the voices of the prophets which 
are being read every sabbath, fulfilled 
them, in having condemned Him; 28 and, 
though finding not one cause of death, they 
asked of Pilate that He should be slain. 29 
And, when they fulfilled all things that 
were written concerning Him, having 
taken Him down from the tree, they -laid 
Him in a tomb. 30 But God raised Him 
from the dead; 31 Who was seen, during 
many days, by those who came up with 
Hira from Galilee to Jerusalem; who, in- 
deed, are now His witnesses to the people. 
32 And we declare to you good tidings of 
the promise made to the fathers, 33 that 
God hath fulfilled this for our children, 
having raised up Jesus; as it has been writ- 
ten in the second Psalm, ' Thou art My 
Son 1 To-day have I begotten Thee ! ' 34 
And that He raised Him up from the dead 
no more to return to corruption. He 
hath thus spoken, ' I will give to you the 
holy und faithful promises of David. ' 35 
Wherefore, in another place. He saith, 
'Thou wilt not give Thy Holy One to see 
corruption.' 36 For David, indeed, having 
served his own generation according to the 
will of God, fell asleep, and was added to 
his fathers, and saw corruption; 37 but 



26 Wordofthis salvation ; the offer of salvation in Christ. 

27 Because they knew Bim not ; did not know Him as the 
Messiah, or Savior. The voices of the prophets: their pre- 
dictions respecting the Messiah. Fulfilled; by crucifying 
Jesus they fulfilled what the prophets had foretold. 

28 Not one cause of death; not one crime meriting death. 

32 The promise made to the fathers; promise respecting 
the Messiah. 

33 This day I have hegotten Thee; begotten Thee from 
the dead. The resurrection of Jesus was the crowning 
proof of His true Messiahship. Had Jesus not been raised, 
the proof that He was the world's Redeemer would have 
been wanting, (Rom. 1:4; 4:25). 

34 The holy and faithful promises of David; promises 
made to David, (Isa. 55:3). These mercies, promised to 
David, (II Sam. 7:12-17), were fulfilled in Christ. 

35 In another place; Ps. 16:\0. 



ACTS 



185 



He Whom God raised up did not see cor- 
ruption. 38 Be it known to you, brethren, 
that through This One is proclaimed to 
you forgiveness of sins; 39 and in Him 
every one who believes is justified from 
all things, from which ye could not be 
justified by ' the law of Moses. 40 Beware, 
therefore, lest that come upon you^ which 
is spoken in the prophets, 41 ' Behold, ye 
despisers, and wonder, and perish;" be- 
cause I do a work in your days — a work 
which ye will by no means believe, though 
one should fully declare it to you.'" 

42 And, as they were going out, they 
kept beseeching him that these words 
might be spoken to them on the next sab- 
bath. 43 And, the synagogue having 
been dismissed, many of the Jews and of 
the devout proselytes followed Paul and 
Barnabas; who, indeed, speaking to them, 
were persuading them to continue in the 
grace of God. 

44 And, on the next sabbath, almost 
the whole city was gathered together to 
hear the word of God. " 45 But the Jews, 
seeing the multitudes, were filled with jeal- 



1 Gr. In. 



Or. vanish away. 



ousy, and contradicted the things spoken 
by Paul, blaspheming. 46 Speaking bold- 
ly, both Paul and Barnabas said, '"It was 
necessary that the word of God should 
first be spoken to you. Inasmuch as ye 
thrust it away from you, and judge your- 
selves unworthy of eternal life, behold, we 
turn to the gentiles; 47 for so hath the 
Lord commanded us, ' I have set Thee for 
a Light of the gentiles, that Thou may est 
be for salvation to the uttermost part of 
the earth.' " 

48 And the gentiles, having heard it, 
were rejoicing, and glorifying the word of 
God; and as many as had been appointed 
to eternal life believed. 49 And the word 
of the Lord was being spread abroad 
through that whole country. 

50 But the Jews urged on the devout 
and reputable women, and the principal 
men of the city, and stirred up persecu- 
tion against Paul and Barnabas, and cast 
them out of their borders; 51 and they, 
having shaken off the dust of their feet 
against them, came to Iconium, 52 And 
the disciples were being filled with joy 
and the Holy Spirit 



39 Every one who believes is jiistified from all things 
Christ by His vicarious sufferings in behalf of our race put 
away sin (Heh. 9:26) ; and now whosoever believes on Him 
is free from the sins that were put away by His sufferings. 
Could not be Justified by the law of Moses ; Rom. 3 :20 ; Heb. 
9:8-28. 

40 Inthei^rnphets; Hab. 1:5. Not a verbal, but an equiv- 
alent quotation. 

41 A work : the overthrow of the Jewish people by their 
enemies. This work of desolation came upon them because 
of their rejection of Jesus Christ. 

43 Devout proselytes; gentiles who had adopted the Jew- 
ish faith. 

46 It was necessary; according to Luke 24:47. Judoe your- 
selves unworthy of eternal life; prove yourselves to be un- 
worthy by rejecting Christ. 

47 Saying; Isa. 49:6. Be for salvation; to be a Savior. 

48 As many as had heen appointed to eternal life; Rom, 



8:28-30; II Thess. 2:13; I Pet. 1:2. Yet we are not to un- 
derstand that God's electing grace saves any one who 
does not repent and believe, or that it prevents any one 
from being saved, who does repent and believe. God's 
sovereignty and man's responsible moral agency must al- 
ways be admitted, whether we can fully reconcile them to 
our methods of reasoning or not. 

50 Devout; in the sense of being zealous for the law, as 
Paul was before his conversion. Reputable women; those 
having position and influence. The natural heart, regard- 
less of sex. is opposed to Christ. 

51 Having shaken off the dust; in solemn protest against 
their wickedness in rejecting Christ, (Mark6:ll). Iconium; 
a city of Lycaonia, a province north-east of Pisidia. 

52 Were being filled; this may signify, either that new 
disciples were, generally, receiving the gift of the Holy 
Spirit, or that, more and more, the disciples were being 
filled 



CHAPTER XIV. 

1 Now it came to pass in Iconium that 
they entered together into the synagogue 
of the Jews, and so spake, that a great 
multitude both of Jews and of Greeks be- 
lieved. 2 But the unbelieving Jews stirred 
up and embittered the souls of the gentiles 
against the brethren. 3 A long time, there- 
fore, they tarried there, speaking boldly in 



the Lord, Who testified to the word of His 
grace, I>i/ granting signs and wonders to be 
done through their hands. 

4 But the multitude of the city was di- 
vided; and some, indeed, held^ with the 
Jews, and some with the apostles. 5 But, 
when a hostile movement was made, both 
of the gentiles and Jews with their rulers, 



NOTES ON CHAPTER XIV. is permitted to speak, unhindered, through God's people. 

So spake, that many believed; when the Holy Spirit the result is, " many believe. " 



186 



ACTS 



to maltreat and stone them ; 6 they, be- 
coming aware of it, fled to the cities of 
Lycaonia, Lystra, and Derbe, and to the 
region round about; 7 and there they were 
proclaiming the Good News. 

8 And at Lystra there was sitting a cer- 
tain man, impotent in his feet; lame from 
his mother's womb, who never walked. 9 
The same was hearing Paul speaking, who, 
looking intently on him, and perceiving 
that he had faith to be healed, 10 said 
with a loud voice, ' ' Stand up on your feet, 
erect ! " And he leaped up, and was walk- 
ing about. 11 And the multitudes, seeing 
what Paul did, lifted up their voice in the 
language of Lycaonia, saying, "The gods, 
made like to men, came down to us!" 12 
And they were calling Barnabas, Jupiter; 
and Paul, Mercury, since he was the chief 
speaker. 13 And the priest of Jupiter 
whose temple was before the city, having 
brought oxen and garlands to the gates, 
together with the multitudes, was wishing 
to offer sacrifice. 14 But the apostles, 
Barnabas and Paul, hearing of ^V, having 
rent their garments, leaped forth among: 
the multitude, crying out, 15 and say-j 
ing, "Men, why do ye these things? We 
also are men of like nature^ with you,! 
proclaiming to you glad tidings, that ye 
should turn from these vanities to the liv-^ 
ing God, Who made the heaven, and the 

3 Ot. passions. 



6 Lystra and Derbe; cities of Lycaonia. a province in 
Asia Minor. 

7 And there they wereproclaimina the good tidings; these 
servants of the Lord were so imbued with the Spirit of 
Jesus, that they could not refrain from declaring His Gos- 
pel. 

9 FaiVi to be healed; Paul, through the Spirit, per- 
cei red that the man had faith to be healed. This is a spe- 
cies of discernment much needed, on the part ot God's 
true preachers now; and it is for want of this discern- 
ment that so many who are prayed for, are not healed. 

10 Stand up: when the Spirit speaketh through Grod's 
servants, such orders are obeyed. 

12 Jupittr: considered by the ancient Greeks and Rom- 
ans as the greatest of their gods. The Greeks called him 
Zeus; and the Latins called him Jupiter. Mercury; or 
Mercurius, the supposed god of eloquence or oratory. 

13 Before their city; in front of it. This temple was 
dedicated to the worship of Jupiter. Garlands; wreaths 
of flowers, with which the victims to be sacrificed were 
decorated. 

14 Having rent their garments: in token of their deep 
abhorrence of making sacrifice to mere men! 

15 Men of like natures; mere mortals, being wholly de- 
pendent upon God. These vanities: the worship of imag- 
inary gods. 

16 Suffered all the nations; meaning all the gentiles. 



earth, and the sea, and all things that are 
in them; 16 Who, in the past genera- 
tions, suffered all the nations to walk in 
their own ways; 17 yet He left not Him- 
self without witness, doing good, giving 
you rains from heaven, and fruitful sea- 
sons, filling your hearts with food and 
gladness." 18 And, saying these things, 
they with diflolculty restrained the multi- 
tude from offering sacrifice to them. 

19 But there came thither Jews from 
Antioch and Iconium; and, having per- 
suaded the multitudes, and having stoned 
Paul, they drew him outside the city, sup- 
posing him to have died. 20 But, the dis- 
ciples having surrounded him, rising up, 
he entered into the city; and, on the fol- 
lowing day, he departed with Barnabas to 
Derbe. 21 And, having proclaimed the 
glad tidings to that city, and having made 
many disciples, they returned to Lystra, 
and Iconium, and Antioch; 22 confirm- 
ing the souls of the disciples, exhorting 
them to abide in the faith, and that 
through many tribulations we must enter 
into the Kingdom of God. 23 And, hav- 
ing appointed elders" for them in every as- 
sembly; and, having prayed with fastings, 
they commended them to the Lord on 
Whom they had believed. 

24 And, having gone through Pisidia, 
they came to Pamphylia; 25 and, having 
spoken the word in Perga, they went 



In their own ways; according to their own superstitions, 
and wicked devices. 

17 Without witness : without evidence of His existence, 
power, and benevolence. 

18 From offering sacrifice to them; God's true servants 
never receive divine honors, nor wish to be considered 
otherwise than mere mortals saved by grace. 

19 Having persuaded the multitudes; to believe that 
Paul and Barnabas were bad men. Having stoned PamX; 
having, as they supposed, killed him with stones. 

20 But the disciples having surrounded Mm; having 
gathered around him. Their affection for him was strong 
enough to lead them to incur some personal risk, by show- 
ing their sympathy for him. Rising up; this was a mi- 
raculous raising of this dear servant by Him Who had re- 
deemed him. This stoning did not prevent him from 
preaching the following day. 

22 Confirming the souls; instructing them in the faith 
and practice of the Gospel, and urging them to be stead- 
fast. 

23 Having appointed; by vote, or raising the hand. 
Elders; persons to assume the pastoral care and instruc- 
tion of the assemblies. The assemblies themselves have a 
work to do in appointing elders and deacons, 

24 Pamphylia; they were now on their way back to An- 
tioch in Syria, (ch. 13:1). 

25 Attalia; a seaport in Pamphylia, from which they 
could sail to Antioch. 



ACTS 



187 



down to Attalia; 26 and thence they 
sailed to Antioch, whence they had been 
committed to the grace of God for the 
work which they accomplished. 27 And, 
having arrived, and having gathered to- 



gether the assembly, they were rehearsing 
as many things as God did with them, and 
that He opened to the gentiles a door of 
faith.. 28 And they abode i^/jt-^-e not a lit- 
tle time with the disciples. 



26 The wiirli which ihcu accomplUihed; the missionary 
work for which they had been appointed, (ch. 13:2, 3). 

27 The asaemhlu; the disciples who met together in 
Antioch Opened a door of faith to the gentiles; prepared 
the way to preach the Gospel to them, and to bless those 
who received it. 

N. B. Here we have an account of the first missionary 



tour of the first missionaries sent out by an assembly. 
Here the Holy Spirit issued His call through an assembly; 
and the assembly heeded the call ; and the two missiona- 
ries went under the guidance of the Spirit; planted the 
Gospel in a number of towns and cities, established a 
number of assemblies, and appointed pastors, and re- 
ported to the assembly that sent them out. 



CHAPTER XV. 

1 And some, coming down from Judfea, 
were teaching the brethren, " Unless ye be 
circumcised after the custom of Moses, ye 
cannot be saved." 2 And, when Paul and 
Barnabas had no little dissension and dis- 
cussion with them, they arranged that 
Paul and Barnabas and some others of them 
should go vip to Jerusalem to the apostles 
and elders, concerning this question. 

3 They, indeed, therefore, having been 
sent forward by the assembly, went 
through Phoenicia and Samaria, declaring 
the conversion of the gentiles; and they 
were causing great joy to all the brethren. 
4 And, having come to Jerusalem, they 
were welcomed by the assembly and apos- 
tles and elders; and they rehearsed as many 
things as God wrought with them. 6 But 
there rose up some from the sect of the 
Pharisees, who believed, saying, ''It is 
necessary to circumcise them, and to charge 
them to keep the law of Moses." 6 And 
the apostles and the elders were assembled 
together to see about this matter. 7 But, 
much discussion having arisen, Peter, 
standing up, said to them, "Brethren, ye 
well know that, from early days, God 



made choice among you, that through my 
mouth the gentiles should hear the word 
of the Gospel, and believe. 8 And the 
heart-knowing God bore witness to them, 
giving them the Holy Spirit, even as to us; 
9 and He made no distinction between us 
and them, having purified their hearts by 
faith. 10 Now, therefore, why do ye 
tempt God, that ye should put a yoke upon 
the neck of the disciples, which neither 
our fathers nor we were strong enough to 
bear ? 11 But we believe that we shall be 
saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus, 
in the same manner as also they." 

12 And all the multitude kept silence; 
and they were listening to Barnabas and 
Paul, recounting what signs and wonders 
God wrought among the gentiles throvigh 
them. 13 And, after they were silent, 
James answered, saying, "Brethren, hear 
me. 14 Simeon declared how God first 
visited the gentiles, to take out of them a 
people for His name. 15 And with this 
agree the words of the prophets; as it has 
been written, 16 'After these things I 
will return; and I will build again the 
tabernacle of David, which has fallen down; 
and the ruins thereof will I build again; 



NOTES ON CHAPTER XV. 

1 Some; some Jewish Christians. The brethren; the be- 
lievers at Antioch. After the eustom of Moses; as taught 
lay him in the law. 

2 To the apostles and elders; who, as inspired teachers, 
would be able to give them proper instruction. 

5 Some from the sect of the Pharisees; the Pharisees 
who became Christians were, generally, very tenacious of 
the law. 

7 From early days; early days in the Christian dispen- 
sation. Through my mouth; Peter was the first to preach 
the Gospel to the gentiles, (Acts 10:31-48). 

8 Bore witness to them; giving them the Holy Spirit, 
which was conclusive proof that they had accepted Christ. 

9 Purifying their hearts by faith; faith appropriating 
•Christ, Whose blood cleanses from all sin, (IJohn 1:7). 

10 Tempt God; by acting contrary to His will as mani- 



fested in His providence. Yoke; the burdensome rites 
and ceremonies of the law. 

11 In the same manner as they; Jew and gentile alike 
are saved through faith in Christ, 

13 James; ch. 12:17. 

14 Simeon; the Hebrew mode of spelling Simon, refer- 
ring to Simon Peter, (v. 7). Take out of them a people for 
His name; this is one of the objects had in view in the 
preaching of the Gospel; and the other is to preachit "for 
a witness to all nations," (Matt, 24:14). When these two 
purposes have been fully accomplished, this dispensation 
will speedily close, and the millennial reign of Christ will 
follow. 

15 Theprophets; Isa. 2:2-4; Amos 9:11, 12. 

16 Will build again the tabernacle of David; this is prob- 
ably the temple of which Ezekiel speaks, (chs. 40-44), 
which will, likely, be the place to which the nations will 
go to worship Christ during the millennial period. (Zech. 
14:16; Isa. 6:6, 7,9; 66:23). 



188 



ACTS 



and I will set it up; 17 that the residue 
of men may seek after the Lord, even all 
the gentiles upon whom My name has been 
called," 18 saith tJte Lord, Who mak- 
eth Hhese things known from of old. 19 
Wherefore, I judge that we should not 
trouble those who from among the gen 
tiles are turning to God; 20 but that we 
write to them to abstain from the pollu 
tions of idols, and from fornication, and 
from anything strangled, and from blood; 
21 for Moses, from ancient generations, 
has in every city those preaching him, be- 
ing read in the synagogues every sabbath." 
22 Then it seemed good to the apostles 
and elders, with the whole assembly, to 
send men, chosen from themselves, to An- 
tioch with Paul and Barnabas; Judas who 
is surnamed Barsabas, and Silas — leading 
men among the brethren; 23 having writ- 
ten through their hand thus: "The apos- 
tles, and the elders, brethren, to the breth- 
ren from the gentiles throughout Antioch 
and Syria and Cilicia, greeting: 24 Foras- 
much as we heard that some from among 
us troubled you with words, unsettling your 
souls — to whom we gave no directions; 25 
it seemed good to us, having become of one 
mind, having chosen men, to send to you, 
with our beloved Barnabas and Paul, 26 
men who have given up their souls in be- 
half of the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. 
27 We have sent, therefore, Judas and 
Silas; themselves also reporting the same 
things to you by word of mouth. 28 For 
it seemed good to the Holy Spirit, and to 
us, to lay upon you no greater burden than 
these necessary things: 29 that ye abstain 
from idol-sacrifices, and from blood, and 



from things strangled, and from fornica- 
tion; from which keeping yourselves, ye 
shall do well. Fare ye well." 

30 So they, indeed, being dismissed, 
came down to Antioch; and, having as- 
sembled the multitude, they delivered the 
letter. 31 And, having read it^ they re- 
joiced at the consolation. 33 And Judas 
and Silas, themselves also being prophets, 
exhorted the brethren in many words, and 
confirmed them. 33 And, having spent a 
time there^ they were sent away with peace 
from the brethren to those who had sent 
them. * 35 But Paul and Barnabas tarried 
in Antioch, teaching and proclaiming, with 
many others also, the good tidings of the 
word of the Lord. 

PAUL AND BARNABAS SEPARATE ON AC- 
COUNT OF MARK. 

36 And, after some days, Paul said to 
Barnabas, " Turning about, let us visit the 
brethren in every city, in which we pro- 
claimed the word of the Lord, and see how 
they are doing." 

37 And Barnabas was desiring to take 
with them John also, who was called Mark. 
38 But Paul was not thinking it proper to 
take him with them, who withdrew from 
them from Pamphylia, and went not with 
them to the work. 39 And there arose a 
sharp contention, so that they parted one 
from the other; and Barnabas, taking with 
him Mark, sailed away to Cyprus. 40 And 
Paul, having chosen Silas, went forth, be- 
ing commended by the brethren to the 
grace of the Lord. 41 And he went through 
Syria and Cilicia, confirming the assem- 
blies. 



1 Or, doing these things, known from eternity. 

17 That the residue of men: the millennial reign, which 
is to succeed the present dispensation, will he a period of 
great blessing to man. The Lord hasten it I 

18 Who maketh these things known from of old: the 
readings differ here. The Greek would justify this read- 
ing : Doing these things, known from eternity— that is. 
known to Him from eternity. 

19 Trouble: by laying upon them Jewish ceremonies. 

20 Pollutions of idols: from taking any part in idolatry. 
Things strangled: animals that were killed by strangling, 
without shedding their blood. The eating of blood was 
forbidden by the law, (Gen, 9:4-6; Lev. 17:10-14). 

24 Unsettling your souls; by teaching error, and shaking 
their faith. (Gal. 2:2-4). 

28 Seemed good to the Holy Spirit; acting through the 
apostles and brethren, and impressing them what it was 
right to do. 

31 Rejoiced; at the consolation contained in the letter. 



*34 Omitted from best Mss. 

32 Being prophets: ch. 11:27. 

37 Barnabas was desiring to take John Mark with them; 
John Mark was a nephew of Barnabas; and this fact may 
have had something to do with his persistence in wishing 
to take him in opposition to Paul's wishes, 

38 Who withdrew : ch.. \Z:\Z. 

39 There arose a sharp contention; neither being willing 
to yield. How few there are who get absolute victory 
over self, so as to have no self-preferences! Barnabas 
sailed to Cyprus; his native place, (ch. 4:36). 

41 Confirming the assemblies: strengthening them and 
establishing them in the doctrines and practice of the 
Gospel. There is great need now of Spirit-filled men to 
go over the world, and do the same sort of work that Paul 
and Silas did; preach the Gospel of Christ, immerse be- 
lievers; organize Gospel assemblies, aid in selecting elders 
to serve them, and to confirm them in the faith, once for 
all delivered to the saints. 



ACTS 



189 



CHAPTER XVI. 



1 And lie came down also to Derbe and 
to Lystva. And, behold, a certain dis- 
ciple was there, Timothy by name, son of 
a believing Jewish woman, but of a Gre- 
cian father; 2 who was well reported of 
by the brethren in Lystra and Iconium; 
3 this one Paul wished to go forth with 
him; and, taking him, he circumcised him 
because of the Jews who were in those 
places; for they all knew that his father 
was a Greek. 4 And, as they were jour- 
neying through the cities, they were de- 
livering to them the decrees to keep, that 
had been ordained by the apostles and el- 
ders who were in Jerusalem. 5 So the 
assemblies, indeed, were being strength- 
ened in the faith, and were increasing in 
number daily. 

6 And they passed through the Phry- 
gian and Galatian country, having been 
forbidden by the Holy Spirit to speak the 
word in Asia; 7 and, having come over 
against Mysia, they were trying to go on 
into Bithynia, and the Spirit of Jesus did 
not permit them; 8 and, passing by 
Mysia, they came down to Troas. 

PAUL, AND HIS COMPANIONS COME TO PHIL- 
IPPI. LYDIA, THE JAILER, AND OTHERS 
BELIEVE. 

9 And a vision appeared to Paul by 
night: a certain man of Macedonia was 
standing, and beseeching him, saying, 
"Crossing over into Macedonia, help us!" 
10 And, when he saw the vision, straight- 
way we sought to go forth into Macedonia, 



concluding that God had called us to pro- 
claim the Good News to them. 11 Hav- 
ing set sail, therefore, from Troas, we ran 
in a straight course to Samothrace, and 
on the following day to Neapolis; 12 and 
thence to Philippi, which is the chief city 
of the district of Macedonia, a colony. 
And we were tarrying in this city certain 
days. 

13 And, on the sabbath day, we went 
forth without the gate by a river, where 
we were supposing there was a place of 
prayer; and, sitting down, we were speak- 
ing to the women who had assembled to- 
gether. 14 And a certain woman, Lydia 
by name, a seller of purple, of the city of 
Thyatira, who worshipped God, was lis- 
tening, whose heart the Lord opened to 
attend to the things spoken by Paul. 15 
And, when she was immersed, and her 
household, she besought -ws, saying, "If 
ye have judged me to be faithful to the 
Lord, having entered into my house, abide 
there.'''' And she constrained us. 

16 And it came to pass, as we were on 
our way to the place of prayer, that a cer- 
tain damsel, having a spirit of divination,^ 
met us; who, indeed, was bringing to her 
masters much gain hy sooth-saying. 17 
The same, following after Paul and us, 
kept crying, saying, "These men are serv- 
ants of the Most High God; who, indeed, 
declare to you a way of salvation." 18 
And this she was doing for many days. 
But Paul, having been troubled, and turn- 
ing, said to the spirit, "I command you 



1 Or, Python. 



NOTES ON CHAPTER XVI. 

1 Derbe and Lystra; ch. 14:6. 

3 Circumcised Mm; Paul did this to remove all ground 
of prejudice, on the part of the Jews, against Timothy, as 
a preacher of the Gosi)el. 

i The decrees; the decrees of the apostles and elders at 
Jerusalem, (ch. 15:23-29). 

6 Plirygia; the central and largest province in Asia 
Minor. Galacia; a province east of Phrygia. Asia; the 
word here signifies proconsular Asia, of which Ephesus 
was the capital. 

7 Mysia; north-west of Phrygia. The Spirit of Jesus; 
the Holy Spirit. Did not permit them; the Spirit being 
their guide, they were restrained from going where He did 
not lead them. 

8 Troas; a city near the site of ancient Troy, on the 
north side of the ^gean sea, which separates Asia Minor 
from Europe. 

9 Macedonia; a country in the south-east of Europe. 

10 We; this indicates that Luke, the writer of Acts, ac- 
companied Paul and Silas on this journey. Concluding; 
from the providential indications. 



11 Samothrace; an island in the northern part of the 
^gean sea. Neapolis; a seaport city of Macedonia. 

13 Philippi . . . a colony: inhabited by Roman citizens. 
This seems to have been the first introduction of the Gos- 
pel into Europe. 

14 Thyatira; a city of Lydia. a province of Asia Minor. 
Whose heart the Lord opened; inclined her heart to under- 
stand and believe the word, which Paul preached. 

13 Ahidethere; true Christianity leads to whole-hearted 
hospitality towards God's servants. 

16 Spirit of divination; the spirit that professed to fore- 
tell events. By sooth-saying; by practicing the art of div- 
ination, or telling fortunes, and other things pertaining to 
the future. This is very much the same as the spirit- 
mediums of our times, who are the captives of evil spirits, 
and are used by them in the service of Satan. 

18 Having been troubled; on account of her debased con- 
dition, and the vast evil she was accomplishing. In t he name 
of Jesus Christ; all true servants of God accomplish their 
work for Him in the name, or by virtue of the power, of 
Jesus Christ. Fully equipped servants of God cast out 
demons now. 



190 



ACTS 



in the name ot Jesus Christ to come out 
from her." And it came out that very 
hour. 

19 But her masters, seeing that the hope 
of their gain was gone, laying hold on 
Paul and Silas, dragged them into the 
market-place before their rulers; 20 and, 
leading them forward to the magistrates,'^ 
they said, ' ' These men, being Jews, are 
greatly disturbing our city; 21 and are 
declaring customs, which it is not lawful 
for us to receive, or to observe, being 
Romans. 

22 And the multitude rose up together 
against them; and the magistrates, having 
torn oS their garments, were giving orders 
to beat them with rods; 23 and, having 
laid upon them many stripes, they thrusti 
them into prison, charging the jailer to! 
keep them safely; 24: who, having received 
such a charge, thrust them into the inner 
prison, and made their feet fast in the 
stocks.' 25 And about midnight Paul and 
Silas, while engaged in prayer, were sing- 
ing praise to God; and the prisoners were 
listening to them. 26 And suddenly there 
was a great earthquake, so that the foun- 
dations of the prison were shaken; and im- 
mediately all the doors were opened, and 
the bonds of all were loosed. 27 And the 
jailer, being aroused from sleep, and see- 
ing the doors of the prison open, drawing 
a sword, was about to kill himself, suppos- 
ing that the prisoners had fled. 28 But 
Paul cried out "with a loud voice, saying, 
"Do yourself no harm, for we are all here." 
29 And, calling for a light, he sprang in, 



and, being in fear, he fell down before 
Paul and Silas; 30 and, having brought 
them out, he said, "Sirs, what must I do 
to be saved?" 31 And they said, "Be- 
lieve on the Lord Jesus, and you shall be 
saved, and your house." 32 And they 
spake to him the word of the Lord with 
all that were in his house. 33 And, 
having taken them with him, at that hour 
of the night he washed their stripes; and 
was immersed, himself and all his, imme- 
diately; 34 and, bringing them up into 
his house, he placed a table* near them; 
and he rejoiced greatly with all his house, 
having believed in God. 

35 And, when it was day, the magis- 
trates sent forth the Serjeants,'^ saying, 
"Eelease these men." 36 And the jailer 
reported these words to Paul, "The mag- 
istrates have sent that ye be released; now, 
therefore, going forth, go on your way in 
peace." 37 But Paul said to them, "Hav- 
ing beaten us in public, uncondemned — 
being Romans — they cast us into prison; 
and now are they casting us out privately ? 
Nay, verily; but, coming themselves, let 
them lead us out." 

38 And the Serjeants* reported these 
words to the magistrates; and they were 
afraid, when they heard that they were 
Romans; 39 and, coming, they besought 
them; and, leading them forth, they kept 
asking them to go away from the city. 40 
And, coming out from the prison, they 
entered into the house of Lidia; and, see- 
ing the brethren, they comforted them, 
and departed. 



2 Or. provincial oovernors. 3 Gr. Wood. 



4 Or, supplied food. 5 Gr. Rod-hearers, or lictors. 



19 Hope of their gains; of making money through this 
woman. 

21 Customs . . . not lawful: a new religion, contrary to 
the Roman law. 

24 Stocks; wooden frames in which their feet were fast- 
ened. 

26 The bands; chains, chords, or fetters, with which they 
were confined. 

27 Was about to kill himself; to avoid the death to which 
he supposed he would he exposed, because of the escape of 
the prisoners, (compare ch. 12:19). 

3 What must I do; the jailer was deeply convicted ot 
sin, and had alieen sense of his lost condition. He desired 
salvation from sin. 

31 Believe on the Lord Jesus, and you shall be saved; a 
faith that unites the guilty sinner to the ILiOrd Jesus, who 
put away sin hy the sacrifice of Himself, is all that is 
needed to bring pardon and salvation to the real penitent. 

32 With all who were in his house; all in the jailer's 
house, who were able to understand and believe the word. 
Infants, as such, are under the blood; and not till they 



commit sin do they need anything more than has been 
done for them in the death and resurrection of Christ. 

35 Serjeants; the lictors who accompanied the magis- 
trates, and executed their orders. 

37 Being Uomans; Paul here claims to he a Roman in the 
sense that he was a Roman citizen, whom it was unlawful 
thus to scourge and imprison. Coming themselves, let them 
lead us out; this would be a public confession of wrong. 

39 Besought them; to forgive the injustice. They kept 
asking; Gr., they were asking; i. e., they continued asking 
as they were walking on together. The mighty earthquake, 
and the Spirit of God perhaps convicting them of sin. to- 
gether with the possibility of having to account to Caesar 
for the maltreatment of two of his subjects, had wrought 
a great change in these magistrates. 

40 They comforted them; by telling them of God's won- 
derful protection, and unfolding His Gospel to them. It 
would seem that the brethren should have comforted Paul 
and Silas, in view of the great wrongs inflicted upon them ; 
but God comforted these maltreated servants, and they 
were ready to comfort, encourage, and establish others. 



ACTS 



191 



CHAPTER XVII. 

PAUL VISITS THESSALONICA. 

1 And, having passed through Amphip- 
ohs and Apollonia, they came to Thessa- 
lonica, where was a synagogue of the 
Jews: 2 and, according to Paul's custom, 
he went in to them; and for three sabbaths 
reasoned with them from the Scriptures, 
3 opening and setting forth that il was 
necessary that the Christ should suffer, 
and rise again from the dead; and that 
"This Jesus Whom I am proclaiming to 
you, is the Christ." 4 And some of them 
were persuaded, and cast in their lot with 
Paul and Silas; also, of the devout Grreeks, 
a great number; and, of the principal 
women, not a few. 5 But the Jews, 
moved with jealousy, and taking to them- 
selves certain evil men of the rabble,^ and 
gathering a multitude, were setting the 
city in an uproar; and, assaulting the 
house of Jason, they were seeking them to 
lead them forth to the populace. 6 But, 
not finding them, they dragged Jason and 
certain brethren before the rulers of the 
city, shouting, "These who turned the in- 
habited earth upside down are present 
here also; 7 whom Jason has received; and 
these all are acting contrary to the decrees 
of Caesar, saying that "There is Another 
King — Jesus!" 8 And they troubled the 
multitude and the city-rulers, hearing 
these things; 9 and, having taken secur- 
ity from Jason and the rest, they released 
them. 



THE IJKETHREN SEND PAUL, TO BEUiKA. 

10 But the brethren straightway sent 
away both Paul and Silas by night to Be- 
raea; who, indeed, having arrived, went 
into the synagogue of the Jews. 11 And 
these were more noble than those in Thes- 
salonica, in that they received the word 
with all readiness of mind, examining the 
Scriptures daily, whether these things 
were so. 12 Many, of them, therefore, 
believed; also, of the reputable Grecian 
women, and of men, not a few. 13 But, 
when the Jews from Thessalonica knew 
that also in Bersea the word of God was 
proclaimed by Paul, they came there also, 
stirring up and troubling the multitudes. 
14 And then straightway the brethren 
sent away Paul to journey as far as to the 
sea; but Silas and Timothy remained there 
still. 

PAUL AT ATHENS. 

15 But those conducting Paul brought 
him as far as Athens; and, having received 
a command to Silas and Timothy, that 
they should come to him as soon as possi- 
ble, they departed. 

16 And, while Paul was waiting for 
them in Athens, his spirit was being pro- 
voked within him, observing that the city 
was full of idols. 17 So, indeed, he was 
reasoning in the synagogue with the Jews 
and the devovit persons, and in the market- 
place every day with those who met him. 
18 And some also of the Epicurean and 
Stoic philosophers were encountering him. 
And some said, "What would this bab- 
bler^ wish to say?" And others said^ 



1 Or, idlers in the market-place, 



Gr. Seed-picker. 



NOTES ON CHAPTER XVII. 

1 Amphipolis; the chief city of the eastern d: 
Macedonia. Thessalonica; the capital of the western di- 
vision of Macedonia. 

2 The Scriptures; the Old Testament. 

3 It was necessary that the Christ should suffer; the Old 
Testament Scriptures foretold this. His death was neces- 
sary to their fulfillment, and to the salvation of men. 
There could be no salvation, unless He would lay down His 
life as a sin-offering. 

4 Devout Greeks; Greeks who had become proselytes to 
the Jewish faith. Of principal women; these also prob- 
ably were Greeks. 

5 Moved with jealousy: at the great success of Paul and 
Silas. Jason; a kinsman of Paul, (Rom. 16:21), 

7 Contrary to the decrees of Ccesar; this was the charge 
of treason, and the only proof to sustain it was the fact 
that they spoke of Jesus as King. 

9 Having taken security from Jason; a bond that made 
Jason responsible for entertaining Paul and Silas again. 



10 Berma; a city of Macedonia, south-west of Thessa- 
lonica. 

11 More noble; more sincere and honest-hearted seekers 
after truth. Whether these things were so; whether the 
teachings of Paul and Silas were according to the Scrip- 
tures. 

15 Athens; the most noted city in Greece— distinguished 
for its literature, philosophy, fine arts, idolatry, and cor- 
ruption. 

16 Waiting for them; tor Silas and Timothy. His spirit 
was heing provoked; or deeply stirred at the wretched con- 
dition of the city. 

17 He was reasoning in the synagogue with the Jews; 
seeking to prove the Messiahship of Jesus Christ. Christ 
had become so mighty a power in him, that he found no 
satisfaction except in explaining and enforcing His wonder- 
ful Gospel. (Gal. 1:16). 

18 Epicurians; a school, or sect, established by Epi- 
curus, who taught that pleasure is the chief good. Stoics; 
from the Greek word stoa. a porch; because Zeno. the 
founder of this school, taught his doctrines in such a struc- 
ture. 



192 



ACTS 



"He seems to be a proclaimer of foreign 
gods;" because he proclaimed the good 
tidings of Jesus and the resurrection. 19 
And, laying hold of him, they led him 
upon Mars' Hill, saying, "May we know 
what this new teaching is, that is being 
spoken by you? 20 for you bring to our 
ears certain strange things; we wish, 
therefore, to know what these things 
mean."* 21 Now all Athenians and the 
sojourning foreigners were wont to spend 
their leisure in nothing else, than either 
to tell or to hear something new.* 22 
And, Paul, having taken his stand in the 
midst of Mars' Hill, said, "Men of Ath- 
ens, in all respects I observe that ye are 
more than unusually regardful of the dei- 
ties; 23 for, passing through, and consid- 
ering yovir objects of worship, I found 
also an altar on which had been inscribed, 
'TO AN UNKNOWN GOD.' What, 
therefore, in ignorance ye worship, this 
I declare to you. 24 The God Who made 
the world and all things therein. The Same 
being Lord of Heaven and earth, dwelleth 
not in temples made with hands, 25 nor 
is ministered to by human hands, as i 
needing anything; Himself giving to all 
life, and breath, and all things; 26 and 
He made of one blood every nation of men 
to dwell upon all the face of the earth, 



having marked out their appointed sea- 
sons, and the bounds of their habitation; 
27 that they should seek God, if, perhaps, 
they might feel after Him, and find Him, 
although, in truth, He is not far from 
each one of us; 28 for in Him we live, 
and move, and are;" as also some of your 
own poets have said, 'For we also are His 
offspring.' 

29 ."Being, therefore, God's offspring, 
we ought not to suppose that the God- 
head* is like gold, or silver, or stone, 
graven by man's art and device! 30 God, 
therefore, having overlooked the time of 
ignorance, now commands all men every- 
where to repent; 31 inasmuch as He ap- 
pointed a day in which He intendeth to 
judge the inhabited earth in righteousness, 
by' a Man Whom He appointed, having 
given assurance to all iy raising Him from 
the dead." 

32 And, hearing of the resurrection of 
the dead, some, indeed, were mocking; 
but others said, "We will hear you con- 
cerning this yet again." 

33 Thus Paul went forth out of their 
(/midst. 34 But certain men, joining them- 
selves to him, believed; among whom also 
were Dionysius — the Areopagite — and a 
woman, Damaris by name, and others 
with them. 



3 Gr. Wish to ie. i. Gr. Newer. 



5 Or, exist ; or, have our 



Or. divinity. 7 Gr. In. 



19 Mars' Hill: a rocky hight in Athens, opposite the 
■western end of the Acropolis, where the highest court in 
Athens was held. 

22 More than usuaUv regardful of the deities; this lan- 
guage was rather complimentary than otherwise; and it 
seems to have been so understood. 

23 To an unknown god; this inscription on an altar 
furnished Paul an excellent opportunity for preaching the 
true God to them, as the one they did not know. 

24 Dwelleth not in temples; is not confined within narrow 
limits. 

26 He made of one hlood; one family. All men of all 
races and colors trace back to Adam and Eve. Their sea- 
sons . . . bounds; the countries they should occupy, and 
the periods of their occupying them. 

27 Seek the Lord; the object of God in creation and prov- 
idence is. that men might know and worship Him, And 
this becomes practicable, as He is present to sustain, up- 
hold, and bless. 



28 Your own poets; Aratus. of Cilicia, a Greek poet, 
used the very words, " Wcalso are His offspring." Cleaa- 
thes. another Greek poet, expressed the same sentiment. 

29 We ought not to think; that God— the true God— is 
like gold, or any material object, 

30 Having overlooked; not taking strict account of; for 
He gave the gentiles no law, except the law of nature. 
But now, since the Messiah has come, and made the sin- 
offering. He commands all men everywhere to repent. 

31 By a Man; Jesus Christ. Having given assurance; 
conclusive evidence. Raising Him from the dead; the res- 
urrection of Jesus Christ was the crowning proof of His 
Messiahship, and that His mediatorial work in behalf of 
man was accepted by the Father. 

32 Some were mocking; assuming that the resurrection 
was impossible and absurd. 

34 The Areopagite; a judge of the Athenean court. 
This sermon, though brief (if it was all reported) won an 
Athenian judge, and Damaris and others. 



CHAPTEK XVni. 

PAUL IN CORrNTH. 

1 After these things, departing from 



Athens, he came to Corinth. 2 And, find- 
ing a certain Jew, Aquila by name, a na- 
tive of Pontus, having recently come from 
Italy, and Priscilla his wife (because 



NOTES ON CHAPTER XVIII. 
Corinth: the capital of Achaia, a province of Greece. 



2 A native of Pontus; the north-eastern province of 
Asia Minor. Claudius; Claudius Csesar, the Roman em- 
peror, who reigned from A. D. 41 to 54. 



ACTS 



193 



Claudius had commanded all the Jews to 
depart out of Rome), he came to them; 3 
and, because he was of the same trade, he 
abode with them, and they labored; for by 
occupation they were tent-makers. 4 And 
lie was reasoning in the synagogue every 
sabbath, and was persuading Jews and 
Greeks. 

5 And, when both Silas and Timothy 
came down from Macedonia, Paul was be- 
ing constrained by the word, fully testi- 
fying to the Jews that Jesus is the Christ. 
6 But, when they resisted, and blasphemed, 
lie, shaking out A/^ garments, said to them, 
'"Your blood be upon your own head ! I am 
pure ! Henceforth I will go to the gen- 
tiles." 

7 And, departing thence, he entered 
into the house of a certain man, Titus 
Justus by name, a worshipper of God, 
whose house was adjoining the synagogue. 
8 And Crispus, the ruler of the synagogue, 
believed on the Lord with all his house; 
and many of the Corinthians, having heard, 
were believing, and being immersed. 

9 And the Lord said to Paul, through a 
vision by night, "Fear not, but speak, and 
be not silent; 10 because I am with you, 
and no one shall set on you to harm you; 
because I have much people in this city. 
11 And he dwelt there a year and six 
months, teaching the word of God among 
them. 

12 But, when Gallio "was proconsul of 
Achaia, the Jews with one accord rose up 
against Paul, and- brought him to the judg- 
ment-seat, 13 sayiiig, "This man is per- 



suading men to worship God contrary to 
the law." 14: And, when Paul was about 
to open his mouth, Gallio said to the Jews, 
"If, indeed, it were some wrong or wicked 
villainy, O Jews, with reason had I borne 
with you; 15 but, if they are questions 
about a word, and names, and your own 
law, ye yourselves shall see to it. I am 
not disposed to be a judge of such mat- 
ters." 16 And he drove them from the 
judgment-seat. 17 But they all, having 
laid hold upon Sosthenes, the ruler of the 
synagogue, were beating him before the 
judgment-seat. And Gallio was caring 
for none of these things. 

PAUL VISITS EPHESUS. 

18 And Paul, abiding after this yet 
many days with the 'brethren, having 
taken leave of them, was sailing away to 
Syria, and with him Priscilla and Aquila; 
having shaven his head in Cenchrea; for 
he had a vow. 19 And they came down 
to Ephesus, and he left them there; but 
he himself, entering into the synagogue, 
reasoned with the Jews. 20 And, though 
they asked him to remain a longer time 
with them, he consented not; 21 but, 
taking leave of them, and saying, "I will 
return to you again, God willing," he 
sailed from Ephesus; 22 and, landing at 
Cfesarea, going up and saluting the assem- 
bly, he went down to Antioch. 23 And, 
having spent some time there, he departed, 
going through the region of Galatia and 
Phrygia, in order, establishing all the dis- 
ciples. 



3 Trade; occupation. It was common with the Jews to 
give their sons a trade, that they might be independent. 

4 Was persuading the Jews; that Jesus was the Messiah. 

5 Was being constrained by the word; meaning, proba- 
bly, that he was greatly interested in bringing out the 
word— especially that portion of the Scriptures that proved 
Jesus to be the Christ. 

6 Shaking out his aarmenis; in token of his great abhor- 
rence of their sin in rejecting and opposing the Messiah. 
Your blood be upon your own head; the guilt of your own 
destruction rests upon your own heads. / am pure; free 
from all blame in the matter of your destruction. 

7 -4 worshipper of God; a proselyte to the Jewish faith. 
10 Much people in this city; many who would accept the 

Grospel, and become children of God by faith in Jesus 
Christ, (Gal. 3:26). 

12 Gallio; the Koman governor of the province of 
Achaia. and brother of Seneca— who wrote many beautiful 
moral sentiments, and is said to have violated them all. 
£ose up against Paul; assaulted and arrested him. 

13 Contrary to the law; the law of Moses. 



16 He drove them from the judgment-seat; that is, he 
drove the Jews, who had brought Paul before him, from 
the judgment- seat. This decision was, practically, in 
Paul's favor. 

17 Butthey all; all the Greeks present, who sympathized 
with the decision of Gallio. Sosthenes; probably the main 
leader against Paul. Was caring for none of these things; 
Gallio did not concern himself about the treatment Sos- 
thenes received, quite willing that he should be punished 
for his bigotry. 

18 Having shaven his head; in fulfillment of a vow or 
promise to the Lord. Cenchrea; the sea-port of Corinth, 
about eight miles east of the city. 

19 Ephesus; a city of Ionia in Asia Minor, about forty 
miles south of Smyrna. 

22 CcBsarea; a sea-port on the western coast of Pales- 
tine. Antioch; Antioch in Syria, the place from which he 
went out on his late tour. 

23 Qalatia and Phrygia; provinces already visited by 
the apostle. Establishing all the disciples; in the doctrines 
of the Gospel, and encouraging them to live holy lives. 



194 



ACTS 



24: Now V. certain Jew, Apollos byname, 
jin Alexandrian by birth, a learned man, 
came down to Ephesus; and he was mighty 
in the Scriptures. 25 The same had been 
instructed in the way of the Lord; and, 
being fervent in spirit, he was speaking 
and teaching accurately the things con- 
cerning Jesus, knowing only the immer- 
sion of John. 26 The same also began to 
speak boldly in the synagogue. But Pris- 
cilla and Aquila, having heard him, took 



24 An Alexandrian, by birth: born in Alexandria, a city 
in the north part of Egypt, founded by Alexander the Great 
about three hundred years B. C. 

25 The same had been instructed in the way of the Lord: 
so far as it was revealed in the Old Testament Scriptures, 
and in the preaching of John the Immerser. 

26 Expounded to him the way of God more accurately; 
Prisoilla and Aquila taught him about the coming of the 
Messiah. His vicarious death on the cross, and His resur- 
rection, and ascension to Heaven; thus simplifying tbe 
plan and way of salvation through Him. It is a blessed 



him to themsel/ves^ and expounded to him 
the way of Grod more accurately. 27 
And, when he was disposed to pass'over 
into Achaia, the brethren, encouraging 
him, wrote to the disciples to receive him; 
who, having come, helped much those who 
had believed through grace ;^ 28 for pow- 
erfully was he refuting the Jews publicly, 
showing by the Scriptures that Jesus is 
the Christ. 



Or, through his gift. 



thing to have men and women who are able to discern the 
defects in others, and to lead them into more light. 

27 Achaia: a part of Greece, whose capital was Corinth. 
Thehrethren wrote; the Christians at Ephesus wrote letters 
recommending Apollos to Christians in Achaia. Helped 
them much; by his teachings, etc. 

28 Powerfully was he refuting the Jews: the tense form 
hate-indicates that he occupied more or less of his time, in 
showing from the Scriptures that Jesus was the Christ. 
How rapidly he took in the truth, when he was properly 
Instructed I 



CHAPTER XIX. 

PAUL AT EPHESUS. 

1. And it came to pass, while Apollos 
was in Corinth, that Paul, having passed 
through the upper districts, came to Eph- 
esus, and found certain disciples; 2 and 
he said to them, "Did you receive the Holy 
Spirit, after having believed?" And they 
said to him, "Nay, we did not even hear 
whether there is a Holy Spirit." 3 And 
he said to them, "Into what, then, were 
ye immersed?" And they said, "Into 
John's immersion." 4 And Paul said, 
"John immersed with an immersion of re- 
pentance, saying to the people tha^ they 
should believe on Him coming after him; 
that is, on Jesus." 5 And, having heard 
this, they were immersed into the name of 
the Lord Jesus; 6 and, Paul having laid 
hands on them, the Holy Spirit came upon 
them, and they were speaking with 



tongues, and prophesying. 7 And all the 
men were about twelve. 

8 And, entering into the synagogue, he 
was speaking boldly for three months, 
reasoning and persuading as to the things 
concerning the Kingdom of God. 9 But, 
when some were hardening themselves 
and were disbelieving, speaking evil of 
the Way before the multitude, he, with- 
drawing from them, separated the dis- 
ciples; reasoning daily in the school of 
Tyrannus. 10 And this continued for two 
years; so that all those dwelling in Asia 
heard the word of the Lord, both Jews 
and Greeks. 11 And God kept perform- 
ing special* miracles through the hands of 
Paul; 12 so that there were even carried 
from his body^ to the sick handkerchiefs 
or aprons, and the diseases departed from 
them, and the evil spirits went out. 13 
But some also of the wandering Jews, 



1 Gr. Jfot ordinary. 2 Gr. Skin. 



NOTfiS ON CHAPTER XIX. 

1 OChe upper districts; referring to Phrygia and Galatia. 
which, more remote from the sea, were on higher ground 
than Ephesus. 

2 Baving believed; having believed in Christ. Did ye 
receive the Holy Spirit; the reception of the Holy Spirit 
cannot take place till after one has accepted Christ as his 
Savior. But many never receive the Spirit, so as to be 
filled with His Holy Presence. Spirit-flUing presupposes 
full consecration. Whether there is a Holy Spirit; to be so 
received. Millions of Christians are now equally ignorant 
of this unspeakable privilegel It is a great pity that 
Christianity should ever have fallen below the standard of 
the Spirit-filled life. 

5 When one's immersion is essentially defective, it may 



become one's duty to be re-immersed, on getting the proper 
light. 

9 Tlie school of Tyrannus; the room where Tyrannus 
taught. 

10 In Asia; inlonia, or proconsular Asia, of which Eph- 
esus was the capital. 

11, 12 Special miracles; healing the sick in connection 
with the sending of handkerchiefs or aprons from him to 
them. And the evil spirits went out; in connection with 
the healing; suggestive of the agency of demons in sick- 
ness. 

13 Exorcists; those who claimed to drive out evil spirits 
from others by uttering certain ceremonies over them. 
adjureyouby the name of Jesus; charge you with an oath 
in the name of Jesus. 



ACTS 



195 



exorcists, attcjiiptcd to name over those 
having evil spirits the name of the Lord 
Jesus, saying, "I adjure you by the Jesus 
Whom Paul preaches." 14 Now there 
were seven sons of one Sceva, a Jewish 
high priest, who did this. 15 And the 
evil spirit, answering, said to them, ' 'Jesus 
I know, and Paul I understand; but who 
are ye?" 16 And the man in whom was 
the evil spirit, leaping upon them, and, 
overcoming them both, prevailed against 
them, so that they fled out of that house 
naked and wounded. 17 And this became 
known to all, both Jews and Greeks, who 
were dwelling at Ephesus; and fear fell 
upon them all, and the name of the Lord 
Jesus was being magnified. 18 Many also 
of those who had believed were coming, 
confessing, and declaring their practices. 
19 A considerable number, moreover, of 
those who had practiced the curious arts, 
having brought together the books, were 
burning them in the presence of all; and 
they counted the prices of them, and found 
them fifty thousand pieces of silver. 20 
So mightily grew the word of God, and 
prevailed. 

21 Now, when these things were ended, 
Paul purposed in his spirit, after passing 
through Macedonia and Achaia, to go to 
Jerusalem; saying, "After I have been 
there, I must see Rome also." 22 And, 
having sent into Macedonia two of those 
ministering to him, Timothy and Erastus, 
he himself remained for a time in Asia. 

23 And about that time there arose no 
small stir concerning the Way. 24: For 
a certain one, Demetrius by name, a silver- 
smith, making silver shrines^ of Diana, 



was bringing to the artisans no small bus- 
iness; 25 gathering whom together, and 
the workmen of like occupation, he said, 
"Men, ye know that out of this business 
we have our wealth. 26 And ye perceive 
and hear that, not only at Ephesus, but al- 
most in all Asia, this Paul, having per- 
suaded, turned away a great multitude, 
saying, that they are not gods that are 
made with hands. 27 And not only is 
there danger to us that this branch of our 
business will come into disrepute, but also 
that the temple of the great goddess Diana 
be reckoned of no account, and also her 
magnificence will be destroyed, whom all 
Asia and the inhabited earth worship." 

28 And, hearing this, and becoming full 
of wrath, they were crying aloud, saying, 
"Great is Diana of the Ephesians!" 29 
And the city was filled with the confusion; 
and they rushed with one accord into the 
theater, having seized Gaius and Aristar- 
chus — Macedonians — fellow-travelers of 
Paul. 30 And, Paul purposing to. enter 
in unto the people, the disciples were not 
permitting him. 31 And some also of the 
chief men of Asia,* being his friends, send- 
ing to him, were beseeching hiwj not to 
venture himself into the theater. 

32 Some, therefore, were crying one 
thing, and some another; for the assembly 
had become confused, and the greater 
part knew not for what cause they had 
come together. 33 And they brought Al- 
exander out of the crowd, the Jews thrust- 
ing him forward. And Alexander, wav- 
ing his hand, wished to make defense to 
the people. 34 But, when they perceived 
that he was a Jew, one voice arose from 



Or, temples. 



Gr. Asiarchs. 



15 Jems I know, and Paul; the demons recognized the 
authority of Jesus and Paul to cast them out of human be- 
ings. 

16 Demons have great power, as was manifested in over- 
coming these exorcists. This looked as if the Devil had 
turned against himself ; but, doubtless, it was the mighty 
power of God, that caused the demon to attack these men. 

17 Such power as that displayed through Paul would 
bring a great revenue of glory to God now, not only in 
heathen lands, but in all Christian communities. 

19 The curious arts; arts of jugglery, witchcraft, hyp- 
notism, etc. Modern Spiritism is much the same as that 
brought to view in this Scripture. Boohs; that taught 
how to practice these arts. 

21 Macedonia and Achaia; provinces in Greece, already 
visited by Paul. (ch. 16:10; 17:15; 18:12). 

22 Erastus; once treasurer of Corinth, (Rom. 16 
Asia; Ionia, (v. 10). 



2.3 The Way; the way of salvation through Christ. 

24 Silver shrines for Diana; Diana was a celebrated im- 
aginary heathen goddess, for whom a fine temple had been 
built in Ephesus. The shrines were small silver temples 
made in imitation of that of Diana. These were made by 
the artisans, or workmen, and were sold in great numbers 
to the people, who prized them as precious memorials. 

25-27 Paul's successful ministry in turning many from 
idolatry to the living Christ, was greatly damaging the 
sale of silver shrines, and thereby was damaging this 
branch of business. 

31 Theater; a place for the public assembling of the 
citizens— like a large city hall. 

33 Thrusting him forward; for the purpose of giving 
him an opportunity to explain. 

34 One voice arose from all; the object being to prevent 
Alexander from being heard. The one voice was the cry, 
"Great is Diana of the Ephesians." 



196 



ACTS 



ajl, crying aloud for about two hours, 
"Great is Diana of the Ephesians!" 35 
But the town-clerk, having quieted the 
multitude, says, "Men of Ephesus, who, 
indeed, of men is there that does not know 
that the city of the Ephesians is temple- 
keeper of the great Diana, and of the 
image that fell down from Jupiter? 36 
These things, therefore, being incontro- 
vertible, it is needful that ye be quiet, and 
do nothing rash. 37 For ye brought 
hither these men, who a/i'e neither temple 
robbers nor blasphemers of our goddess 



38 If, indeed, therefore, Demetrius and 
the artisans with him have a matter against 
any one, court-days are held, and there 
are proconsuls; let them accuse one an- 
other. 39 But, if ye seek anything about 
other matters, it shall be determined in 
the lawful assembly. 40 For, indeed, we 
are in danger of being accused of riot re- 
specting this day, there existing no cause 
for it, and regarding which we will be 
unable to give an account of this con- 
course." 41 And, having thus spoken, he 
dismissed the assembly. 



35 Town-clerk; a city officer who recorded the laws, who 
presided over certain public meetings, and read what was 
to he communicated to the public. Having Quieted thepeo 
pie; so that he could he heard. The image; the image of 
Diana which was superstitiously believed to have been 
given by Jupiter, the imaginary chief of the gods. 

37 These men; Gaius and Aristarchus (v. 29). Neither 
temple-robbers nor blasphemers of our goddess; the town- 
clerk, on his own authority, acquits these men of any grave 
charge, and releases them. 



38 Have a matter against any one; any real cause of 
complaint. Proconsuls; who presided in the administra- 
tion of justice. Let them accuse one anotlier; or argue 
their cases in court. 

39 Other matters : things that concern, not individuals, 
but the public. Lawful assembly; an assembly regularly 
called, and not a mob, as the present gathering was. 

40 Accused of riot; revolt against the Roman govern- 
ment was forbidden by law, and the instigator of it was 
subject to death. Demetrius and his partisans, seeing 
their peril, gave up their case. 



CHAPTER XX. 

PAUL LEAVES EPHESUS — AND JOURNEYS 
THROUGH MACEDONIA AND GREECE BACK 
TO PHILIPPI, THENCE TO TROAS AND 
MILETUS. 

1 And, after the tumult ceased, Paul, 
having sent for the disciples, and exhorted 
them, taking leave of them, departed to go 
into Macedonia. 2 And, having gone 
through those parts and exhorted them 
with many words, he came into Greece; 3 
and, having spent three months there, a 
plot being laid for him by the Jews, as he 
was about to sail into Syria, he determined 
to return through Macedonia. 4 And there 
accompanied him Sopater, so7i of Pyrrhus, 
a Bersean; and of the Thessalonians, Aris- 
tarchus and Secundus; and Gaius of Derbe, 
and, Timothy; and, of Asia, Tychicus and 
Trophimus. 5 And these, having gone 
before, were waiting for us at Troas; 6 
and we sailed away from Philippi, after 
the days of unleavened bread, and came to 
Troas in five days; where we tarried seven 
days. 

Y And on the first day of the week, we 

NOTES ON CHAPTER XX. 

4 Asia; Asia Minor, or proconsular Asia. (ch. 19:10). 

5 Wer e waiting for vs; this proves the presence of Luke, 
and indicates that he accompanied Paul in his detour 
through Macedonia. 

6 Unleavenediread; meaning here the Passover. 



having come together to break bread, Paul 
was discoursing to them (being about to 
depart on the morrow), and continued the 
discourse until midnight. 8 And there 
were many lamps in the upper room, 
where we were assembled. 9 And a cer- 
tain young man, Eutychus by name, seated 
in a window, being borne down with deep 
sleep, as Paul was long discoursing, over- 
powered by the sleep, fell from the third 
story, and was taken up dead. 10 And 
Paul, going down, fell upon him; and, 
embracing him, said, "Make no tumult! 
for his soul is in him." 11 And, having 
gone up, and broken bread, and eaten,^ 
and for a long time having conversed with 
them, even till break of day, so he departed. 

12 And they brought the boy alive, and 
were comforted in no ordinary measure. 

13 And we, going before to the ship, set 
sail for Assos, there intending to take up 
Paul; for so he had arranged, intending him- 
self to go on foot. 14 And, when he met us 
at Assos, taking him up, we came to Myti- 
lene. 15 And sailing thence, we came the 



1 Gr. Tasted. 

7 First day of the week; the Lord's day, or day of public 
religious worship. To break bread; to celebrate the Lord's 
Supper. 

13 Assos; a maritime city near Troas, on the .^Egean 
sea. 

Mitylene; the capital of the island of Lesbos. 



ACTS 



197 



following day ovor against Chios; and the 
next day we touched at Samos; and, on 
the following day^ we came to Miletus. 
16 For Paul had determined to sail past 
Ephesus, that he might not have to spend 
time in Asia; for he was hastening, if it 
were possible for him, to be in Jerusalem 
on the day of Pentecost. 

I'AUL'S rAREWEUCi ADDRESS TO THE EL- 
DERS OF EPHESUS. 

17 And, having sent from Miletus to 
Ephesus, he called for the elders of the 
assembly. 18 And, when they came to 
him, he said to them, ''Ye yourselves 
know from the first day on which I came 
into Asia, after what manner I was with 
you all the time; 19 serving the Lord 
with all humility, and with tears, and 
with trials which befell me in the plottings 
of the Jews; 20 how I shrank not from 

declaring to you anything that was profit- -, , , , ., ,. 

able, and from teaching you publicly, and ^ ^«7«ted no one's silver, or gold, or ap 
from house to house, 21 fully testifying, Parel. 34 le yourselves know that these 
both to Jews and Greeks, repentance to 



Wherefore, I testify to you this day, that 
I am clean from the blood of all men; 27 
for I shrank not from declaring to you the 
whole counsel of God. 28 Take heed to 
yourselves, and to all the flock in which 
the Holy Spirit appointed you overseers,* 
to shepherd the assembly of God, which 
He purchased with His own blood. 29 I 
know that, after my departure, grievous 
wolves will enter in among you, not spar- 
ing the jBock; 30 and from among your- 
selves will men arise, speaking perverse 
things, to draw away the disciples after 
them. 31 Wherefore, watch, remember- 
ing that for three years, night and day, 
I ceased not to admonish every one with 
tears. 

32 "And now I commend you to God, 
and to the word of His grace, which is 
able to build yoxi up, and to give you the 
inheritance among all the sanctified. 33 



ward God, and faith toward our Lord 
Jesus. 22 -And, now, behold, I, bound by^ 
the Spirit, am going to Jerusalem, not 
knowing the things that shall befall me 
there; 23 except that the Holy Spirit 
testifieth to me in every city, saying that 
bonds and tribulations await me. 24 But 
I make not my souP of any value as dear 
to myself, so that I may accomplish my 
course, and the ministry which I received 
from the Lord Jesus, to fully testify the 
Gospel of the grace of God. 25 And 
now, behold, I know that ye all, among 
whom I went about preaching the King- 
dom, will see my face no more. 26 



hands ministered to my necessities, and 
to those who were with me. 35 In all 
things I showed you that, thus laboring, 
ye ought to help the weak, and to remem- 
ber the words of the Lord Jesus, that 
He Himself said, 'It is more blessed to 
give than to receive.' " 

36 And, having said these things, bow- 
ing his knees, he prayed with them all. 
37 And great weeping arose from all; 
and, falling upon Paul's neck, they kept 
kissing him; 38 being distressed espec- 
ially on account of the word which he had 
spoken, that they were to see his face no 
more. And fliey were escorting him to 
the ship. 



2 Or, in. 3 Or, life. 



i Or'bishops; or, 2'astors. 



15 Chios; an island in the ^gean sea, now called Soio. 
Samos ; an island near the province of Lydia. Miletus; a 
maritime town south of Ephesus. 

16 Sailed past Ephesus ; without stopping at Ephesus. 

17 The elders of the assembly ; pastors and teachers. 

20 Anything that was profitable; he preached the whole 
truth to them. 

23 Bound hy the SpiiHt; controlled hy the Spirit, and 
made subject to His guidance. 

26 Clean from the blood of all men; he had so preached 
the Gospel, that the responsibility of the salvation of these 
people was no longer his. but theirs. 

28 Overseers; bishops, who were called in v. 17, elders, 
(see I Peter 5:2, 3). These were servants of a single flock— 
the assembly at Ephesus. Purchased with His own Mood; 
the blood of Jesus Christ, or His life, was the price paid in 



human redemption. The Father gave His Son, and the 
Son gave His life, to save sinners. Many ancient Mss. read 
"the Lord:" as, to feed the assembly of the Lord, (meaning 
Jesus), Who purchased, etc. 

29 Grievous wolves; false teachers. The Hock; the as- 
sembly, or members composing it. 

33 1 coveted no one's silver, or gold, or apparel; every 
true minister of the Gospel ought to be able to say the 
same. 

34 These hands; Paul worked with his own hands to 
support himself, and those with him; and yet there are 
people, claiming to be sanctified, who do not work at all: 

35 Help the weak; supply the needs of the feeble and 
destitute. More blessed to give than to receive; these exact 
words do not appear in any one of the Gospels, though the 
truth they express is abundantly taught in His. teachings. 



198 



ACTS 



CHAPTER XXI. 



1 And, when it came to pass that we, 
having been torn away from them, had 
set sail, we came with a straight course to 
Cos, and the next day to Rhodes, and thence 
to Patara; 2 and, having found a ship 
crossing over to Phcenicia, going aboard, 
we set sail. 3 And, having come in sight 
of Cyprus, leaving it on the left hand, we 
sailed to Syria, and landed at Tyre; for 
there the ship was to unload her cargo. 
4 And, having found the disciples, we 
tarried there seven days; who, indeed, 
said to Paul through the Spirit, that he 
should not go up to Jerusalem. 5 And, 
when it came to pass that we completed 
the days, going forth, we were resuming 
our journey; they all, with wives and 
children, accompanying us out of the city; 
and, kneeling down on the beach, having 
prayed, we bade one another farewell; 6 
and we emb^^rked upon the ship, but they 
returned to their homes. 

7 And, having finished the voyage from 
Tyre, we arrived at Ptolemais; and, hav- 
ing saluted the brethren, we abode with 
them one day. 8 And, on the morrow, 
going forth, we came to Caesar ea; and, en- 
tering into the house of Philip the evan- 
gelist, who was of the seven, we abode 
with him. 9 And this man had four 
daughters, virgins, who prophesied. 10 
And, as we tarried there several^ days, 
there came down from Judsea a certain 
prophet, Agabus by name. 11 And, com- 
ing to us, and taking Paul's girdle, bind- 
ing his own feet and hands, he said, 



1 Gr. More. 



NOTES ON CHAPTER XXI. 

1 Them; the Ephesian elders at Miletus. Cos; a small 
island near the south-west corner of Asia Minor. Shodes; 
an island not far from Cos. Patara; a seaport in the 
province of Lycia. 

2 Phatnicia; a country on the north horder of Canaan, 
of which Tyre and Sidon were the principal cities, (ch. 
11:19). 

3 Cyprus; an island in the north-east part of the Medi- 
terranean sea. (ch. 13:4). 

4 Who said to Paul through the Spirit; the Spirit re- 
vealed to them Paul's great peril in going to Jerusalem, 
and they tried to dissuade him from going there; though 
Paul had no command from the Spirit to desist from his 
purpose of going. 

7 Ptolemais ; a city south of Tyre, and near mount Car- 
mel, 

8 Ccesarea; a city further south, and about sixty miles 
from Jerusalem, Philip the evangelist; one of the seven 
deacons, (ch. 6:5, 6). An evangelist is a preacher of the 



" Thus saith the Holy Spirit, so shall the 
Jews in Jerusalem bind the man who owns 
this girdle, and shall deliver him up into the 
hands of the gentiles. 12 And, when we 
heard these things, both we and those of 
that place were beseeching him not to go 
up to Jerusalem. 13 Then Paul answered, 
"What are ye doing, weeping and crush- 
ing my heart? For I am ready, not only 
to be bound, but to die at Jerusalem, for 
the name of the Lord Jesus." 14 And, 
when he would not be persuaded, we were 
silent, saying, "The will of the Lord be 
done." 

15 And, after these days, having got- 
ten ready, we went up to Jerusalem. 16 
And there went with us also some of the 
disciples from Csesarea, bringing one 
Mnason of Cyprus, an aged^ disciple, with 
whom we should lodge. 17 And, when 
we came to Jerusalem, the brethren gladly 
received us. 18 And, on the following 
day, Paul went in with us to James; and 
all the elders were present. 19 And, hav- 
ing saluted them, he narrated, one by one, 
each of the things God wrought among 
the gentiles through his ministry. 20 
And they, hearing it, were glorifying 
God, an(i said to him, "You observe, 
brother, how many thousands'* there are 
among the Jews, of those who have be- 
lieved; and they are all zealous for the 
law. 21 And they were informed by re- 
port concerning you, that you teach all 
the Jews who are among the gentiles to 
forsake* Moses, telUng them not to cir- 



2 Or, early. 3 Gr. Myriads; or, tens of thousands, 
i Gr. An apostasy from Moses. 



Gospel who goes from place to place, preaching and estab- 
lishing assemblies. 

9 Prophesying; Philip's four daughters had the gift of 
prophecy— at least they had it in this one case. 

10 Agabus; ch. 11:28. 

11 Gentiles; meaning here the Romans. 

12 We; Paul's traveling companions; they: the dis- 
ciples at Cffisarea. 

13 lam ready; Paul was ready for bonds or for death, 
if he might but glorify Christ, It was no part of his de- 
sire to escape any lot that God might appoint for him. 

16 Mnason of Cyprus; a native of Cyprus, but now re- 
siding at Jerusalem; with whom Paul and his companions 



18 James: see note on ch. 12:17; 15:13. 

20 Zealous for the law; the Jews who were Christians 
were, as a general rule, scrupulous in the observance of 
the ceremonial law. 

21 To forsake Moses; meaning that they should cease 
to observe the ceremonial law, which God enjoined through 
Moses. 



ACTS 



199 



cumcise their children, nor to walk after 
the customs. 22 What is it, therefore? 
They will certainly hear that you have 
come. 23 Do this, therefore, which we 
say to you: we have four men who have a 
vow on them; 24 taldng these to yourself^ 
be purified with them, and incur expense 
for them, that they may shave their heads; 
and all will know that there is nothing in 
those things of which they have been in- 
structed concerning you; but that you 
yourself also are walking orderly, keeping 
the law. 25 But concerning the gentiles 
who have believed, we sent to them, hav- 
ing given judgment, that they should keep 
themselves from idol-sacrifices, and from 
blood, and from anything strangled, and 
from fornication." 

26 Then Paul, taking the men, on the 
next day, having been purified with them, 
was entering into the temple, announcing 
the fulfillment of the days of purification, 
until the offering should be offered for 
each one of them. 

27 And, when the seven days were about 
to be completed, the Jews from Asia, hav- 
ing beheld him in the temple, were stirring 
up all the multitude, and they laid their 
hands upon him, 28 crying out, "Men 
of Israel, help! This is the man who 
teaches all men everywhere against the 
people, and the law, and this place ! and, 
further, he brought Greeks also into the 
temple, and has defiled this holy place !" (29 
For they had previously seen with him in 
the city Trophimus, the Ephesian, whom 
they were supposing that Paul brought into 
the temple). 30 And all the city was moved, 
and there was a running together of the 
people; and, laying hold of Paul, they were 



dragging him out of the temple; and 
straightway the doors were shut. 

31 And, as they were seeking to kill 
him, a report came up to the chief captain^ 
of the band, that all Jervisalem was in con- 
fusion; 32 who, at once, taking with hmi 
soldiers and centurions, ran down upon 
them; and they, seeing the chief captain 
and the soldiers, ceased beating Paul. 33 
Then the chief captain, coming near, laid 
hold of him, and ordered that he be bound 
with two chains; and he was inquiring who 
he was, and what he had done. 34 And 
some shouted one thing, some another, 
among the crowd; and, when he could not 
ascertain the certainty because of the 
tumult, he ordered that he be brought into 
the castle. 35 And, when he came upon 
the stairway, it happened that he was 
borne along by the soldiers on account of 
the violence of the multitude; 36 for the 
throng of the people was following after, 
crying out, "Away with him ! " 

37 And, when about to be led into the 
castle, Paul says to the chief captain, 
"May I say something to you?" And he 
said, "Do you know Greek? 38 Are you 
not, then, the Egyptian who, before these 
days, caused a revolt, and led out into the 
wilderness the four thousand men of the 
Assassins?" 39 But Paul said, "lam a 
Jew, of Tarsus in Cilicia, a citizen of no 
mean city; and I beseech you, permit me 
to speak to the people." 40 And, when 
he gave him permission, Paul, standing on 
the stairs, beckoned with his hand to the 
people; and, when there was great silence, 
he spake to them in the Hebrew language, 
saying: 



5 Gr. Chiliarch. 



34 Be puriMed with, them; Num. 6:1-20. Incur expense 
for them; by fumlsliiiig the money for the offerings neces- 
sary in such, cases, Shave their heads; which, during the 
continuance of their vow, had been suffered to grow ; hut, 
when it was cut, it showed that they were released from 
their vow, (ch, 18:18). 

27 Seven days; the time the vow was to last. 

28 Greeks; gentiles, who were forbidden to enter that 
part of the temple, lest they should defile it. 

29 Trophimus; who had come with Paul from Ephesus, 
(ch. 20:4). Were supposing; inferring, from the fact that 
they had seen Trophimus with Paul in Jerusalem. 

32 Chief captain; the Roman oflcer in command of the 
military forces in Jerusalem. 



33 Bound with two chains; thus fulfilling the prophecy 
in V. 11. 

34 The castle; the fortress of Antonia. where the Roman 
soldiers were stationed. 

35 The stairway; leading into the castle. 

38 That Egyptian; this Egyptian is referred to by Jo- 
sephus, (Antiq., Book XX, ch. 8, sec. 6). 

39 Tarsus; Paul's natal city, (ch. 9:11). ii'o obscure 
city; Augustus Caesar had made Tarsus a free city, releas- 
ing the people from tribute, and suffering them to be gov- 
erned by their own laws. 

40 The Hebrew language; as it was spoken among the 
Jews at that time. 



CHAPTEK XXn. 

1 "Brethren and fathers, hear my de 
fense which I now m^^g to you." 2 And, 



hearing that he was speaking to them in 
the Hebrew language, they kept more 
quiet; 3 and he says, "I am a Jew, born 



200 



ACTS 



in Tarsus of Cilicia, but brought up in 
this city at the feet of Gramaliel, having 
been trained according to the exactness of 
the ancestral law, being zealous for God, 
even as ye all are to-day; 4 and I perse- 
cuted this Way unto death, binding and 
delivering into prisons both men and 
women; 6 as also the high priest testi- 
fies for me, and all the eldership; from 
whom, having received letters, I was jour- 
neying to Damascus, intending to bring 
those also who were there bound to Jeru- 
salem, that they might be punished. 6 
And it came to pass, that, as I was jour- 
neying, and was drawing nigh to the city, 
about midday, there suddenly flashed 
around me a great light out of the heaven; 
7 and I fell to the ground, and heard a 
voice saying to me, ' Saul, Saul, why do 
you persecute Me?' 8 And I answered, 
'Who art Thou, Lord?' And He said to 
me, 'I am Jesus, the Nazarene, Whom 
you are persecuting.' 9 And those who 
were with me beheld, indeed, the light, 



he said, 'The God of our fathers appointed 
you to know His will, and to see the 
Righteous One, and to hear a voice out of 
His mouth; 15 because you shall be a 
witness for Him, to all men, of what you 
have seen, and heard. 16 And now why 
do you delay? Arising, be immersed, and 
wash away your sins, calling on His name.' 

17 And it came to pass when I returned 
to Jerusalem, and while I was praying in 
the temple, that I came to be in a trance; 

18 and saw Him, saying to me, ' Make 
haste, and go forth quickly out of Jerusa- 
lem; because they will not receive your 
testimony concerning Me.' 19 And I said, 
'Lord, they themselves understand that I 
was imprisoning and beating, throughout 
the synagogues, those believing on Thee; 
20 and, when the blood of Stephen, Thy 
witness, was poured forth, I myself also 
was standing by, and approving, and 
guarding the garments of those who slew 
him. 21 And He said to me. Depart, be- 
cause I will send you far hence to the 



but they did not understand^ the voice of jgentiles.'" 

Him Who spake to me. 10 And I said, 22 Now they were listening to him up 

'What shall I do. Lord?' And the Lord to .this word, and they lifted up their 



said to me, 'Arising, go into Damascus, 
and there it shall be told you concerning 
all things which have been arranged for 
you to do.' 11 And, as I could not see 
for the glory of that light, being led by 
the hand by those accompanying me, I 
came into Damascus. 12 And one Ana- 
nias, a devout man according to the law, 
well spoken of by all the resident Jews, 
13 coming to me, and standing by, said to 
me, 'Brother Saul, lookup.'^ And I, in 
that very hour, looked up on him. 14 And 



voice, saymg, ' Away with such a one 
from the earth; for it is not fit that he 
should live!" 23 And, as they were cry- 
ing out, and throwing off tlieir garments, 
and casting dust into the air, 24 the chief 
captain gav-e orders that he should be 
brought into the castle,' saying that he 
should be examined by scourges, that he 
might fully know for what cause they 
were thus clamoring against him. 25 
And, as they stretched him out for the 
thongs, Paul said to the centurion stand- 



1 Gr. Sear. 2 Or, receive sight. 



3 Or. barracks. 



NOTES ON CHAPTER XXII. 

3 Tarsus; ch. 21:39. This city; Jerusalem. Gamaliel; 
a distinguished Jewish, teacher. 

4 This Way; the Way of salvation through the Gospel. 

5 Sanhedrin; the national council of the Jews. 
6-13 Paul's conversion; see ch. 9:3-18. 

9 Bid not understand; by comparing ch. 9:7, we gather 
that Paul's companions saw the light.'and heard the voice, 
but did not understand what was said. 

10 Arranged for you to do; God had a program for 
Paul's life, and Ananias was appointed by God to induct 
him into his work. 

13 Lookup; about equivalent here to commanding him 
to see, or to receive his vision. 

16 Wash away your sins; symbolically. Paul's sins 
were really cancelled when he believed on Christ, and be- 
gan to follow Him; now let that be done in outward sym- 
bol, which has already taken place in fact. 

18 San; Christ. 



19 They knew that I was imprisoning; Paul thought that 
their knowledge of his former bitterness towards believ- 
ers would dispose them to listen to him now in his advo- 
cacy of the claims of Christ; but in this he was mistaken. 

20 Stephen; ch. 7:58; 8:1. 

22 Up to this word: that God would send him to the 
gentiles. The Jews were indignant at the thought that 
the gentiles should be admitted to equal privileges with 
themselves. 

23 Casting dust into the air; to indicate their great ab- 
horrence and Indignation. 

24 Se should be examined by scourges; a Roman method 
of torturing men to make them confess their crimes. 
That he might know; had the chief captain understood the 
Hebrewlanguage, he could have caught some idea of the 
Jewish hatred to Paul, and the cause of it. 

25- 'Sf retched him out for the thongs; getting him into a 
suitable position to be scourged with the thongs. A 
Roman; a Roman citizen. Paul did not claim to be a. 
Roman, but a citizen of the Roman government. 



ACTS 



201 



ing by, "Is it lawful for you to scourge a 
man, who is a Roman, anduncondemned?" 
26 And the centurion, hearing ?Y, going to 
the chief captain, reported it, saying, 
"What are you about to do? For this 
man is a Roman ! " 27 And the chief cap- 
tain, going forward, said to him, "Tell 
me, are you a Roman?" And he said, 
"Yes." 28 And the chief captain an- 
swered, "I, for a great sum, acquired this 
citizenship." And Paul said, "But I have 
been born a citizen.'''' 



28 For a great sum; Roman citizenship was purchasa- 
ble -with money, or was bestowed for distinguished serv- 
ices to the g-overnment, or it might, in certain cases, be 
inherited. 

29 Was struck with fear; because, in binding Paul, a 
Roman citizen unoondemned, he had violated the Roman 



29 Straightway, therefore, those who 
were about to examine him departed from 
him; and the chief captain also was struck 
with fear, having ascertained that he was 
a Roman, and because he had bound him. 

30 And, on the morrow, wishing to 
know the certainty, wherefore he was ac- 
cused by the Jews, he released him, and 
gave orders that the chief priests and all 
the Sanhedrin should assemble together; 
and, bringing Paul down, he set him 
among them. 



law, and was liable to severe punishment. There was noth- 
ing to fear from Paul ; for he never sought personal redress. 
30 The chief captain's curiosity and perhaps also his 
fear led him to bring Paul before the Jewish Sanhedrin, 
that he might know the exact nature of the charges 
against the prisoner. 



CHAPTER XXIII. 



PAUL EEBUKES THE HIGH PRIEST, DIVIDES 
THE COUNCIL, AND IS SENT BACK TO THE 



1 And Paul, looking intently on the San- 
hedrin, said, "Brethren, I have lived' in 
all good conscience before God until this 
day." 2 And the high priest, Ananias, 
commanded those who stood by, to smite 
him on the mouth. 3 Then Paul said to 
him, "God is about to smite you — ^.you 
whited wall ! And do you sit judging me 
according to the law, and, in violation of 
law, command me to be smitten ? " 4 And 
those standing by said, "Do you revile 
God's high priest? " 5 And Paul said, "I 
knew not, brethren, that he was high 
priest; for it has been written, 'You shall 
not speak evil of a ruler of your people.'" 

6 And Paul, perceiving that the one part 
was of the Sadducees, and the other of the 
Pharisees, was crying out in the Sanhedrin, 
"Brethren, I am a Pharisee, a son of Phar- 
isees; concerning the hope and resurrection 
from the dead, I am being judged." 1 And, 
when he said this, there arose a dissension 
of the Pharisees and Sadducees; and the 
multitude was divided. 8 For the Saddu- 
cees say that there is no resurrection, nor 



angel, nor spirit; but the Pharisees ac- 
knowledge both. 9 And there arose a 
great clamor, and some of the scribes of 
the party of the Pharisees, rising up, were 
fiercely contending, saying, "We find no 
evil in this man; but, if a spirit spake to 
him, or an angel — ." 

10 And, when a great dissension was 
arising, the chief captain, fearing lest Paul 
might be torn in pieces by them, com- 
manded the soldiers,^ going down, to take 
him by force out of their midst, and lead 
him into the castle. 

Paul's lite being imperiled, he is sent 
to c^sarea to felix. 

11 And, on the following night, the Lord, 
standing by him, said, "Be of good cour- 
age; for, as you fully testified as to the 
things concerning Me at Jerusalem, so you 
must testify at Rome also." 

12 And, when it was day, the Jeios, mak- 
ing a conspiracy, bound themselves under 
a curse, saying that they would neither 
eat nor drink, till they had killed Paul. 13 
And there were more than forty, who made 
this conspiracy; 14 who, indeed, going- 
to the high priests and elders, said, "We 
bound ourselves under a curse to taste of 
nothing until we kill Paul. 1.5 Now, there- 



1 Gr. Lived as a citizen. 

NOTES ON CHAPTER XXIII. 

2 Smite Mm on the mouth; to indicate that Paul had 
spoken falsely. 

3 You whited wall; you hypocrite. 

5 I knew not; Paul was not aware that Ananias was at 
that time high priest. 7t has been written; Ex. 22 :28. 

6 lama Pharisee; Paul agreed with the Pharisees in 



2 Gr. Army. 

the belief that the soul lives after death, that there are 
spirits, and a resurrection ; and thus far he was a Pharisee. 

9 If a spirit spake to him, or an angel; here the thought 
is incomplete, requiring some such addition as appears in 
the common version, "Let us not fight against God." 

12 Curse; a solemn oath imprecating the divine wrath 
upon them, if they should cat or drink before killing Paul. 



202 



ACTS 



fore, do ye with the Sanhedrin signify to 
the chief captain that he bring him down 
to you, as if ye would ascertain more ex- 
actly the things concerning him; and we 
before he comes near, are ready to kill 
him. 

. 16 And the son of Paul's sister, hearing 
of their lying in wait, going and entering 
into the castle, reported it to Paul. 17 
And Paul, calling to himself one of the 
centurions, said, "Bring this young man 
to the chief captain; for he has something 
to tell him." 18 So he, taking him with 
him., conducted him to the chief captain, 
and said, "Paul, the prisoner, calling me 
to him, asked me to bring this young man 
to you, as he has something to say to you." 
19 And the chief captain, taking hold of 
his hand, and going aside privately, was 
asking him, "What is it that you have to 
tell me?" 20 And he said, "The Jews 
agreed to ask you, that to-morrow you 
would bring Paul down into the Sanhedrin, 
as if they would inquire somewhat more 
exactly concerning him. 21 Be not, there- 
fore, persuaded by them; for more than 
forty men of them are lying in wait for 
him; who, indeed, bound themselves under 
a curse, neither to eat nor drink, till they 
should kill him; and now they are ready, 
expecting the promise from you." 22 The 
chief captain, therefore, dismissed the 
young man, charging him, ' 'Tell no one 
that you have shown these things to me," 
23 And, calling to him two of the centur- 
ions, he said, "Make ready two hundred 
soldiers, that they may go as far as CsBsa- 



rea; and seventy horsemen, and two hun- 
dred spearmen, at the third hour of the 
night; 24 to provide beasts also, that, 
putting Paul thereon, they may bring him 
safely through to Felix the governor;" 
25 writing a letter after this form : 26 
"Claudias Lysias to the most excellent 
governor, Felix, Greeting: 27 This man 
having been arrested by the Jews, and be- 
ing about to be killed by them, I, going 
down with the army,^ rescued; having 
heard that he was a Eoman. 28 And, 
wishing to know clearly the cause for 
which they were accusing him, I led him 
down into their Sanhedrin; 29 whom I 
found to he accused, concerning their law, 
but having no accusation worthy of death 
or of bonds. 30 And, a plot that was about 
to be against the man having been discov- 
ered to me, I immediately sent him to you, 
charging the accusers to speak against him 
before you." 

31 The soldiers, therefore, according to 
what had been commanded them, taking 
up Paul, brought him by night to Antipa- 
tris; 32 but, on the morrow, they returned 
to the castle, leaving the horsemen to go 
with him; 33 who, indeed, coming to 
Csesarea, and delivering the letter to the 
governor, presented Paul also before him. 
34 And, having read it, he asked of what 
province he was. And, learning that he 
was from Cilicia, 35 "I will hear you 
fully," he said, "when your accusers also 
arrive;" giving orders, that he should be 
kept under guard in Herod's palace.* 



A company of soldiers, i Or. prcetorium. 



23 The third hour; nine o'clock at night. 

24 Felix; once a slave of Antonia, the mother of Claud- 
ius Caesar, the Roman emperor, but was freed, and became 
governor of Judsa, 



Antipatris; a town about forty miles from Jerusa- 
lem, on the way to Csesarea. 
35 Herod's palace; or Latin praetorium, the palace of a 
. or a general's tent. 



CHAPTEE XXIV. 

TELIX HEARS PAUL's CASE; TAU£S WITH 
HIM FREQUENTLY, BUT DOES NOT RE- 
LEASE HIM. 

1 And, after five days, the high priest 
Ananias came down with certain elders, 
and a certain orator, Tertullus; who, in- 
deed, informed the governor against Paul. 
2 And, he having heen called, Tertullus 



began to accuse him, saying, ' ' Seeing that, 
through you, we enjoy great peace, and 
reforms accrue to this nation through 
your forethought, in every way and every- 
where; we welcome it, most excellent 
Felix, with all thankfulness. 

4 "But, that I detain you no longer, I 
pray you to hear us briefly in your clem- 
ency. 6 For, finding this man a plague. 



NOTES ON CHAPTER XXIV. 

1 Tertullus; a lawyer employed to prosecute Paul. 

5 The three main charges against Paul were— 1. that he 
was a plague, or pest; 2. that he was a universal agitator 
among the Jews; and, 3. that he was the ring-leader among 



the Nazarenes. There was a fourth subordinate charge 
that he desecrated the Jewish temple. The first three 
charges were meant to bring upon Paul the condemnation 
of the Roman government; and the fourth was calculated 
to prejudice the Jews against him. But none of these 
charges were proved. 



ACTS 



and stirring up insurrections among the 
Jews throughout the inhabited earthy and 
a ring-leader of the sect of the Nazarenes; 
6 who also attempted to desecrate the 
temple; whom also we seized. — [7 But 
the chief captain Lysias came, and with 
great violence took him away out of our 
hands, commanding his accusers to come 
before you;]* 8 from whom you will be 
able, after having examined him yourself, 
to obtain full knowledge of all these things 
of which we accuse him." 9 And the 
Jews also assented, affirming that these 
things were so. 

10 And Paul answered, the governor 
having beckoned to him to speak: "Know- 
ing that you, for many years, have been a 
judge to this nation, cheerfully do I make 
defense as to the things concerning my- 
self; 11 since you are able clearly to know 
that there are not more than twelve days 
since I went up to Jerusalem to worship; 
12 and neither in the temple did they find 
me disputing with any one, or causing a 
stirring up of a multitude, nor in the syn- 
agogues, nor in the city; 13 nor are they 
able to prove to you the things of which 
they are now accusing me. 14 But I con- 
fess this to you, that, according to the 
Way which they call ' heresy, ' so I worship 
the God of our fathers, believing all those 
things, which are according to the law, 
and which have been written in the proph- 
ets; 15 having hope toward God — which 
these themselves also are looking for — 
that there will be a resurrection, both of 
the righteous and unrighteous. 16 In 
this I myself also am striving always to 
have a conscience void of offense toward 



* The words in brackets are wanting in many Mss. 

7 ivsias; ch. 21:31-40; 23:26-30. 

14 Heresy; the word means rather a sect, or a schismatic 
-party. 

15 Having hope; that there will be a resurrection. 

18 Pitri./ie(J; according to the Mosaic law, (ch. 21:26-28). 

23 Knowing more accurately; gathering, from Paul's 
speech, a more accurate knowledge of what they were talk- 
ing about; or, possibly, the thought is that, after having 
heard Lysias, he would know more about the matter in 
hand, and would then be better able to pass judgment in 
the case. In this event, the translation should run thus, 
" After having learned more accurately," etc. 

24 Drusilla; daughter of the first Herod Agrippa. She 
■was married to Azizus, king of Emesa; but she afterwards 
left him. and became the wife of Felix. 

25 Righteousness; right-doing towards God and man. 



God and men. 17 Now, after many years, 
I came to bring alms to my nation, and 
offerings; 18 amidst which they found 
me purified in the temple, neither with a 
multitude, nor with a tumult; but there 
were certain Jews from Asia, 19 who 
ought to be present before you and accuse 
me, if they have anything against me. 20 
Or let these themselves say what wrong 
they found in me when standing before 
the Sanhedrin, 21 except concerning this 
one voice with which I cried aloud, stand- 
ing among them, ' Concerning a resurrec- 
tion of the dead I am being judged before 
you this day.' " 

22 But Felix put them off, knowing 
more accurately the things concerning the 
Way, saying, "When Lysias the chief 
captain comes down, I will determine 
your matters;" 23 giving orders to the 
centurion that he should be held, and 
should have indulgence, and to prevent 
none of his friends from ministering to 
him. 

24 And, after some days, Felix, having 
come with his wife Drusilla, who was a 
Jewess, sent for Paul, and heard him con- 
cerning the faith in Christ Jesus. 25 
And, as he was reasoning about righteous- 
ness, continence, and the judgment to 
come, Felix, becoming terrified, answered, 
"Go your way for the present; and, when 
I obtain a suitable opportunity, I will call 
for you;" 26 at the same time also hop- 
ing that money would be given to him by 
Paul; wherefore, also, sending for him 
more frequently, he conversed with him. 
27 But, when two years were completed, 
Felix received a successor, Porcius Fes- 
tus; and, wishing to gain favor with the 
Jews, Felix left Paul bound. 

Continence; the proper regulation of the appetites and 
passions. Jttdgmentfo come/ ch. 17:31; Kev. 20:11-15. Be- 
coming terrified; at his sins in view of the coming judg- 
ment. When I obtain opportunity; an opportunity for 
further considering the point brought out in Paul's defense. 
But it does not appear that another opportunity was ever 
given him. 

26 Hoping that money would he given to him by Paul; 
no marvel that such a man was deemed unworthy of an- 
other opportunity! 

27 Wishing to confer a favor upon the Jews; and thereby 
to win popularity for himself. Left Paul bound; bound as 
a prisoner, though justice required that he should have 
been released. Failing to make money out of his prisoner, 
he overrode all considerations of justice, that he might 
conciliate the favor of the Jews. 



204 



ACTS 



CHAPTER XXV. 



FESTU8 WISHING PAUL TO GO TO JERUSA- 
LEM, HE APPEALS TO CiESAR. 

1 Festus, therefore, having come to the 
province, after three days went up to Je- 
rusalem from Csesarea; 2 and the high 
priests and chief men of the Jews informed 
him against Paul, and were beseeching 
him, 3 asking it as a favor against him, 
that he would send for him to .Jerusalem, 
making an ambush, to kill him on the 
way. 4 Festus, therefore, answered, that 
Paul was held at Csesarea, and that he 
himself was about shortly to go out thither. 
5 "Let those, therefore, among you," 
said he, who are able, going down with 
me, accuse him, if there is anything amiss 
in him. 

6 And, having spent among them not 
more than eight or ten days, he went down 
to Cfesarea; and, on the morrow, sitting 
on the judgment-seat, he ordered Paul to 
be brought. 7 And, when he presented 
himself, the Jews who came down from 
Jerusalem stood around him, bringing 
many and grievous charges, which they 
were not able to prove; 8 Paul saying in 
his defense, "Neither against the law of 
the Jews, nor against the temple, nor 
against Cassar, did I commit any sin." 

9 But Festus, wishing to gain favor 
with the Jews, said to Paul, "Are you 
willing, having gone up to Jerusalem, to 
be judged there concerning these things 
before me?" 10 And Paul said, "I am 
standing at Caesar's judgment-seat, where 
I ought to be judged. To the Jews I have 
done no wrong, as you also very well 
know. 11 If, therefore, I am a wrong- 
doer, and have perpetrated anything wor- 
thy of death, I refuse not to die; but, if 
there is nothing in the things of which 
these accuse me, no one can deliver me as 
a favor to them. I appeal to Csesar." 12 



Then Festus, having consulted with the 
council, answered, "To Caesar you have 
appealed; to Caesar you shall go." 

KING AGRIPPA HEARS PAUL. 

13 And, some days having elapsed, 
Agrippa the king, and Bernice, came to 
Caesarea to salute Festus. 14 And, as 
they were spending several^ days there, 
Festus laid before the king the things re- 
lating to Paul, saying, "There is a certain 
man left a prisoner by Felix; concerning 
whom, when I was at Jerusalem, the high 
priests and elders of the Jews gave infor- 
mation, asking for sentence against him: 
16 to whom I made answer, ' It is not a 
custom with Eomans to grant as a favor 
any man, before the accused has the ac- 
cuser face to face, and has opportunity to 
answer for himself concerning the charge 
laid against him. 17 When, therefore, 
they came together here, I, making no 
delay, the next day, sitting on the judg- 
ment-seat, ordered the man to be brought; 
18 concerning whom, the accusers, stand- 
ing up, were bringing no accusation of 
evils such as I was supposing; 19 but 
certain questions concerning their peculiar 
religion they had against him, and con- 
cerning a certain Jesus, who was dead, 
whom Paul affirmed to be alive. 20 And, 
being perplexed in regard to the inquiry 
concerning these things, I asked whether 
he was willing to go to Jerusalem, and 
there be judged concerning these things. 
21 But, as Paul appealed to be held for 
the decision of Augustus, I ordered, that 
he be held, until I should send him up to 
C^sar.'" 

22 And Agrippa said to Festus, "I my- 
self also was wishing to hear the man." 
"To-morrow," said he, "you shall hear 
him." 



NOTES ON CHAPTER XXV. 

10 CcBsar's judgment-seat; the Roman tribunal, before 
which Paul then stood. 

11 I appeal to Ccesar; I prefer to go to Rome, and he 
tried before the emperor. This was his right as a Roman 
citizen. No onecan.daivermeasafavortotliem; noteven 
Festus had a right to override Paul's choice as to the tri- 
bunal before which he would be tried. And to abandon Paul, 
as a favor to the wrath of the Jews, was something that 
the king dared not do. 

12 Festus, consultina with the council; with his legal ad 
visers. 



Gr. More. 



13 Agr-ippa; Herod Agrippa, son of the Herod mentioned 
inch. 12:1, and a great grand-son of Herod the Great in 
whose reign Christ was born. Bernice; Agrippa's sister. 
She first married her uncle, the king of Chalcis, and then 
Polemon, king of Cilicia, whom she deserted to live with 
her brother, Felix Agrinpa. To sahite Festus; to congrat- 
ulate him on his promotion to the throne. 

20 Being perplexed; as to how such questions should be 
disposed of, or what he should do in the premises. 

21 'Augustus; the Greek Sehaetos, meaning revered, is 
equivalent to the Latin Augustus. Augustus and Caesar 
were used as terms of ofBoe; each meaning the Roman 
emperor. At this time Nero was emperor of Rome. 



ACTS 



205 



PAUL, BEFORE AGKIPPA. 



23 On the morrow, therefore, Agrippa 
and Bernice having come with great dis- 
play; and, having entered into the audi- 
ence-chamber, with both the chief cap- 
tains and the principal men of the city, 
Festus having ordered it, Paul was brought. 
24 And Festus says, "King Agrippa, and 
all men who are here present with us, ye 
behold this man, concerning whom all the 
multitude of the Jews interceded with me, 
both in Jerusalem and here, crying out 



that it was not proper that he should live 
any longer. 25 But I found that he com- 
mitted nothing worthy of death; and, as 
he himself appealed to Augustus, I deci- 
ded to send him : 26 concerning whom I 
have nothing certain to write to my lord. 
Wherefore, I brought him forth before 
you, and especially before you. King 
Agrippa, in order that, when the exam- 
ination has taken place, I may have some- 
thing to write; 27 for it seems to me un- 
reasonable, in sending a prisoner, not to 
signify also the charges against him." 



CHAPTEE XXVI. 

PAUL MAKES HIS DEFENSE. 

1 And Agrippa said to Paul, "You are 
permitted to speak in your own behalf." 

Then Paul, stretching forth his hand, 
was making his defense: 2 "I deem my- 
self happy. King Agrippa, that I am about 
this day to make my desense before you, 
concerning all things of which I am being 
accused by Jews; 3 especially since you 
are an expert in all matters relating to 
Jews, both in customs and questions. 
Wherefore, I beseech you to hear me pa- 
tiently. 4 My manner of life, therefore, 
from my youth, which from the first was 
among my own nation and at Jerusalem, 
know all the Jews; 5 having known me 
from the beginning, if they were willing to 
testify, that according to the strictest sect 
of our religion I lived a Pharisee. 6 And 
now, for the hope of the promise made by 
God to our fathers, I have taken my stand 
to be judged; 1 unio v^hxch. promise our 
twelve-tribed nation, earnestly serving 
day and night, is hoping to attain; con- 
cerning which hope, O King, I am being 
accused by Jews. 8 Why is it judged in- 
credible with you, if God doth raise the 
dead? 9 I, indeed, therefore, imagined 
to myself that it was proper that I should 



do many things contrary to the name of 
Jesus, the Nazarene; 10 which also I did 
in Jerusalem; and many of the saints also 
did I shut up in prison, having received 
authority from the high priests; and, when 
they were being put to death, I have given 
a vote against them; 11 and, punishing 
them often throughout all the synagogues, 
I was compelling them to blaspheme; and, 
being exceedingly enraged against them, 
I was persecuting themj even unto foreign 
cities. 12 Meanwhile as I was journeying 
to Damascus, with authority and a com- 
mission from the high priests, 13 at mid- 
day, O King, I saw, in the way, a light 
from Heaven above the brightness of the 
sun, shining round about me and those 
journeying with me. 14 And, we all hav- 
ing fallen to the earth, I heard a voice say- 
ing to me in the Hebrew language, 'Saul! 
Saul! why are you persecuting Me? It is 
hard for you to kick against the goads.' 
15 And I said, 'Who art Thou, Lord?' 
And the Lord said, 'lam Jesus, Whom 
you are persecuting. 16 But arise, and 
stand upon your feet; for I appeared to 
you for this end, to appoint you a min- 
ister and a witness both of the things in 
which you saw Me, and of the things in 
which I will appear to you; 17 deliver- 
ing you from the people and the gentiles. 



NOTES ON CHAPTER XXVI. 

2 By Jews; here, as in v. 21, the article Is omitted with 
good effect, as otherwise it would indicate that the Jews 
generally were against him. 

3 An expert in all matters relatina to the Jews; Agrippa 
was of Idumsean descent, and his family had adopted the 
Jewish faith. Hence Paul's confidence in addressing him, 
as one who knew Jewish customs, etc. 

4 At Jerusalem; though Paul was horn in Tarsus, he 
was, when quite young, carried to Jerusalem, where he was 
brought up, (ch, 22:3). 

6 Hope of the promise; the promise of the Messiah, 

7 Hope to attain; hope to realize the promise relating 
to the Messiah. 



limaained to myself; Paul was sincere in his perse- 
cution of Christians, but this did not make him guiltless. 
His wrong was in his heart. Had he been humble, candid, 
and teachable, the evidence which Christ gave of His Mes- 
siahship would have certainly convinced him. Contrary 
to the name; in opposition to the teachings and to the fol- 
lowers of Christ. 

11 I was compelling; did all he could to compel them. 
To Haspheme; to deny Christ. 

12 Among which things; while engaged in these persecu- 
tions, (ch. 9:1-6). 

17 From the people; meanins itiB SBVis. I send you; ch. 
22:21. 



206 



ACTS 



to whom I send you, 18 to open their 
eyes, that they may turn from darkness to 
light, and from the dominion of Satan to 
God, that they may receive remission of 
sins, and an inheritance among those who 
have been sanctified by faith in Me.' 19 
Wherefore, O King Agrippa, I was not 
disobedient to the heavenly vision; 20 
but I declared both to those in Damascus 
first, and in Jerusalem, and through all 
the region of Judpea, and to the gentiles, 
that they should repent and turn to God, 
doing works worthy of repentance. 21 
On account of these things, Jews, seizing 
me in the temple, were attempting to kill 
me. 22 Having, therefore, obtained help 
from God, I have stood to this day, testi- 
fying both to small and great, saying 
nothing, except those things which both 
the prophets and Moses said would come 
to pass; 23 that the Christ was destined 
to suffer; that He, first out of a resurrec- 
tion of the dead, is destined to declare 
light both to the people and to the gen- 
tiles." 

24 And, as he was saying these things 
in defense, Festus says with a loud voice. 



"Paul, you are mad! your much learning 
is turning you mad!" 25 But Paul says, 
'"I am not mad, most noble Festus; but I 
utter words of truth and soberness. 26 
For the king knows well concerning these 
things, to whom also I speak boldly;'^ for 
I am persuaded that no one of these things 
is hidden from him; for this has not been 
done in a corner. 27 King Agrippa, do 
you believe the prophets? I know that 
you believe." 28 And Agrippa said to 
Paul, "In a small degree you are persuad- 
ing me to make a Christian!" 29 And 
Paul said, "I could pray God, that, both 
in 'a small degree and in a great degree^ 
not only you, but also all who hear me 
this day, may become such as I am, ex- 
cept these chains! " 

30 And the king rose up, and the gov- 
ernor, and Bernice, and those who sat 
with them; 31 and, having withdrawn, 
they were talking one to another, saying. 

This man does nothing worthy of death 
or of bonds." 32 And Agrippa said to 
Festus, "This man could have been set at 
liberty, had he not appealed to Caesar." 



2 Gr. XJsino freedom of utterance. 



18 To open their eyes; enlig-hten their minds. From 
darkness to light; from the darkness of heathenism to the 
light of the Gospel. From the dominion of Satan: all men 
are under the dominion of Satan, except those who have 
turned to God by accepting His Son as the Savior. 

20 Damascus first; Paul began his ministry in Damas- 
cus, (ch. 9:19-23). Worthy of repentance; such as true re- 
I)entance produces. 

22 Small and great; all classes of people. Saying 
nothing; except what the prophets had taught, (Isa. 53:3- 
9; Ps. 16:10; Isa. 9:1, 2, etc.). 

26 In a corner; Christ's mission, death, and resurrec- 
tion, were public events. 

27 Do youlielievethe prophets; Paul appeals to Agrippa 
as a Jew, who avowedly received the Old Testament Scrip- 
tures as God's word. 



28, 29 In a smal'i degree; somewhat. It is difficult to see 
how the Greek can be made to mean ' ' almost. "If we con- 
sider it as meaninsr "with little effort.'' we then have 
Agrippa confessing, without reserve, that Paul has per- 
suaded him to make a Christian of himself— which the 
facts do not sustain. It seems unnatural to interpret the 
phrase as referring to the nature of the effort that Paul 
made on this occasion; butitappears to refer to the effect 
the speech had upon Agrippa. It did not wholly influence 
him to make a Christian of himself; but Agrippa con- 
fessed to an influence in this direction. Then Paul's an- 
swer in V. 29 comes in naturally, "I eould pray God, that, 
both in a small degree and a great degree "—that is, alto- 
gether, you and all present, might be as I am— whole- 
hearted Christians— less these chains. 



CHAPTEE XXVII. 
Paul's voyage and shipweeck. 
1 And, when it was decided that we 
should sail to Italy, they delivered Paul 
and some other prisoners to a centurion, 
Julius by name, of the Augustan band. 2 
And, embarking upon a ship of Adramyt- 
tium, about to sail along the coasts of Asia, 
we put to sea, Aristarchus, a Macedonian 



of Thessalonica, being with us. 3 And the 
next day we landed at Sidon. And Julius, 
treating Paul humanely, gave him permis- 
sion to go to his friends to receive their 
attention. 4 And, thence putting out to 
sea, we sailed under ^ Cyprus, because the 
winds were contrary. 5 And, sailing over 
the sea which is off Cilicia and Pamphylia, 



1 Or, under the lee of. or on the south side. 



NOTES ON CHAPTER XXVII. 

1 We; Paul, Luke, and others, Italy; a country In the 
south of Europe, between the Adriatic and Mediterranean 
seas; of which country Rome was the capital, 

2 Adramyttium, or Adramyttinum : a seaport of Mysia 
in the northern part of Asia Minor. Aristarchus; chs. 19: 
39; 20:4. 



Sidon; a city north of Cffisarea, from which Paul 
sailed. 

4 Under Cyprus; along its northern coast, between the 
island and the mainland, to avoid the force of the winds, 
which were contrary. 

5 Cilicia and Pamphylia; Roman provinces in Asia Mi- 
nor; the former lying opposite Cyprus; and Pamphylia 
was the next province west. 



ACTS 



207 



we came to Myra, a city of Cilicia. G 
And there the centurion, finding an Alex- 
andrian siiip sailing to Italy, put us on 
board of it. 

7 And, sailing slowly many days, and 
with difficulty having come over against 
Cnidus, the wind not permitting us to ap- 
proach, we sailed under ** Crete, overagainst 
Salmone; 8 and, coasting along it with 
difficulty, we came to a certain place called 
Fair Havens, near which was a city — La- 
sea. 9 And much time having been spent, 
and sailing being already dangerous, be- 
cause also the fast had already gone by, 
Paul was admonishing them^ 10 saying, 
"Men 1 1 perceive that the voyage is likely 
to be with violence and much loss, not only 
of the cargo and the ship, but also of our 
lives. 11 But the centurion believed the 
pilot and the owner of the ship, more than 
the things spoken by Paul. 12 And, be- 
cause the harbor was incommodious to 
winter in, the greater part advised to de- 
part thence, if by any means, having 
reached Phoenix, a harbor of Crete — look- 
ing toward the south-west^ and north-west 
— we might be able to winter there. 

13 And, when the south wind was blow- 
ing gently, supposing that they had ob- 
tained their purpose, lifting (mchor^ they 
were coasting nearer to Crete. 14 But, 
not long after, there beat down upon it a 
tempestuous wind, which is called Euroc- 
lydon. 15 And, the ship being caught, 
and unable to face the wind, yielding to it. 



we were borne along. 16 And, running 
under a certain small island, called Clauda, 
we were with difficulty able to secure the 
boat; 17 which having taken up, they 
were using helps, undergirding the ship; 
and, fearing lest they should fall into the 
quicksands, lowering the sail,* so they were 
borne along. 

18 And, we being violently tempest- 
tossed, the next day they were making an 
overthrow of the cargo; 19 and, on the 
third day, with their own hands, they cast 
out the rigging of the ship. 20 And, when 
neither sun nor stars appeared to us for 
many days, and no small tempest was 
pressing upon ««, henceforth all hope that 
we should be saved was being utterly taken, 
away. 

21 And, after long abstinence fo^orn 
food, then Paul, standing up in the midst 
of them, said, "Ye ought, indeed, O men, 
hearkening to me, not to have set sail from 
Crete, and to have incurred this violence 
and loss. 22 And, as to the present things, 
I exhort you to be of good cheer; for there 
will be no loss of soul^ among you, but 
only of the ship. 23 For there stood by 
me this night an angel of the God Whose 
I am, and Whom I serve, 24 saying, 
'Fear not, Paul; it is necessary that you 
should stand before Caesar, and, behold, 
God has granted to you as a foivor all those 
sailing with you.' 25 Wherefore, men, 
be of good cheer; for I believe God, that 
it will be even so as it has been told me. 



2 Or. under the lee of. 3 Or, north-east and south-west. 



i Or. tackling. 5 Or. life. 



6 Alexandria; a city of Egypt. 

7 Cnidus; a town in the province of Caria ; the province 
of Lycia lying between Pamphylia and Caria. going west. 
Under Crete; near the island of Crete. Salmone; the east- 
ern extremity of Crete. 

8 Fair Havens; on the southern side of Crete, about 
midway between the eastern and western extremities of 
the island. 

9 The fast; connected with the great day of atonement. 
(Lev. 16:29. 30), which occurred about the 20th of Septem- 
ber. 

10 I perceive; he did not avow this as a prophecy from 
God, but had the conviction that the voyage would not be 
without loss— possibly of their lives; though he was sure 
that his life would be spared till he should see Rome, 
(ch. 23:11). 

12 Not commodious to winter in; being exposed to the 
winds, and to the sea. on the south. Phosnix; a place in the 
southwest part of Crete. 

13 South wind blew gently; this they supposed would 
favor their purpose of reaching Phoenix, where they hoped 
to winter; as the coast of Crete a few miles beyond Fair 
Havens turned to the north of west. 



14 Euroclydon; these fierce winds blew from nearly- 
east north-east. They are now called Levanters. 

15 Caught; suddenly met and arrested, as it were, by 
the wind. 

16 Clauda; a small island a little south of west from 
Fair Havens, forty or fifty miles distant. To secure the 
boat; the life-boat is here meant. They secured it tempo- 
rarily by taking it up into the ship, (v. 17). 

17 Vnder girding the ship: putting chains or ropes around 
it to strengthen it and hold it together. Quicksands; 
called Syrtes — on the coast of Africa south-west of them, 

18 Making an overthrow; to lighten the ship. 

19 17(6 rigging of the ship; all excessive, or unneces- 
sary, adornments of the ship. 

20 Neither sun nor stars; they had no mariner's com- 
pass ; hence without the sun and stars they could not keep 
their course. 

22 No loss ox soul; no loss of life, as the soul includes 
the life. 

24 Oranted as a favor ; the Lord spared the lives of all 
the crew and passengers to Paul's prayers and faithful- 



ACTS 



26 But we must be cast out on a certain 
island." 

27 And, when the fourteenth night came, 
as we were being driven along the Adria, 
about midnight the sailors were surmising 
that some country was approaching them ; 
28 and, sounding, they found twenty 
fathoms; and, going a little further, and 
again sounding, they found fifteen fath- 
oms. 29 Then, fearing lest perhaps we 
might wreck against rocky places, having 
cast four anchors out of the stern, they 
were praying that day would come. 30 
And, when the sailors were seeking to es- 
cape out of the ship, and had lowered the 
boat into the sea, by pretext, as though 
they were about to cast anchors out of the 
prow, 31 Paul said to the centurion and 
to the soldiers, "Except these abide in 
the ship, ye cannot be saved." 32 Then 
the soldiers cut off the ropes of the boat, 
and suffered it to fall off. 33 And, when 
the day was about to dawn, Paul was be- 
seeching them all to take food, saying, 
"To-day, waiting and without eating, ye 
are completing the fourteenth day, having 
taken nothing; 34 wherefore, I beseech 
you to partake of food; for this makes the 
beginning of your deliverance; for a hair 
from the head of no one of you shall 
perish." 

35 And, having said these things, and 
taken bread, he gave thanks to God in 



presence of them all; and, breaking it^ he 
began to eat. 36 And, all having become 
of good cheer, they themselves also par- 
took of food. 37 And we were in all in 
the ship two hundred and seventy-six 
souls. 38 And, having been satisfied with 
food, they were lightening the ship, throw- 
ing out the wheat into the sea. 

39 And, when it was day, they were not 
recognizing the land; but they were ob- 
serving a certain bay, having a beach, into 
which they purposed, if they might be 
able, to thrust the ship. 40 And, casting 
off the anchors, they let them go into the 
sea; at the same time loosing the bands of 
the rudders, and hoisting the fore-sail to 
the breeze, they were holding their course 
towards the beach. 41 But, falling into a 
place where two seas met, they ran the 
ship aground; and the prow, sticking fast, 
remained immovable, but the stern was be- 
ing broken to pieces by the violence of 
the waves. 42 Now it was the plan of the 
soldiers to kill the prisoners, lest any one, 
swimming out, might escape. 43 But the 
centurion, wishing to save Paul, kept them 
from their purpose; and he commanded 
that those able to swim, throwing them- 
selves first into the sea, should get out 
upon the land; 44 and the rest — some, in- 
deed, on planks, and others on some of 
the things from the the ship. And so it 
came to pass that all escaped safe to land. 



2T Adria: including also the Ionian sea soutli of the 
Adriatic gulf. 

28 Sounded; let down a line with a heavy piece of lead 
fastened to one end. to find out the depth of the water. 
Twenty fathoms; one hundred and twenty feet; a fathom 
being six feet. 

29 FoU7- anchors; to hold the ship where it was. 

31 Except these abide in the ship; Paul had already told 
them that there would be no loss of life; but now he tells 
them, unless they abide in the ship, they cannot be saved; 
here we see God's plan includes both means and end, the 
human side as well as the Divine. 

32 Cut off the ropes; that the life-boat might fall into 
the sea, and thus prevent the mariners from escaping. 

38 Cost out the wheat; to further lighten the ship, hop- 
ing thus to get to the shore. 



41 Two seas met; forming a sand bank, extending out 
into the sea. The prow, or fore-part of the ship, stuck fast 
in the sand ; and the stern, or hinder part, was broken to 
pieces by the violence of thp waves. 

42 To kill th6p7-isoners ; whom they were taking to Rome 
for trial ; and they were prompted to do this for their own 
safety, their own lives being imperiled, if they should let 
them escape. 

43 The centurion; Julius, (vs. 1, 3). Wishing to save Paul: 
he could ill afford to kill a man who began the voyage as a 
prisoner, and ended it as chief commander of all on the 
ship. Thus Paul again becomes the means, or occasion, of 
saving the prisoners from death. God had said that Paul 
was to go to Rome; and all the forces of earth and Hell 
were not able to thwart His purpose. 



CHAPTEK XXVIII. 

PAUL IX MELITA. REACHES ROME. 

1 And, having safely escaped, we then 
ascertained that the island was called Mel- 



ita. 2 And the barbarians were extend- 
ing to us no ordinary kindness; for, having 
kindled a fire, they took us all in, because 
of the present rain, and because of the 
cold. 



NOTES ON CHAPTER XXVIII. 
1 Melita; an Island about sixty miles south of Sicily, 
now called Malta. It is a little north of west of Clauda, 
and nearly five hundred miles from Clauda, 



2 -The barbarians; a term applied to the inhabitants of 
the island, and applied to nations generally, who did not 
speak the Greek language, (Rom, 1 :14). And yet they were 
very kind to this ship-wrecked party. 



ACTS 



209 



3 And Paul, having gathered a certain 
lot of fuel, and put it on the fire, a viper, 
coming out from the heat, fastened upon 
his hand. 4 And when the barbarians saw 
the beast hanging on his hand, they said 
among themselves, ""Assuredly this man is 
a murderer, whom, though safely escaping 
from the sea, justice permitted not to live." 
5 He, therefore, having shaken off the 
beast into the fire, suffered no harm; 6 
but they were expecting that he would 
surely become swollen, or suddenly fall 
down dead; but, after looking a great 
while, and observing nothing unusual hap- 
pening to him, changingtheir minds, they 
said that he was a god. 7 Now, in the 
districts round about that place, were 
lands belonging to the chief man of the 
island, by name Publius; who, receiving 
lis, entertained us hospitably three days. 
8 And it happened that the father of Pub- 
lius was lying prostrate, afflicted with 
fever and dysentery ; to whom Paul com- 
ing, and praying, laying his hands on Mm, 
healed him. 9 And, when this happened, 
the others also, who had diseases in the 
island, were coming to him, and being 
healed ; 10 who also honored us with many 
honors; and, when we were setting sail, 
they placed on hoard the things suited to 
mor needs. 

11 And, after three months, we set sail 
in an Alexandrian ship, which had wintered 
in the island, marked castor and pol- 
i,ux. 12 And, landing at Syracuse, we 
remained three days; 13 whence, mak- 
ing a circuit, we came to Rhegium. And, 
after one day, a south wind springing up, 
we came on the second day to Puteoli; 14 
where, finding brethren, we were entreated 



to remain with them seven days; and so we 
came towards Rome. 15 And from thence 
the brethren, having heard the tidirujH con- 
cerning us, came to meet us as far as Ap- 
pii Forum and the Three Taverns; seeing 
whom, Paul, giving thanks to God, took 
courage. 

PAUL AT ROME. 

16 And, when we came to Rome, it was 
permitted Paul to dwell by himself with 
the soldier who guarded him. 

17 And it came to pass, after three days, 
that he called together those who were 
chief men of the Jews; and, when they 
came together, he said to them, ' ' Brethren, 
having done nothing contrary to the peo- 
ple, or to owr ancestral customs, I was de- 
livered a prisoner from Jerusalem into the 
hands of the Romans; 18 who, indeed, 
having examined me, were disposed to re- 
lease me, because there was in me no cause 
of death. 19 But, when the Jews spake 
against it, I was compelled to appeal to 
Caesar; not that I have anything of which 
to accuse my nation. 20 For this cause, 
therefore, I called for you, to see and to 
speak with you; for, on account of the hope 
of Israel, I am encompassed with this 
chain." 

21 But they said to him, "We neither 
received letters from Judaea concerning 
you, nor did any one of the brethren, com- 
ing, report or speak any evil concerning 
you. 22 But we deem it proper to hear 
from you what you think; for, indeed, con- 
cerning this sect, it is known to us that 
everywhere it is spoken against." 

23 And, having arranged for him a day, 
there came to him to his lodging a greater 
number, to whom he was expounding, 



3 Yiper; a poisonous serpent. 

■1 Saw the beast; meaning here the same as viper. 

6 Be is a god; this circumstance was permitted to give 
Paul a chance to get a portion of the Gospel before these 
people. 

8 Sealed Mm; this instance of healing was brought 
about without the aid of medicine, though " Luke, the be- 
loved physician," was, most likely, present. If missiona- 
ries to the heathen, and preachers at home, were minis- 
ters of the Pauline type, the people would rally to them. 
This element of the Gospel, it is blessed to know, is being 
revived in our time, and many are being healed in this 
way— especially among heathen converts. 

11 Castor and Pollux; this was the sign, name, or title, 
that was painted or carved on the ship. These were imag- 
inary sons of the imaginary god, Jupiter, who were imag- 
ined to be favorable to mariners. 

12 Syracuse; a city in the south-eastern part of Sicily, 
on the way between Malta (Melita) and Rome. 



13 Making a circuit; sailing in a winding direction. 
Rhegium; a city near the south-west extremity of Italy. 
The south wind springing up; this made it favorable to them, 
because they were going north. Puteoli; north of Rhe- 
gium towards Rome, and about eight miles from the mod- 
ern city of Naples, 

14 Finding brethren; Christians. 

15 The brethren; Christians from Rome. Appii Forum; 
a town about forty-three miles south of Rome. The 
Three Taverns; about thirty-three miles south of Rome. 

16 With a soldier; to whom, likely, he was chained. 

19 ^ffai»s< i7/ against Paul's release. T was compelled; 
forced by circumstances, because the Jews did not wish 
to give him a fair trial, but to kill him. 

20 The hope of Israel ; the Messiah. 

22 This sect; meaning Christians. 

23 Was expounding; the teachings of Moses and the 
prophets, and showing their fulfillment in Jesus Christ, 



210 



ACTS 



fully testifying as to the Kingdom of God, 
and persuading them concerning Jesus, 
both from the law of Moses and from the 
prophets, from morning till evening. 24 
And some were believing the things spoken, 
and some were disbelieving. 25 And, 
disagreeing among themselves, they were 
departing, when Paul uttered one declara- 
tion, "Well did the Holy Spirit speak 
through Isaiah the prophet, 26 saying, 
'Go your way to this people, and say. 
With hearing ye shall hear, but in no wise 
understand; and, looking, ye shall look, 
and in no wise see; 27 for the heart of 
this people was made gross; and with their 
ears they heard heavily; and their eyes 



they closed; lest at any time they should 
see with their eyes, and hear with their 
ears, and understand with their heart, and 
should turn, and I should heal them.' 28 
Be it known, therefore, to you, that to the 
gentiles was this salvation of God sent: 
they also will hear."* 

30 And he remained two whole years 
in his own hired dwelling, and was wont 
to welcome all who came to him; 31 
preaching the Kingdom of God, and teach- 
ing the things concerning the Lord Jesus 
Christ, with all freedom of speech, with- 
out hindrance. 



* Some Mss. insert v. 39: And, when he said these words, 
the Jews departed, having much disputing among them- 
selves. 



25 Well spake the Soly Spi7-it; because He spake the 
truth, (Isa. 6:9; Matt. 13:14; John 12:39, 40). 

28 This salvation of God; the Gospel of Christ that 
brings salvation. God, foreseeing that the Jews would, as 
a nation, reject Christ, sent the Gospel to the gentiles. 



30 Two whole years; though kept as a prisoner, he was 
busy preaching Christ, and expounding the Gospel to all 
he could reach; while he also wrote many of the epistles 
during his imprisonment at Rome. He was a deeply- 
taught, untiring, dauntlessworker for Jesusl 



— THE — 

EFISTLE TO THE ROMANS. 



The epistle to the Romans was written by Paul (about the year 58. or 60, A. D.). while on his way to Jerusalem, 
bearing with him the contributions of the assemblies in Macedonia and Achaia to the poor saints in Jerusalem. (Rom. 
15:25.26; Acts24:17). It was probably written atCorinth. (seech. 16:23; Gains being a resident of Corinth); andit 
was borne to Rome bv Phoebe, a resident of Cenchrea. the eastern port of Corinth. Paul had never visited Rome at 
the time this letter was written, (ch. 1 : 10-1.5) ; nor do we know who planted the assembly there. There is no Scripture 
proof, nor any reliable historical, that Peter ever saw Rome. 

CONTENTS. 

I. Introduction, (1:1-15). II. Doctrinal, (1:16— XI). 1. The main thesis, "Righteousness by faith," (1:16, 17). 
Proved, (a) by the universal corruption of both gentiles (1:18-32) and Jews (11:1-29), (b) Scripture (111:9-20). 2. Ex- 
pansion of main thesis: Righteousness by faith made possible by the vicarious death of Christ, (111:21-26); this ex- 
cludes boasti-ng. (111:27-31). Abraham had this righteousness. (IV: 1-25). Its blissful consequences, (V:l-ll). The 
flrstand Second Adam, (V;12-21). 3. The believer's relation to, and standing in, Christ, (VI:l-ll). His duty to live 
abovesin, and toliveaholylife, (VI:12:22); Dead to the law, (VII:l-6); Uses of the law, (VII:7-M); Conflict be- 
tween ■• the old man " and " the new," (VII: 15-24). 4. Life of victory with Christenthroned in the heart. (VIII:1-17) ; 
Creation's groanings, and the Christian's hope. (VIII:'18-39). 5. Israel's rejection. (IX:1— XI-36). The justice of their 
rejection, (IX:l-23); its cause, (X:l-21). Israel finally to be restored. (XI:l-36). III. Practical and hortatory, 
(XII:1— XV-15). 1. TheChristian'sduties, (XII:1-21). 2. The assembly and civil government, (XIII:l-7). 3. Thelaw 
of love, (XIII :8-14). 4. Toleration, (XIV— XV-3). 5. Unity of believers, both Jews and gentiles, (XV:4-13). IV. 
Personal. (XV: 14— XVI- 16), Final warnings and doxology. (XVI:17-27). 



ROMAJSTS. 

CHAPTER I. 

1 Paul, a slave of Jesus Christ, a called 
apostle, separated unto the Gospel of God, 
2 which He promised before through His 
prophets in the holy Scriptures, 3 concern- 
ing His Son, Who was born of the seed of 
David, according to ^i!*.9 flesh, 4 Who was 
declared 
according 

resurrection from the dead — even Jesus 
Christ our Lord, 5 through Whom we 
received grace and apostleship, for obe- 
dience of faith among all the nations for 
His name's sake; 6 among whom also are 
ye the called of Jesus Christ: 7 to all 
who are in Rome, beloved of God, called 
saints: Grace to you, and peace from God 
our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ. 

8 First, indeed, I thank my God through 
Jesus Christ for you all, because your 
faith is proclaimed in the whole world. 



9 For God is my witness. Whom I serve 
in my spirit in the Gospel of His Son, 
how unceasingly I make mention of you 
always in my prayers, 10 making re- 
quest, if by any means now at length, I 
may be prospered by^ the will of God to 
come to you. 11 For I long to see you, 
that I may impart to you some spiritual 
gift, to the end that ye may be established; 
to be the Son of God with^ power, 12 that is, to be comforted together amongf 
y to the Spirit of holiness by the you. through our mutual faith, both yours) 

and mine, 13 And I do not wish you to 
be ignorant, brethren, that oftentimes I 
purposed to come to you (and was hindered 
hitherto), that I might have some fruit in 
you also, even as in the rest of the gen- 
tiles. 14 I am debtor both to the Greeks 
and to the Barbarians, both to the wise 
and to the foolish; 15 so, as much as in 
me *s, I am ready to proclaim the Gospel 
to you also who are in Rome. 16 For I ' 
am not ashamed of the Gospel; for it is 
the power of God unto salvation to every 



2 Gr. In. 



NOTES ON CHAPTER I. 

1 A slave: a bond-slave, whose personal liberty was for- 
feited. Paul, however, was not an involuntary slave; but 
he answered to the "ear-bored " slave. (Ex. 21:5.6; Deut. 
15:15-17). A called apostle; called by Christ. 

2 Promised before; Paul wished the brethren at Rome to 
know that the Gospel had come in fulfillment of promises 
made in the Old Testament. 

3 The seed of David; Christ was a descendant of David, 
according to His humanity. 

4 Declared to be; the resurrection of Jesus Christ from 
the dead was the crowning proof of His divinity, which 
body could not be confined in the tomb. 

5 By Whom; Jesus Christ. Grace and apostleship ; the 
■bestowment of the apostolic office, with grace to perform 
its high functions, was meant to lead people of all nation- 
alities to obey Christ. 



7 Grace . . . peace; grace is the favor of God bestowed^l 
upon unworthy men through Jesus Christ; and^iertceis the 
result to those who really accept Christ. The apostle here 
puts Christ on an equality with the Father. 

11 That I may. impart some spiritual gift; the apostle 
means that, through his teachings, they might be enriched 
through the Holy Spirit in the bestowment of His gifts, 
(I Cor. 12:8-11). 

12 To be comforted together; he wished that they might 
he mutual helps. The apostle did not think himself above 
his brethren; but often requested their prayers. 

14 I am debtor; he felt that he should preach to all 
classes and nationalities. 

16 The Gospel . . . thepower of God; or that through 
which God exerts His mighty power in the salvation of all 
who believe on His Son. 



212 



ROMANS 



one that believes; to the Jew first, and 
also to the Greek; 17 for in it is revealed 
Grod's righteousness, from faith to faith; 
^as it has been written, "But the righteous 
ishall live by faith." 

18 For God's wrath is revealed from 
lleaven against all ungodliness and un- 
righteousness of men, who hinder the 
truth in unrighteousness; 19 be'causethat 
which is known of God is manifested in 
them; for God manifested it to them. 20 
For His invisible things, since the crea- 
tion of the world, are clearly seen, being 
perceived by the things that are made, 
even His everlasting power and divinity; 
that they may be without excuse: 21 be- 
cause, having known God, they did not 
glorify Him as God, nor did they give 
thanks; but they became vain in their rea- 
sonings, and their senseless heart was 
darkened. 22 Professing themselves to 
be wise, they became fools, 23 and 
changed the glory of the incorruptible 
God for the likeness of an image of cor- 
ruptible man, and of birds, and quadru- 
peds, and reptiles. 24 Wherefore, God 
gave them up in the desires of their hearts 
unto tlie uncleanness of dishonoring their 
bodies among themselves; 25 who, in- 
deed, change the truth of God into false- 



hood; and worshiped and served the crea- 
ture rather than the Creator, Who is 
blessed forever. Amen. 

26 For this cause, God gave them up to 
vile passions;^ for both their women 
changed the natural use into that which is 
against nature; 27 and, in like manner, 
the men also, leaving the natural use of 
the women, burned in their desires one 
for another; men with men working un- 
seemliness, and receiving in themselves 
the recompense of their error, which was 
due. 28 And, as they did not approve 
the holding of God in their knowledge, 
God delivered them up to a reprobate 
mind, to do those things which are not be- 
coming; 29 having become filled with all 
unrighteousness, wickedness, covetousness, 
maliciousness; full of envy, murder, strife, 
deceit, malignity; whisperers, 30 back- 
biters, hateful to God, insolent, haughty, 
boastful, inventers of evil things, disobe- 
dient to parents, 31 without understand- 
ing, covenant-breakers, without natural 
affection, unmerciful; 32 who, indeed, 
knowing the ordinance of God, that those 
who practice such things are worthy of 
death, not only do the same, but even de- 
light in those who practice them. 



Gr. Passions of dishonor. 



17 In it is revealed God's righteousness; the Gospel is a 
revelation of God's righteousness, which is stored up in 
the Son for all who truly accept Him as their Savior ; and, 
as Christ is God's righteousness. (II Cor. 5:21). those who 
accept Christ are accounted righteous in Him. 

18 J^or thewrath of God is revealed; there is great need 
of such a righteousness; for God's wrath will be visited 
upon those who do not have it. Vngodliness; sins against 
God. Unrighteousness; sins against men. Minder the truth; 
prevent it from having its proper effect. 

19 That which is known; God is known by His works, 
(Ps. 19:1). 

20 ffis everlasting power and divinity; the visible crea- 
tion tells of the mighty power and wisdom of God— which 
can exist in perfection in God only. 

21 Saving known God. they did not. etc. ; the knowledge 
which the light of nature— or the light that may be re- 
ceived from the study of God's works— is enough to in- 



spire reverence for the Creator; but the peoples of earth 
had not appreciated such light or knowledge, but had 
readily given up all knowledge of God. or sense of obliga- 
tion to Him. 

22 Professing themselves to be wise; as the Grecian. Ro- 
man, and other philosophers did. Became fools; mani- 
fested the greatest folly. A fool is not an idiot; but one 
who has intellect, and abuses it. 

23 Changed; gave up the worship of God for the worship 
of senseless images. 

24 God also; as they had given up God, He also gave 
them up to their vile passions. 

25 Changed the truth of God; into mere idol-worship. 
26-32 This is. indeed, a horrible picture; but it is not 

overwrought, nor is it an exhaustive statement of the 
facts, (see also Gal. 5:19-21; Ps. 51:5). 

iV. JB. The natural condition of man is such as to make 
his salvation impossible, apart from the redemption that 
is in Christ Jesus. 



CHAPTER II. 

1 Wherefore, you are without excuse, 
O man, every one who judges; for wherein 
you judge another, you condemn yourself; 
for you who judge practice the same tilings. 
2 Now we know that the judgment of God 



is according to truth against those prac- 
ticing such things. 3 And do you reckon 
this, O man, who judge those who practice 
such things, and do the same yourself^ that 
you will escape the judgment of God ? 4 
Or, do you despise the riches of His kind- 



NOTES ON CHAPTER II. 
1 Who judges; the person who judges another must 
himself be judged by the same law or rule. 
4 Do you despise; because God does not, generally, visit 



the full penalty of sin upon the sinner, some disregard 
His authority, and throw contempt on His law. Not 
knowing; not heeding the fact that the goodness of God 
should lead them to repentance. 



ROMANS 



213 



ness and forbearance and longsuffering, 
not knowing that the goodness of God is 
leading you to repentance? 5 but, after 
your hardness and impenitent heart, you 
are treasuring up for yourself wrath in the 
day of wrath and of the revelation of the 
righteous judgment of God, 6 Who will 
render to every man according to his 
works; 7 to those who, by patience in 
well-doing, are seeking for glory and honor 
and incorruption, eternal life; 8 but to 
those who are contentioiis, and obey not 
the truth, but obey unrighteousness, there 
shall he wrath and indignation, 9 tribu- 
lation and anguish, upon every soul of 
man that works evil, of the Jew first, and 
also of the Greek; 10 but glory and 
honor and peace to every one who works 
good, to the Jew first, and also to the 
Greek: 11 for there is no respect of per- 
sons with God; 12 for as many as sinned 
without law shall also perish without law; 
and as many as sinned under ^ law shall be 
judged by law; 13 for not the hearers of 
law are righteous before God, but the 
doers shall be justified; (14 for, when 
gentiles who have no law do by nature the 
things of the law, these, having no law, 
are a law to themselves; 15 who, indeed, 
show 'the work of the law written in their 
hearts, their conscience testifying with it^ 
and between one another their thoughts 
accusing or even excusing theiii;) 16 in 
the day when God will judge the secrets 
of men, according to my Gospel, through 
Jesus Christ. 



1 Gr. In. 



17 But, if you are called a Jew, and are 
resting upon the law, and are boasting in 
God, 18 and understand His will, and 
approve the things that are excellent, be- 
ing instructed out of the law, 19 and 
have become confident that you are a 
guide of the blind, a light to those in dark- 
ness, 20 an instructor of the foolish, a 
teacher of babes, having in the law the 
form of knowledge and of the truth; 21 
i/ou^ therefore, who teach another, do you 
not teach yourself? You who preach that 
men should not steal, do you steal? 22 
You who say tliat one should not commit 
adultery, do you commit adultery ? You 
who abhor idols, do you rob temples? 23 
You who boast in law, do you dishonor 
God through your transgression of the 
law? 24 For the name of God is blas- 
phemed among the gentiles, because of 
you, as it has been written. 25 For cir- 
cumcision, indeed, profits, if you do the 
law; but, if you are transgressors of the 
law, your circumcision has become uncir- 
cumcision. 26 If, therefore", the uncir- 
cumcision keep the ordinances of the law, 
shall not his uncircumcision be reckoned 
for circumcision? 27 And shall not the 
uncircumcision that is by nature, if it ful- 
fills the law, judge you, with the letter 
and circumcision, to he a transgressor of 
the law ? 28 For he is not a Jew, who U 
one outwardly; nor is that circumcision, 
which is outward in flesh; 29 but he is a 
Jew, who is one inwardly; and circumcis- 
ion is that of the heart, in spirit, not in 
letter, whose praise is not of men, but of 
God. 



6 Who will render to every man; God will judge every 
man according- to his works. The believer is judged in 
Christ as to his salvation, but the judgment of rewa.rds 
awaits him later. Sinners will have no right to complain, 
it their punishment is no greater than their guilt; hut 
who can estimate the extent of the guilt of him who re- 
fuses to believe on Jesus Christ ? 

7 Eternal life; life in Christ, or the Christ-life. The 
sinner has endless being, but it corresponds to endless 
deathl I so as not to violate the law of nature, written in their 

9 The Jew first; because the Jew had greater light. hearts, that does not prove that they would be saved; for 



out law, or without having the law in their lifetime, will 
become extinct. Nor does the statement signify that they 
will be saved, or have a second probation. Written in 
their hearts; if those who have the written law do not so 
obey it as to be saved^ what chance is there for the salva- 
tion of one who has nothing but the law of nature ? God 
will not do the least injustice to any man. either in this 
life, or in the life to come; and yet, apart from Christ, 
no hope of salvation. If the heathen could live 



there 



10 The Jew first; on account of his fidelity to God in 
all things, and wise use of his opportunities; referring to 
the ideal Jew, who accents and obeys the whole truth, 
(Matt, 25:21). 

11 No respect of persons; God does not treat men ac- 
cording to their wealth, intelligence, color, or position, 
but according to their characters and works. 

13-16 Sinned without law; without a written law, Perish 
without law; this does not mean that those who die with- 



conscience. unless it is enlightened by the word of God, 
and quickened by the Holy Spirit, is no sufacient guide. 

17-23 Ejiowledge without obedience amounts to noth- 
ing ; except that, without obedience, it greatly enhances 
one's guilt. We should preach the truth, and practice 
what we preach. 

28 Mere outward obedience amounts to little. To wor- 
ship God acceptably, we must worship Him in spirit and 
in truth. 



214 



ROMANS 



CHAPTER HI. 

1 What, then, is the advantage of the 
Jew? Or what is the profit of circum- 
cision? 2 Much every way: first, indeed, 
that they were entrusted with the oracles 
of God. 3 For what, if some did disbe- 
lieve ? Shall their disbelief make void the 
faithfulness of God? 4 May it not be 
But let God be true, and every man a liar; 
as it has been written, "That Thou mayest 
be justified in Thy words; and mayest over- 
come, when Thou judgest." 6 But, if our 
unrighteousness commends the righteous- 
ness of God, what shall we say? Is God 
unrighteous, Who visits with wrath? (I 
speak after the manner of a man). 6 It 
could not be ! for, then, how shall God 
judge the world? 7 But, if the truth of 
God, through my lie, abounded unto His 
glory, why am I also still judged as a sin- 
ner ? 8 And why not (as we are slander- 
ously reported, and as some affirm that we 
say), ' ' Let us do evil that good may come ? " 
whose condemnation is just. 

9 What, then? Are we better than theyf 
Not at all; for we before charged that both 
Jews and Greeks are all under sin; 10 as 
it has been written, ' ' There is none right- 
eous, no not one; 11 there is none that 
understands; there is none that seeks after 
God; 12 they have all turned aside, they 



together became unprofitable; there is none 
that does good, there is not so much as 
one; 13 their throat is an open sepulchre; 
with their tongues -they used deceit; the 
poison of asps is under their lips; 14 
whose mouth is full of cursing and bitter- 
ness ; 1 5 their feet are swift to shed blood ; 
16 destruction and misery are in their 
ways; 17 and the ways of peace have 
they not known; 18 there is no fear of 
God before their eyes." 

19 Now we know that whatsoever the 
law says, it speaks to those under the law; 
that every mouth may be stopped, and 
that the whole world may be under the 
sentence of God; 20 because, by the 
works of the law, no flesh will be justified 
in His sight; for through the law is the 
knowledge of sin. 21 But now, apart from 
the law, a righteousness of God has been 
manifested, being witnessed by the law 
and the prophets; 22 even a righteous- 
ness of God through faith in Jesus Christ, 
to all who believe; for there is no distinc- 
tion; 23 for all sinned, and are coming 
short of the glory of God; 24 being justi- 
fied freely by His grace, through the re- 
demption which is in Christ Jesus; 26 
Whom God set forth as a propitiation, 
through faith in His blood, for the mani- 
festation^ of His righteousness, because of 



Or. it could not he. 



2 Or, exMbition. 



NOTES ON CHAPTER III. 

1 What advaniaae; since the Jews as well as others 
cannot be accepted because of their works. 

2 Oracles of God; the Scriptures that give a knowledge 
of salvation through the Messiah that was to come. 

5 Jf our unrighteousness commends the righteousness of 
God; if our sins furnish an occasion for the display of His 
mercy, and are thus overruled for the display of His 
glory, is it not wrong in God to punish us ? 

6 It could not be; it is impossible, that the fact that 
God can, through His Son, make sin subservient to His 
glory, should diminish the guilt of sin in the least. 

7 Through my lie; if men lie. and God shows His 
justice and truth in punishing them, and thus displays 
His own glory, why should they be blamed f They should 
be blamed and punished, because they lied; lying always 
being wrong. When civil government punishes a mur- 
derer with death, the majesty of law is declared; and the 
government is clothed with dignity and glory; not be- 
cause she had murderers among her population, but be- 
cause she visited punishment upon the guilty. 

8 And why not; that is, if we are to adopt the false po- 
sition of the objector, why should we not say, " Let us do 
evil, that good may come." 

9 Are we; Jews. Better than they; the gentiles. No; 
because all are under sin, and there is but one way to get 
ridof it— viz., through faith inChrist. 

10-18 These Scriptures, gathered from different parts 



of the Old Testament, prove the universal corruption of 
the human race, (seePs. 14:1-3; 53:1-3; 140:3. etc.). 

20 By works of the law no flesh will be justified; the ob- 
servance of neither the ten commandments, nor ceremo- 
nial law, can justify a guilty soul before God: (1) because 
present obedience cannot atone for past sins ; and (2) be- 
cause the blood of bulls and of goats cannot wash away 
sin, (Heb. 9:13). Nothing but the blood of Jesus can 
cleanse from sin, (I John 1 :9). Through the law; the 
moral law, or decalogue. Man is corrupt without the law, 
but the law serves to reveal his sins to him, (Rom. 7:7). 

21 A righteousness of God; provided In His Son. 
Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every ' 

one who believes," (Rom. 10:4). Christ's righteousness 
is imputed to all true believers, 

22 iVo distinction; between Jew and gentile; for all 
have sinned, and rest under condemnation, until they be- 
lieve on Christ. 

24 Being justified freely hy His grace; Grace gave us a 
Savior; and, if we truly accept Him as our Sin-bearer, we 
are justified, or accounted just, on the ground of His 
righteousness; Christ having redeemed us, with His own 
precious blood, from the curse of the law, (I Peter 1:18 19; 
Gal. 3:13). 

a As a propitiation; a propitiatory sacrifice, whereby 
He put away sin (Heb. 9:26), averted the wrath of the 
Father, and gained His favor. The believer in Christ is 
sheltered, covered, and protected in Christ. 



ROMANS 



215 



the passing over of the forraerly-com 
mited sins in the forbearance of God : 26 
for the manifestation of His righteousness 
in the present time, to the end that He may 
be righteous, even when declaring right- 
eous him who has faith in^ Jesus. 

Where, tlien, is the boasting? It was ex 
eluded. By what manner of law? Of 
works? Nay; but by a law of faith. 28 



For we reckon that a man is justified * by 
faith, apart from works of law. 29 Or is 
He the God of Jews only? Is He not of 
gentiles also? Yes, of gentiles also; 30 
if, indeed, God is One Who will justify 
the circumcision by faith, and the uncir- 
cumcision through faith. 31 Do we, then, 
make void the law through faith? It could 
not be ! Yea, we establish the law. 



Or. (if Jesus. 



4 Or, declared righteous. 



26 Righteoics even when declaring righteous; the Father 
Is righteous even in the act of justifying the sinner who 
believe^in Christ. 

27 Where is boasting; by this method of salvation all 
boasting is excluded; salvation resting, not upon anything 
man has done, or can do. but altogether upon what Christ 
has done for man. 

28.'29 Justified by faith; God. seeing the penitent taking 
refuge in His Son, accounts him righteous, or justifies him, 
wholly on the ground of Christ's merits, apart from works 
of every kind, (II Cor. 5:21). This salvation is tor both 
Jew and gentile, alike. 



30 Circumcision; meaning here the Jews. Vncircum- 
cision; the gentiles. Bu faith; by a faith that takes hold 
upon Christ, apart from law. Through faith; or through 
the faith; faith here being considered as the means that ap- 
propriates salvation in Christ. 

31 We establishthelaw; this course of reasoning serves 
to establish the supreme excellency of the law (meaning 
the moral law) as so many rules to control the believer's 
conduct; and, being justified now by faith in Christ, weare 
to keep the law in all its righteous requirements, not in 
our own strength, but in the power of the new life now 
made victorious in us through our proper relation to the 
law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus, (oh. 8:2-4). 



CHAPTER IV. 

1 What, then, shall we say that Abra- 
liam, our forefather, has found according 
to the flesh? 2 For, if Abraham was justi- 
fied by works, he has ground of boasting, 
but not towards God. 3 For what does 
the Scripture say? "And Abraham be- 
lieved God, and it was reckoned to him for 
righteousness." 4 Now to him that works 
the reward is not reckoned as of grace, but 
as of debt; 5 but to him that works not, 
but believes on Him Who justifieth the 
ungodly, his faith is reckoned for right- 
eousness, 6 Even as David also speaks of 
the blessedness of the man to whom God 
reckoneth righteousness, apart from works, 
7 "Happy are those whose iniquities were 
forgiven, and whose sins were covered. 8 
Happy is the man to whom the Lord will 
not reckon sin." 

9 Does this happiness, therefore, come 



upon the circumcision, or upon the uncir- 
cumcision also ? For we say, "Faith was 
reckoned to Abraham for righteousness." 

10 How, then, was it reckoned? When he 
was in circumcision, or in uncircumcision? 
Not in circumcision, but in uncircumcision. 

11 And he received the sign of circum- 
cision, a seal of the righteousness of the 
faith which he had while in uncircum- 
cision; that he might be father of all 
who believe while in uncircumcision, that 
the righteousness might be reckoned to 
them; 12 and father of circumcision to 
those who not only are of the circumcision, 
but who also walk in the steps of the faith 
of our father Abraham, which he had in 
uncircumcision. 13 For, not through law, 
was the promise to Abraham, or to his 
seed, that he should be heir of the world, 
but it was through the righteousness of 
faith. 14 For, if those who are of the law 



NOTES ON CHAPTER IV. 

1 According to the flesh; the apostle means to deny that 
Abraham had anything to boast of as a result of his own 
works. 

2-8 He has ground of boasting; if he was justified by 
tiis own works, he might boast of them; but the Scripture 
declares that he was justified by faith. (Gen. 15:6), Not 
liis works, but his faith was the ground (on the human 
side) of his justification. If one can be justified by his 
works, he can be saved by them; but this is contrary to 
the plain teachings of the word, which teaches that men 
can be justified by faith alone— the faith that identifies 
the penitent with Him Who died on the cross to put away 
sin. 

9 This happiness; the happiness connected with justifi- 
cation— which happiness results from the consciousness of 
sins forgiven and acceptance with God. 



10 JVot in circumcision; not after, but before, he re- 
ceived circumcision. 

11 A seal of the righteousness of faith; a visible sign 
that, because of his faith before he was circumcised, he 
was justified, and found acceptance with God. 

12 Father of circumcision; father of the circumcised 
Jews who believed in Christ. 

13 Heir of the world; Gen. 12:2,3; 15:5,6; Gal. 3. 2{ot 
through law; not through obedience to law, or human 
works, but through faith in Christ. 

14 Those who are of the law; those who seek justifica- 
tion by deeds of law. Are heirs; if those who rely upon 
their legal observances are entitled to the blessings prom- 
ised to Abraham, then faith is void, and the promise of no 
effect. 



216 



ROMANS 



are heirs, faith has been made void, and 
the promise has been brought to nought; 

15 for the law works wrath; but where 
there is no law, there is no transgression. 

16 For this cause it is of faith, that it may 
he according to grace; to the end that the 
promise may be sure to all the seed; not to 
that only which is of the law, but to that 
also which is of the faith of Abraham, who 
is the father of us all (17 as it has been 
written, "A father of many nations have 
I made you"), before God Whom he be- 
lieved, Who maketh alive the dead, andcall- 
eth the things that are not, as though they 
were; 18 who, past hope, believed against 
hope, to the end that he might become the 
father of many nations, according to that 
which had been spoken, "So shall your 



seed be." 19 And, being not weakened in 
faith, he attentively considered his own 
body already dead (he being about a hun- 
dred years old), and the deadness of Sarah's 
womb; 20 but, in view of the promise of • 
God, he wavered not through unbelief, but j 
was made strong in faith, giving glory to 
God, 21 and being fully assured that j 
what He had promised, He was able also i 
to perform. 23 Wherefore also it was j 
reckoned to him for righteousness. 23 
Now it was not written for his sake alone, 
that it was reckoned to him; 24 but for 
ours also, to whom it will be reckoned, if 
we believe on Him Who raised Jesus our 
Lord from the dead; 25 Who was de- 
livered up for our offenses, and raised for 
our justification. 



15 The law works wrath; that is, wrath is the heritage 
of those who seek God's favor through deeds of law. 

16 For this cause it is of faith; God's promise to Abra- 
ham and to his seed was not meant to be realized on the 
ground of personal righteousness, but on the righteous- 
ness that comes to him who believes in Christ. Good 
works characterize him who truly believes in Christ, but 
itis Christ's righteousness alone that gives one standing 
before God. 

18 Past hope; beyond all rational hope in the natural. 
Believed against hope; his faith had to struggle against a 
discouraged hope (viewed from a natural standpoint). All 
hope that he would have the promised heir, had long since 
expired; and now his God-given faith had to overcome his 
naturally-collapsed hope. 



19 Wavered not; his faith did not falter, even when he 
closely considered his own condition and that of his wife. 
To him the promise of God was more than all opposing 
obstacles. 

23 It; his unwavering faith. 

23-25 All true believers should be intensely interested 
in the statement, "It was reckoned to him for righteous- 
ness." since it is by faith in the personal Christ, that they 
are to be accounted righteous. Be was delivered up for our 
offenses; the assumption of human guilt, (Isa. 53:6; I Pet. 
2:24; II Cor. 5:21), made it necessary that Christ should be 
delivered up to death. Raised for our justification; Christ 
was representing man's interests in His death; and, if He 
had not risen from the dead, we would have had no right 
to lite; and. of course, our justification, with Christ in the 
grave, would have been impossible. 



CHAPTER V. 

1 Having been justified, therefore, by 
faith, we have peace with God through our 
Lord Jesus Christ, 2 through Whom also 
we have had access by faith into this 
grace in which we have been standing; and 
we rejoice ^ in hope of the glory of God. 
3 And not only so, but we also rejoice^ in 
our tribulations; knowing that tribulation 
works out patience;^ 4 and patience, ap- 



1 Or, let us rejoice, or exult. 2 Or, endurance. 

NOTES ON CHAPTER V. 

1 Justified bv faith; the faith that identifies the peni- 
tent with the Christ who died to put away sin, brings His 
righteousness; and, when this takes place, the Father im- 
putes the righteousness of Christ to the believer; and he 
is now accounted righteous, or is now justified; his past 
sins being put away, and "thelifeof Christ, "being now im- 
parted to him; while he has his standing in Christ, (ch. 
10:4). Now the soul is at peace with God. 

3, 4 Rejoice in our tribulations; because of their great 
utility. Tribulations, rightly endured, work out patience, 
endurance, or steadfastness; and patience, in turn, works 
out approval, or approved integrity, both in the view of 
good men and of God ; and approval leads on to hope [that 
sure anchor of the soul] ; and hope makes not ashamed, 



proval; and approval, hope; and hope makes 
not ashamed; because the love of God has 
been poured out in our hearts through the 
holy Spirit, Who was given to us. 6 For, 
while we were yet weak, Christ, in due sea- 
son, died for the ungodly. 7 For scarcely 
for a righteous man will one die; for, per- 
adventure, in behalf of a good man, some 
one even dares to die. 8 But God com- 
mendeth His own love toward us, in that, 
while we were yet sinners, Christ died for 
us. 9 Much more, therefore, being now 

but causes one to rise above all trials; for already "the 
love of God has been poured out in one's heart by the Holy 
Spirit." 

6 Yet weak; when we were unable to keep the law, and 
had no rational hope of salvation. In due season; at the 
proper time. Christ died for the ungodly; His vicarious 
sufferings and death opened the way of salvation through 
repentance and faith. 

8 God commendeth His love toward us; by giving His 
Son to die for us while we were His enemies. 

9 Much more, then; if, while we were yet sinners, God 
expiated our guilt by the death of His Son, so that we now 
have His righteousness to our account, much more, or 
most surely, will God's wrath be averted from us. This 
is an argument from the greater to the less. 



KOMANS 



217 



justified by '' His blood, shall we be saved 
from the wrath of God through Him. 10 
For if, while we were enemies, we were 
reconciled to God through the death of 
His Son; much more, having been recon- 
ciled, shall we be saved by^ His life; 11 
and not only 6c, but we are rejoicing in 
Grod through our Lord Jesus Christ, 
through Whom we now received the recon- 
ciliation. 

12 Therefore, as through one man sin 
entered into the world, and death through 
sin; and so death passed unto all men, for 
that all sinned; 13 for until the law sin 
was in the world, but sin is not reckoned,* 
when there is no law: 14 but yet death 
reigned from Adam until Moses even over 
those who sinned not after the likeness of 
Adam's transgression, who is a type of 
Him Who was to come. 15 But not as the 
trespass, so also is the free gift; for, if by 
the trespass of the one, the many died, 
much more did the grace of God, and the 
gift by the grace of the One Man, Christ 



3 Gr. In. i Or, imputed. 



Jesus, abound to the many. 16 And not 
as through one that sinned, so is the gift; 
for, indeed, the judgment came of one 
trespass unto condemnation; but the free 
gift came of many trespasses unto justifi- 
cation. 17 For, if, by the trespass of one, 
death reigned through the one; much more 
shall those who receive the abundance of 
the grace, and of the gift of righteousness, 
reign in life through the One, Jesus 
Christ. 18 So, then, as through one tres- 
pass, the judgment came to all men unto 
condemnation; so also, through one right- 
eous act, the free gift came to all men unto 
justification of life. 19 For as, through 
the disobedience of the one man, the many 
were constituted sinners; so also through 
the obedience of the One, shall the many 
be constituted righteous. 20 And the law 
entered,'^ that the trespass might abound; 
but where sin abounded, grace did super- 
abound; 21 that, as sin reigned in death, 
so also might grace reign through right- 
eousness unto eternal life, through Jesus 
Christ our Lord. 



5 Or. came in \ 



10 Saved by His life; Christ put away our sins by His 
death; but our salvation could not be secured apart from 
His life ; and now that He is alive. He imparts to the true 
believer His own life; and He keeps him alive by giving 
him His own life, and all else that he needs. It is. there- 
fore, the Living Christ That saves and keeps His follow- 
ers. 

11 The reconciliation; the chief result of Christ's vica- 
rious sufferings on the cross. By putting away sin, Christ 
removed the ground of our estrangement from God; and, 
when we truly accept Christ as our Savior, Redeemer, and 
Life, we become reconciled to God the Father; and. hence- 
forth, we are at one; hence the doctrine of the atonement 
is the result, on the Divine side, of Christ's death in our 
behalf; and, on ours, of accepting Christ as our Savior 
and Life. 

12 As by one man; Adam. Adam was the head of our 
race; and all his posterity was involved in his sin. and 
poisoned by it. 

13 Until the law; before the law was given. Sin was in 
the world; men sinned, and paid the penalty, before the 
law was given. Sin is not imputed; not charged to people 
as definite offenses. When there is no law; and yet 
know that, before the giving of the decalogue, there was 
great wickedness in the world. Salvation was not possi- 
ble to our fallen race, either before or after the giving of 
the law; and hence the necessity of Christ's vicarious 
death, to put away sin. 



14 Death, reigned; death prevailed from Adam to Moses, 
even 'over those who did not, personally, violate God's 
statutes. 

15 Not as the trespass, so is the free gift; in several re- 
spects there is a dissimilarity between the results of 
Adam's sin and the results that followed the death of 
Christ. Abound to many; giving them much more in 
Christ, than they lost in Adam. 

16 One trespass brought judgment, condemnation, and 
death; one act of Christ, in dying for the race, brought 
righteousness and eternal life to those who had commit- 
ted many sins. 

21 Another dissimilarity is seen in the fact that the 
reasons why the believer should reign in life with Christ, 
are stronger than the reasons that hold the sinner in con- 
demnation and death as a result of Adam's sin. 

18 Unto justification of life; the work of Christ for man 
is ample for all who accept Him; and all who do truly be- 
lieve on Him have eternal life. His own precious gift ta 
them. (John 10:10). 

20 The law entered; the written law, or ten command- 
ments. That the trespass might abound; that man might 
see what a many-sided sinner he is. 

21 Jesus Christ, having died for all, gives His own eter- 
nal life to all who truly accept Him; and His righteous- 
ness becomes the inheritance of every true believer. 



CHAPTER VI. 

1 What, then, shall we say? Shall we 
persist in sin, that grace may abound? 2 



It could not be ! How shall we, who died 
to sin, live any longer therein? 3 Or are 
ye ignorant, that all we who were im- 



NOTES ON CHAPTER VI. 
What, then, shall we say; if sin furnishes occasion for 
i display of God's mercy, shall we keep on sinning ? 



2 It could not be; impossible! Shall we keep doing the 
very things that made Christ diet And shall we. who are 
dead to sin. persevere in sinning I 



218 



KOMANS 



mersed into Christ Jesus were immersed 
into His death ? 4 We were buried, there 
fore, with Him through the immersion 
into death; that as Christ was raised from 
the dead through the glory of the Father 
so we also might walk in newness of life 
5 For, if we have become united with Z?*m 
in the likeness of His death, we shall be 
also in the likeness of His resurrection; ( 
knowing this, that our old man was cruci 
fied with Him, that the body of sin might 
be brought to nought, that we should no 
more be in bondage to sin; 7 for he that 
died has been justified ' from sin. 8 But, if 
we died with Christ, we believe that we shall 
also live with Him; 9 knowing that Christ, 
having been raised from the dead, dieth 
no more; death no more has dominion over 
Him. 10 For the death that He died. He 
died to sin once for all; but the life that 
He liveth He liveth to God. 11 Even so 
reckon ye also yourselves dead, indeed, to 
sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus. 12 
Let not sin, therefore, reign in your mortal 
body, that ye should obey its desires; 13 
neither present your members to sin as 
instruments'^ of unrighteousness; but pre- 
sent yourselves to God, as alive from the 



dead, and your members to God as instru- 
ments of righteousness. 14 For sin shall 
not have dominion over you; for ye are 
not under law, but under grace. 

15 What, then? May^ we sin, because 
we are not under law, but under grace? It 
could not be ! 16 Know ye not that to 
whom ye present yourselves as slaves for* 
obedience, his slaves ye are whom ye obey, 
whether of sin unto death, or obedience unto 
righteousness ? 17 But thanks be to God 
that, though ye were slaves of sin, ye did, 
however, obey from the heart that form of 
teaching unto which ye were delivered; 18 
and, having been made free from sin, ye 
were made slaves of righteousness. 19 I 
speak after human fashion because of the 
weakness of your flesh; for, as ye presented 
your members subservient to uncleanness, 
and to iniquity unto iniquity; so now pre- 
sent your members subservient to right- 
eousness unto holiness. 20 For, when ye 
were slaves of sin, ye were free as to right- 
eousness. 21 What fruit, therefore, had 
ye then in the things of which ye are now 
ashamed? for the end of those things is 
death. 22 But now, having been made 
free from sin, and having been made slaves 



Or, released. 2 Or, weapons. 



3 Or, sliall. i Or, unto 



S. 4 Immersed into Bis death: immersion Is at once a 
picture of the death, burial, and resurrection, of Christ, 
and of our identification with Him in all these particulars. 
Those who have been buried with Him in this symbolic 
ordinance, should never tolerate sin in themselves any 
more; for the old life is put behind them, and they are 
committed to live, henceforth, in newness of life — or the 
Christ-life. 

5 Our real union with Christ in His death will insure 
our participation in His resurrection. 

6-10 Knowing this; that our old man— or self-life that 
is dominated by sin— was, judicially, crucified in the Per- 
son of Christ, our Substitute, when He died on the cross 
for us. That the body of sin; another expression for "the 
old man," or "the flesh." (Gal. 5:24). Might hebrought to 
nought; made null and void, so as no longer to control our 
real being— "the new man." This is brought about 
through Christ enthroned in the heart by the infilling 
Spirit, and kept on the throne, (ch. 8:2-4; II Cor. 4:10, 11; 
Gal. 2:20). If we died with Christ; there is a sense in 
which all died with Christ. (II Cor. 5:14); but this avails 
us little, unless we ourselves die to sin. experimentally, 
and become alive to God through faith in Christ. Our 
crucifixion becomes complete, when we become, subjec- 
tively, conformed to His death, (Phil, 3:10). 

11 Eeckon yourselves dead to sin; give it no place, utter- 
ly refuse to have anything to do with it. The position of 
the believer in Christ is one of death to sin; now he must 
see that his life corresponds to his position. If the facts 
do not always correspond with his position, he has access 
to the blood for cleansing, (I John 1:9), and the cross is 



still accessible, and should be used in the crucifixion of 
self. 

12 Let not sin, therefore, reign; here sin is referred to as 
a principle or law; and the believer is utterly to deny it any 
right in his being. Its desires; the desires, appetites, and 
passions, of the body. Unless these are controlled, and 
the body kept under (I Cor. 9:27), sin will be re-instated in 
the life. 

13 Neither present your members as instruments; we are 
not to permit any of our faculties or powers of spirit, soul, 
or body, to become subservient to sin in any way. Alive 
from the dead; having new life in Christ, we should devote 
all our powers to. His service. 

15. 16 May we sin, because we are not under law; surely 
not. The person who imagines that he is saved, and uses 
this assumption as an excuse to sin, is not dead to the love 
of sin; and, therefore, he has no part in the salvation of 
Christ. We cannot serve two masters. 

17 But thanks be to God; that those who were once ab- 
ject slaves of sin, have now become subservient to the 
truth. 

18. 19 Free from sin; free from its guilt and dominion. 
Slaves of righteousness : living now in complete obedience 
to the God of righteousness, and living thus through the 
power of the new life received by faith in Christ. 

Free from righteoxisness; destitute of all righteous- 
nes$r 

21 WTiat fruit had ye then; in that sinful life ? 

22 Fruit unto holiness; works of righteousness, holy 
iving, and showing the fruit of the Spirit, (Gal. 5:22. 23). 



ROMANS 



219 



to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, 
and the end eternal life; 23 for the wages 



of sin is death; but the gift of God is ! 
eternal life in Christ Jesus, our Lord. 



23 The wages of Sin is death; eternal separation from 



God. with all the horrors of a miserable existence in Hell. 



CHAPTER VII. 

1 Or, are ye ignorant, brethren, (for I 
am speaking to those who know law), that 
the law has dominion over the man as long 
as he lives? 12 For the married woman 
has been bound by law to the living hus- 
band; but, if the husband dies, she is loosed 
irom the law of the husband. 3 So, then, 
if, while the husband is living, she is mar- 
Tied to another man, she shall be called an 
adulteress; but, if the husband dies, she is 
free from the law, so that she is no adul- 
teress, though she be joined to another 
man. 4 Wherefore, my brethren, ye also 
were made dead to the law through the 
body of Christ, that ye might be joined to 
another — to Him Who was raised from the 
dead — that we might bear fruit to God. 5 
For, when we were in the flesh, the pas- 
sions^ of sins, which were through the law, 
were working in our members to bring 
forth fruit to death. 6 But now we have 
been fully discharged from the law, having 
died to that in which we were held; so that 
we serve in newness of spirit, and not in 
oldness of the letter. 

7 What, then, shall we say ? 7s the law 
sin ? It could not be ! But I had not known 
sin, except through law; for I would not 
know even coveting, if the law did not say. 



Or. sinful 2}assions 



' You shall not covet;" 8 but sin, taking 
occasion through the commandment, 
wrought in me all manner of coveting; for 
apart from law sin is dead. 9 And I was 
alive apart from the law once; but, when the 
commandment came, sin revived, andldied- 

10 And the commandment which was unto 
life was itself found by me to he unto death; 

11 for sin, taking occasion through the 
commandment, thoroughly deceived me, 
and through it slew me. 12 So that the 
law is holy, and the command is holy and 
righteous and good. 13 Did, then, that 
which is good become death to me? It 
could not be ! But sin, that it might be 
shown to be sin, by working death to me 
through that lohich is good; that sin, 
through the commandment, might become 
exceedingly sinful. 14 For we know that 
the law is spiritual, but I am carnal, sold 
under sin. 15 For what I accomplish, I 
know not; for not what I wish, this do I 
practice; but what I hate, this I do. 16 
But, if what I wish not, this I do, I con- 
sent to the law that it is good. 17 And 
now no longer do I accomplish it, but the 
sin which dwells in me. 18 For I know 
that there dwells not in me, that is, in my 
flesh, any good; for to wish is present 
with me; but to do that which is good is 
not. 19 For the good that I wish, I do 
not; but the evil which I wish not, this I 



NOTES ON CHAPTER VII. 

1 The law; the ten commandments. 

2, 3 The wife is bound to her husband as long as they 
"both live; but. it either dies, the other is free; and either 
may marry again without the charge of adultery. 

4 Te also 'became dead to the law; the truly penitent be- 
liever can point to the Christ Who died to put away his 
sins, and silence the accusations of Satan, when he brings 
up our past sins against us; and he may say. "The Law 
killed my Savior Who died for me; and it can have no 
further claim upon me. ' ' Having died in the person of our 
Substitute, the law cannot exact of us another death. The 
law is no more a condition of life to the believer, but the 
commandments are simple rules of conduct, which are to 
be kept in the power of the new life. 

5 In the Uesh; in the natural state, or under the domin- 
ion of the sinful nature. 

6 Having died to that in which we were held; when we 
believed in Christ (Who died to put away our sins), and 
took our place in Him, we died to the law; Christ having 
lulfllled the law for us. Serve in newness of life; serve Him 
in the power of the new life given us in regeneration. 

7 Is the law sin; nay. but it is the revealer of sin to him 
-who disobeys it. 



8 But sin; the sin-principle. Sin was dead; in the ab- 
sence of the law sin was unrecognized. 

9 1 was alive without the law; felt secure and all right 
in the absence of the law. When the commandment came; 
came to he recognized in its true spiritual import. Sin re- 
vived; appeared in great power. I died; felt the death- 
sentence pronounced against me. 

10 Vnto life; had I fully obeyed it. 

11 Taking occasion; as Satan took occasion to deceive 
Eve, and got her to violate the command, not to eat the 
fruit of a certain tree; so Sin. the controlling element in 
the natural man, used the commandments to deceive, and 
slay us. 

12 The law is holy; as coming from a holy God, the law 
is perfectly holy, and demands holiness in man. 

13 It was not the good law of God that caused my death, 
but sin that dwells in me. leading on to the violation of the 
law. 

14 The lOAV is spiritual; requiring perfect holiness in 
man. I am carnal; the natural man is carnal, or lives un- 
der the domination of depraved appetites and passions. 
Sold under sin: sold as a captive to sin. 

15-24 These verses show the sharp conflict between the 
self-life, "the old man," or " the carnal mind." on the one 



220 



ROMANS 



practice. But, if what I wish not, this I 
do, it is no more I that perform it, but 
the sin that is dwelling in me. 21 Conse- 
quently, I find the law, that, when I wish to 
do good, evil is present. 22 For I delight 
in the law of God after the inward man; 23 
but I see a different law in my members, 
warring against the law of my mind, and 



bringing me into captivity to the law of 
sin which is in my members. 24: Wretched 
man that I am! who will deliver me out 
of the body of this death? 25 Thanks l)e\ 
to God, through Jesus Christ our LordM 
Accordingly, therefore, I myself with the 
mind, indeed, serve the law of God; but, 
with the flesh, the law of sin. 



hand; and "the new man," the Christ-lite, or "the inward 
man." on the other. "The inward man" (v. 22) is seek- 
ing in his own power to appropriate his religious rights 
and privileges; but. unaided, he is not a match for "the 
old man " backed by Satan; and so the battle goes ill. re- 
sulting in nothing but defeat, until Christ comes into the 
battle, drives out Satan, comes into the heart of the be- 
liever as Kuler, and affixes "the old man" to the cross. 
Under the leadership of Christ, the body of sin is taken in 
hand, and one begins to live a life of victory over all his 
foes ; entering at once into chapter 8. 

We do not understand that these verses represented the 
state of Paul when he wrote them; for he had long been 
living a life of victory. (II Cor. 2:14; Phil. 4:6. 7. 11. 13, etc.); 
showing victory within. Of course, he had much opposi- 
tion from the world; po did Jesus, and so do all. who live 
truly godly lives. Romans 5 shows us the regenerated 



man; Romans 6. the standing and possibilities of the true 
believer in the early stages of his new life; oh. 7:15-24. 
the sharp struggle between the new man and the old ; v. 
25. brings Christ into the conflict, and eh, 8 shows a 
victorious life. 

Many suppose that it is impossible to live any better life 
than that described above, where defeat was the result of 
every conflict ; but many are coming to hnow that i t is pos- 
sible to live a life of victory in Christ. Some erroneously 
suppose vs. 15-24. to be the struggles of an unconverted man. 
but V. 22 compared with Eph. 3:16. where the inward man 
can be none other than "the new man. " refutes this hypoth- 
esis. This Scripture pictures the ineffectual efforts of a 
truly converted man to advance in spiritual victory, so 
long as he tries to fight his own battles in his own strength ; 
but. when he yields all to Christ, the victory is won. and 
now he can triumph over all his foes, and serve God with 
a happy heart. 



- CHAPTEE VIII. 

1 Consequently, there is now no con- 
demnation to those who are in Christ 
Jesus. 2 For the law of the Spirit of life 
in Christ Jesus made me free from the law 
of sin and death. 3 For, what was im- 
possible under law, wherein it was weak 
through the flesh, God, sending His Own 
Son in likeness of sinful flesh,^ and, re- 
specting sin, condemned sin in the flesh; 

4 that the requirement of the law might 
be fulfilled in us, who walk not according 
to the flesh, but according to the Spirit. 

5 For those who are according to the flesh 
do mind the things of the flesh; but those 



1 Gr. Flesh of : 



who are according to the Spirit, the things 
of the Spirit. 6 For the mind of the flesh 
is death; but the mind of the Spirit is life 
and peace; T because the mind of the 
flesh is enmity against God; for it is not 
subject to the law of God, neither, indeed, 
can it be; 8 and those who are in the 
flesh cannot please God. 9 But ye are 
not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if, in- 
deed, the Spirit of God is dwelling in you. 
And, if any one has not the spirit of 
Christ, he is not His. 10 And, if Christ 
is in you, the body is dead because of sin; 
but the spirit is life because of righteous- 
ness. 11 And, if the Spirit of Him Who 
raised Christ from the dead is dwelling in 
you, He Who raised Christ from the dead 



NOTES ON CHAPTER VIII. 

1 Consequently; as a result of the foregoing discussion- 
No condemnation: those who are in Christ have their stand 
ing in Him; and, as He has put away sin. there can be no 
condemnation to those who have their standing in Him. 

2 The law of the Spirit of life; Christ is our life; a 
the Spirit applies this life to the believer. Hence the law 
of the Spirit of life is the law that operates to free the be- 
liever from sin and death. 

3 The law brings condemnation, but Christ bringeth 
deliverance and freedom. 

4 Through the power of the Christ-life in him. the be- 
liever does just what the law requires; but it is the be- 
liever that lives in Romans 8. and not in Romans 7. Who 
walk not; the flesh must be crucified; and this begin 
when Christ is enthroned in the heart, (v. 10). 

6 The mind of the Mesh; the natural disposition, or de 



pravity that controls the mind of the natural man. Is 
death; leads to eternal death hereafter, is, in a real sense, 
death now; because it is separation from God. The mind 
of the Spirit; the new mind, or new spirit given in regen- 
eration. (Ezek. 36:26). 

7. 8 The mind of the flesh is enmity against God; is di- 
rectly opposed to God. fights God. and will not submit to 
His rule. 

9 Te are not in the flesh; not under the control of the 
carnal mind. // any man have not the spirit of Christ; 
the new spirit given in regeneration. (Ezek. 36:26; John 
3:3. 5. 6,8). 

10 // Christ be in you; not His "new spirit" only, 
which all believers have, but Christ Himself. (Eph, 3:17; 
Col. L^27). The body is dead; the body of sin (Rom. 6:6) is 
on the cross. (Gal. 2:20; 5:24; II Cor. 4:10. 11). Deathis 
its place, and death is its doom; but the death is not all 
over in an instant: but one "dies daily," (I Cor. 15:31). 



EOMANS 



221 



will make alive your mortal bodies through 
His Spirit dwelling in you. 

12 Accordingly, then, brethren, we are 
debtors, not to the flesh, to live according 
to the flesh; 13 for, if ye live according 
to the flesh, ye are going to die; but, if 
by th,e Spirit ye put to death the deeds of 
the body, ye shall live, li For as many 
as are led by the Spirit of God, these are 
sons of God. 15 For ye did not receive a 
spirit of bondage again unto fear; but ye 
received a spirit of adoption, Avhereby we 
cry, "Abba, Father." 16 The Spirit Him- 
self testifieth with our spirit, that we are 
children of God; 17 and, if children, 
heirs also; heirs, indeed, of God, and 
joint-heirs with Christ; if, indeed, we suf- 
fer with Him, that we may be also glori- 
fied with Him. 

18 For I reckon that the sufferings of 
the present time are of no account in com- 
parison with the glory about to be re- 
vealed for* us. 19 For the earnest long- 
ing^ of the creation is waiting for the rev- 
elation of the sons of God. 20 For the 
creation was made subject to vanity, not 



2 Gr. Into. 3 Or, expectain 



of choice, but by reason of Him Who sub- 
jected it, in hope 21 that the creation it- 
self also will be delivered from the bondage 
of corruption into the liberty of the glory 
of the children of God. 22 For we know 
that the whole creation is groaning and 
travailing in pain together until now; 23 
and, not only so, but ourselves also, who 
have the first fruit of the Spirit, even we 
ourselves are groaning within ourselves, 
waiting for the adoption, the redemption 
of our body. 24 For by hope we were 
saved; but hope that is seen is not hope; 
for who hopes for that which he sees? 25 
But, if we hope for that which we see not, 
we wait for it with patience. 

26 And, in like manner, the Spirit also 
helpeth our weakness; for we know not 
what to pray for as we ought; but the 
Spirit Himself maketh intercession for us 
with groanings which cannot be uttered. 
27 And He Who searches the hearts know- 
eth what is the mind of the Spirit, because 
He maketh intercession for the saints ac- 
cording to the will of God. 28 And we 
know that all things are working together 
for good to those who love God, to those 
who are called according to His purpose; 



n Will make alive your mortal body; the Holy Spirit, if 
admitted to the fuU control of our bodies (His temples— 
I Cor. 6:19). will make them alive with the life of Christ, 
and will heal, strengthen, and impart health— even the 
health and strength of Christ. (Ps. 103:3-5; Isa 40:31; 58: 
11; IIIJohn2). 

12, 13 // ye put to death the deeds of the body; if ye re- 
sist and overcome all the evil desires and capabilities of 
the flesh, the self-life, or the body of sin. Shall live; live 
a holy and victorious life here, and enjoy eternallife in 
the world to come. 

14 Led by the Spirit . . . sons of God; the true sons 
God are those who live the Spirit-filled life, and have 
Christ enthroned in their hearts. They have given the 
old man to death, and Jesus now controls their being. 
There is a great difference between these sons and the 
"babes" of I Cor. 3:1-3. 

15 Spirit of bondage again to fear: a fearful, servile 
spirit, such as all uuconsecrated believers have in a greater 
or less degree. Abba; a Chaldee word meaning Father. 

16 The Spirit Himself: the Holy Spirit. Testifieth with 
our spirit; communicates to our spirit the knowledge that 
we are children of God ; thus imparting assurance of sal 
vation. 

17 Heirs also; heirship follows the fact of membership 
in a family. Joint-heirship with Christ; co-ordinate heir- 
ship with Christ. //, indeed, we suffer with Him; suffer the 
crucifixion, (Gal. 2:20; II Cor. 4:10. 11; Gal. 5:24, etc.), and 
bear reproach for Him, (Heb. 11:26). All children of God 
will, as heirs, have eternal life; but only those who suffer 
with Him (as above), and overcome in His power, will be 
joint-heirs with Him, (Rev. 3:21; 21:7). 



18 Of no account; not deserving to be thought of. as 
compared to, or contrasted with, the glory that is to come 
to the overcomers. 

19-21 The earnest longing of the creation; the lower or- 
ders of beings, with the earth itself, seem to be longing for 
deliverance from the curse. (G«n. 3:16-19). The revelation 
of the sons of God; when the overcomers shall be mani- 
fested along with their Elder Brother, as the powers that 
are to rule the earth, (Matt. 5:5; Rom. 4:13; Ps. 37:11). 

22 The whole creation; every part of creation, without 
its own choice, has been made to feel the curse of sin; re- 
lating, likely, to every part of our own planet. 

23 We ourselves: true believers. Are groaning in our- 
selves; under the multiplied curses and woes that sin has 
brought into our world. The redemption of our bodies; 
their resurrection in Christ's likeness. 

24 Saved by hope; hope of future good — the eternal bliss 
of Heaven— sustains us in our trials, and thus saves us 
from discouragement and defeat. 

26 The Spirit helps our weakness; the Spirit, giving us 
what is ours in Christ, makes our weakness the occasion 
of imparting Christ's strength to us, (II Cor. 12:9, 10). TTie 
Spirit Himself maketh intercession for us; inbreathes 
prayers into the hearts of God's children, intense longings 
that can find no utterance in human words. 

27 He Wio searches the hearts; God the Father. Know- 
eth what is the mind of the Spirit; the Father understand- 
eth the nature of the petitions inspired by the Spirit. 

28 All things are working together for good to thosewho 
love God; yes, everything is working with all other things 
bearing upon our lives, for our good. To believe this, is 
to occupy the place of victory. 



222 



ROMANS 



29 because whom He foreknew He also pre 
destined to be conformed to the image of 
His Son, that He might be the first born 
among many brethren. 30 And whom He 
predestined, these He also called; and 
whom He called, these He also justified 
and whom He justified, these He also glo- 
rified. 

31 What, then, shall we say to these 
things? If God is for us, who is against 
us? 32 He Who spared not His Own 
Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how 
will He not also with Him freely give us 
all things? 33 Who will bring an accu- 
sation against God's elect? It is God 
Who justifieth; 34 who is he that con- 
demns? It is Christ Who died, yea, 
rather, That was raised from the dead. 



29, 30 Whom He foreknew: as His people. Predestined; 
determined beforehand. Se called; from among sinners, 
and from the world. He also justified; imputing Christ's 
righteousness to them. Glorified; made heirs of His 
glory, (John 17:22). This expresses God's order of pro- 
cedure; but none of this Js realized by aian, except as he 
repents, believes, and obeys. 

32 Freely giveua all things; ha ring given us His Son — 
His greatest Gift— He will withhold no smaller gift, 

33, 34 Since God, the Supreme Judge, declares us right- 
eous through faith in His Son, what other judge can re- 
verse His decision ? 

35, 36 No amount of trials— however severe — can ever 
separate us from the love of Christ, who bought us with 



Who is at the right hand of God, Who 
also is making intercession for us. 35 
Who shall separate us from the love of 
Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or 
persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or 
perilj or sword? 36 As it has been writ- 
ten, 'For Thy sake we are killed all the 
day long; we are accounted as sheep for 
the slaughter." 

37 Nay, in all these things we are more 
than conquerors through Him Who loved 
us. 38 For I am persuaded that, neither 
death, nor life, nor angels, nor principali- 
ties, nor things present, nor things to 
come, nor powers, 39 nor height, nor 
depth, nor any other creature, will be 
able to separate us from the love of God, 
which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. 



His own precious blood, (I Pet. 1 : 19) ; but our backslidings 
may bring us eternal losses, (I Cor. 3:15). 

37 More than conquerors; we gain more through Christ, 
than we lost in Adam. The believer, who has Christ en- 
throned in his heart, should be the better, the stronger, 
for every battle ; and the better equipped for future con- 
flicts. 

39 Nothing can separate the true believer from the 
love of God. The Devil and all his hosts strive in vain to 
pluck the true believer from the Father's hands. (John 
10:29). It is a fearful perversion of the doctrine here and 
elsewhere taught in this chapter of the believer's security 
Christ, for one to live "after the flesh." Those who 
willingly live in sin have no Scripture right to class them- 
selves among God's children. 



CHAPTER IX. 

1 I am speaking a truth, in Christ — ^I am 
not lying, my conscience testifying with 
me in the Holy Spirit — 2 that I have great 
sorrow and unceasing pain in my heart 
(3 for I was wishing myself to he a curse 
from Christ) for my brethren, my kinsmen 
according to flesh; 4 who, indeed, are 
Israelites, whose is the adoption, and the 
glory, and the covenants, and the giving 
of the law, and the service, and the prom- 
ises; 5 whose are the fathers; and of whom 
according to flesh, is the Christ, Who is 
over all, God blessed forever. Amen. 

NOTES ON CHAPTER IX, 
1 A truth; viz.. that which he records in vs, 2 and 3. 
3 / was wishing:, this is the plain translation, whatever 
it may mean; and it is the work of a translator <o irares- 
late faithfully and truly, whether he understands the real 
meaning, or not. May this not refer to some period in 
Paul's former life, when he had a dreadful struggle to 
part with his brethren, and the Jewish worship which had 
been his idol, and take up with a religion that his people 
so generally rejected ? Or, possibly, it may refer to some 
former desire the apostle had, to be made an apostle to 
the Jews, rather than to the gentiles; and, if so, the word 



> But it is not as though the word of 
God has failed: for they are not all Israei 
who are of Israel; 7 neither, because they 
are Abraham's seed, are they all children; 
but, "In Isaac shall your seed be called." 
8 That is, the children of the flesh are not 
the children of God; but the children of 
the promise are reckoned for a seed. 9 
For the word of the promise is this: "At 
this season I will come, and Sarah shall 
have a son." 10 And not only so; but Re- 
becca also having conceived by one, even 
by our father Isaac (11 for, the children 
being not yet born, nor having done any- 

oreaiAeOTfl should be translated, not "a curse," but a "vo- 
tive offering. " 

6-8 God always makes His word good to those who love 
and obey Him; but the fleshly seed of Abraham, or bis 
natural descendants, have never realized the promises 
made to true believers. God does not consider as real 
Israelites, those who would not accept His Son, 

9 The word of promise; Gen. 18:10-14; 25:21-23. 

10^13 Not only so; not only did God reject a portion of 
Abraham's natural descendants, but He chose between 
Esau and Jacob, who were sons of Isaac, and without any 
regard to their works. 



ROMANS 



223 



thing good or evil, that the purpose of God 
according to election might stand, not of 
works, but of Him Who calleth), 12 it 
was said to her, "The elder shall serve the 
younger." 13 Even as it has been written, 
Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated." 
14 What, then, shall we say? Is there 
unrighteousness with God? It could not 
be! 15 For He saith to Moses, "I will 
have mercy on whomsoever I have mercy; 
and I will have compassion on whomsoever 
I have compassion. 16 So, then, it is not 
of him that wills, nor of him that runs, but 
of God Who hath mercy. ^^ 17 For the 
Scripture says to Pharaoh, "For this very 
purpose did I raise you up, that I might 
show forth My power in you, and that my 
name might be published abroad in all the 
earth." 18 So, then, He hath mercy on 
whom He willeth, and whom He willeth 
He hardeneth. 

19 You will say to me, then, " Why doth 
He still find fault? for who has withstood 
His will?" 20 Nay but, O man, who are 
you that reply against God ? Shall the thing 
formed say to Him Who formed it, ' 'Why 
didst Thou make me thus?" 21 Or, has 
not the potter a right over the clay, out of 
the same lump to make one part a vessel 
unto honor, and another unto dishonor? 
22 And what if God, willing to show forth 
His wrath, and to make known His power, 
endured with^ much long-suffering vessels 
of wrath fitted for destruction; 23 and 



that He might make known the riches of 
His glory upon vessels of mercy, which 
He prepared beforehand for glory, eifen 
us, 24 whom He also called, not from 
Jews only, but also from gentiles? 25 
As He saith in Hosea, "I will call that 
My people, which was not My people; 
and her, 'Beloved,' who was not beloved. 
26 "And it shall be that in the place 
where it was said, 'Ye are not My peo- 
ple,' there shall they be called sons of the 
living God." 27 And Isaiah cries con- 
cerning Israel, "If the number of the 
sons of Israel be as the sand of the sea, it 
is the remnant that shall be saved;" 28 
for the Lord will do a work on the earth, 
finishing it, and cutting it short. 

29 And, as Isaiah has said before: "Un- 
less the Lord of Sabaoth had left us a seed, 
we would have become as Sodom, and been 
made like to Gomorrah." 

30 What, then, shall we say ? that gen- 
tiles who were not following after right- 
eous obtained righteousness, but a right- 
eousness which is of faith; 31 but Israel, 
following after a law of righteousness, did 
not attain^ to such a law. 32 Wherefore? 
because they sought it not by faith, but as 
it were by works. They stumbled at 
the Stone of stumbling; 33 as it has 
been written, "Behold, I lay in Zion a 
Stone of stumbling, and a Rock of offense; 
and he that believes on Him shall not be 
put to shame." 



Gr. In. 



2 Or. arrive at. 



14 Is there unrighteousness with God; because He 
chooses one rather than another ? Certainly not; for He 
always has the best possible reason lor everything He 
does; though men may not see it. 

\h He saith to Moses; Ex. 33:19. 

16 Of God Who hath mercy: God bestows His blessing, 
not because of merit, but of His boundless grace. 

17 The Scripture says; 'E.Ti.^:\& 

18 Whom He will He hardeneth ; as He did Pharaoh, by 
leaving him to his natural tendencies, and to the unre- 
strained power of Satan. 

19, 20 Why doth He still find fault; if He hath His Own 
way with everything and everybody, what ground is there 
for complaint? We should understand, once for all, that 
"The God of all the earth will do right," and that He 
not subject to trial before a human tribunal. 

21-23 If the potter has a right to make vessels to suit 
himself, surely the Infinite. Eternal God has the right to 
make individuals of different orders. The sovereignty of 
God, and the responsible moral agency of man, are both 
plainly taught in the Bible. To harmonize these doctrines 
is difficult, if not impossible, to a finite mind. It may help 
us practically, if we keep in mind that God will injure m 
human being wantonly, nor treat anyone worse than he de 
serves. Our side of the matter is very practical. We are 



required to repent, or give up sin, and accept Jesus Christ 
as our Savior; and. if we do this, we will prove thereby 
that we belong to God's "elect." And no one who fails to 
do these things has any right to class himself among the 
saved. 

24 God has chosen, from both Jews and gentiles, per- 
)ns whom He has made "vessels unto honor; " and He is 

still working along the same line. 

25 I will call that My people; Hos. 2:23. 

26 It shall come to pass; Hos. 1 :10, 

27 Isaiah cries; Isa. 10:22. 23. 

28 Finishing it, and cutting it short; God will deal sum- 
marily with those who reject His Son, casting them inta 
Hell, (Rev. 20:10, 15.) 

29-32 The Jews, very generally, failed to get the right- 
eousness of God, because they did not believe God's word, 
and sought righteousness by works; while many of the 
gentiles, dropping their idols, believed on Christ, and ob- 
tained righteousness in Him. 

33 Behold, I lay in Zion; Isa. 8:14. A stumbling Stone,' 
Jesus Christ was the stumbling Stone over which the 
Jews fell. But the Jews and the ten tribes will accept 
Jesus as their Messiah, when He comes to destroy His en- 
emies, and establish His reign over the earth, (Zech. 12:. 
10; 14:9). 



224 



ROMANS 



CHAPTER X. 

1 Brethren, the desire, indeed, of my 
heart, and my supplication to God in their 
behalf, is that they naay be saved.' 2 For 
I testify for them, that they have a zeal 
for God, but not according to knowledge; 
3 for, being ignorant of God's righteous- 
ness, and seeldng to establish their own, 
they did not subject themselves to the 
righteousness of God; 4 for Christ is the 
end of the law for^ righteousness to every 
one who believes. 5 For Moses writes 
that the man who did the righteousness of 
the law shall live thereby;^ 6 but the 
righteousness which is of faith speaks 
thus: "Say not in your heart, who shall 
ascend up into Heaven? (that is, to bring 
Christ down); 7 or, who shall descend 
into the abyss? (that is, to bring Christ up 
from the dead)." 8 But what does it say? 
The word is near you, in your mouth, and 
in your heart; that is, the word of faith, 
which we preach; 9 that if you shall con- 
fess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and 
shall believe in your heart that God raised 
Him from the dead, you shall be saved; 
10 for with the heart man believes unto 
righteousness; and with the mouth confes- 
sion is made unto salvation. 11 For the 
Scripture says, "Whosoever believes on 
Him shall not Ije put to shame." 12 For 
there is no distinction between Jew and 



Greek; for the Same Onei?, Lord of all, 
being rich toward all who call upon Him; 
13 for, "Whosoever shall call upon the 
name of the Lord shall be saved." 14 
How, then, shall they call on Him in Whom 
they believed not? and how shall they be- 
lieve on Him of Whom they heard not? 
and how shall they hear without a 
preacher ? * 16 and how shall they preach, 
unless they are sent forth ? As it has been 
written, "How beautiful are the feet of 
those who bring glad tidings of good 
things ! " 

16 But they did not all obey the glad 
tidings. For Isaiah says, "Lord, who be- 
lieved our report?" Consequen'}ly, faith 
comes of hearing; and hearing, through the 
word of Christ. 18 But I say, did they 
not hear? Yes, verily, "Their sound went 
out into all the earth, and their words to 
the ends of the inhabited earth.'''' 

19 But I say, did Israel not know? First 
Moses says, "I will provoke you to riv- 
alry by that which is no nation; by a na- 
tion void of understanding will 1 provoke 
you to anger." 

20 But Isaiah is very bold, and says, "I 
was found by those who sought Me not; I 
became manifest to those who sought not 
after Me." 21 But in respect to Israel 
He saith, "All the day long did I spread 
out My hand to a disobedient and gain- 
saying people." 



1 Gr. Is for their salvation, 2 Or, unto. 3 Gr. In it. 

NOTES ON CHAPTER X. 

2 Zeal for God without knowledge is, in general, worth- 
less. 

3 The. righteomness of God: Christ. In rejecting Christ, 
the Jews rejected the righteousness of God. 

4 Christ, the end of the law for righteousness; as the law 
had all its requirements met in the person of Christ, those 
who believe on Christ have His righteousness— which is 
the righteousness of God. 

5 Jfoseswrifes; Lev. 18:5. 

6-9 The righteousness which is of faith; the righteous- 
ness which comes to him who truly believes on Christ. A 
present faith in the living Christ, who put away our sins 
by His own death on the cross, brings us His righteous- 
ness along with peace and j oy. A real f ai th brings Christ 
to the heart, and makes Him a glorious present reality. 

10 With the heart one hclieves unto righteousness; saving 
faith is a matter of the heart, rather than of the head. It 
is a "heart-grip" on the crucified and risen Christ, that 
brings conscious deliverance from the guilt and condem- 
nation of sin. An intellectual belief, that does not involve 
the action of the heart, leaves one with his sins still on 
him. After one has savingly believed on Christ, he should 
confess Christ as his Savior; otherwise, his confession is 
false and ruinous. 

n The Scripture save; Isa. 28:16. Shall not be put to 
shame; shall not be disappointed, or confused, by any fail- 
ure. 



4 Gr. One preaching. 

12 No distinction; between Jew and Greek, or Jew and 
gentile; for all alike have access to Christ through re- 
pentance and faith. 

13 Whosoever shall call; Joel 2:32. This prophecy re- 
lates especially to the Gospel dispensation, (Acts 2:16-21). 

14 How can they call on Him; the apostle magnifies, but 
not too highly, the office and work of the true Gospel 
preacher, who has been called, qualified, and sent forth by 
God, to preach. Hundreds of millions of people have never 
yet heard the Gospel ! 

15 As it has been written; Isa. 53:7. 

17 FaifTi comes 0/ heorinff; of hearing the Gospel. One 
cannot believe the Gospel, until he knows something of 
it. In our times, one may read the word, and get the .facts 
of the Gospel; but he still needs to be quickened by the 
Spirit, in order really to hear it. 

18 Did they not hear; Many have heard, who have not 
obeyed. Their sound went out into all the earth; Ps. 19:1-4. 
This language of the Psalmist relative to the instruction 
given by the heavens, the apostle applies to the Gospel. 
During the first two or three centuries of Christianity it 
was disseminated very widely. 

19 IwillprovoUe you to rivalry by that which is no na- 
tion: Deut. 32:21. God has exalted the gentile nations that 
have accepted His Son; while the Jews, very generally, 
till recent years, were "a hissing and a by-word." 

20 Isaiah is very bold; Isa. 65:1. 

21 Spread out my hands; ready ,to bless and succor. 



EOMANS 



225 



CHAPTEE XI. 

1 I say, then, did God cast off His peo- 
ple? It could not be! For I also am an 
Israelite, of the seed of Abraham, of the 
tribe of Benjamin. 2 God did not cast off 
His people whom He foreknew. Or know 
ye not what the Scripture says of ^ Elijah? 
how he pleads with God against Israel: 3 
"Lord, they have killed Thy prophets, 
they have digged down Thy altars; and I 
am left alone, and they are seeking my 
soul-"" 4 But what says the answer of 
God to him? "I left for Myself seven 
thousand men, who have not bowed 
the knee to Baal." 5 Even so, then, at 
this present time also, a remnant, accord- 
ing to an election of grace, has been re- 
served. 6 But, if by grace, it is no 
longer of works; otherwise the grace be- 
comes no longer grace. [But, if of works, 
it is no longer grace; otherwise, the work 
is no longer work.]* 7 What, then? 
What Israel is seeking for, this he did not 
obtain; but the election obtained it, and 
the rest were hardened; 8 as it has been 
written, "God gave them a spirit of stu- 
por, eyes that they should not see, and 
ears that they should not hear, unto this 
day. " 9 And David says, ' ' Let their table 
be a snare, and a trap, and a stumbling- 
block, and a recompense to them: 10 let 
their eyes be darkened, that they may not 



1 Or. in. 2 Or. life. * Omittedin best Mss. 



see, and bow down their back always." 
11 I say, then, did they stumble, that 
they might fall? It could not be! But by 
their trespass salvation has come to the 
gentiles to provoke them to rivalry. 12 
Now, if their trespass is the riches of the 
world, and their loss the riches of the gen- 
tiles, how much more their fulness? 12 
But I am speaking to you gentiles. Inas- 
much, indeed, then, as I am an apostle of 
the gentiles, I glorify my ministry; 14 if 
by any means I may excite to rivalry my 
flesh, and save some of them. 15 For, if 
the casting away of them is the reconciling 
of the world, what will the receiving of 
themhe, but life from the dead ? 16 And, 
if the first-fruit is holy, so also is the 
lump; and, if the root is holy, so also are 
the branches. 17 And, if some of the 
branches were broken off, and you, being 
a wild olive, were grafted in among them, 
and became a joint-partaker of the root 
and of the fatness of the Olive tree; 18 
boast not against the branches. But, if 
you boast, it is not you that bear the 
root; but the root, you. 19 You will say, 
then, "The branches were broken off, that 
I might be grafted in. " 20 Well ; by their 
unbelief they were broken off, but you 
have been standing by faith. Do not 
cherish lofty thoughts; but fear. 21 For, 
if God spared not the natural branches, 
neither will He spare you. 22 Behold, 
then, God's kindness and severity; toward 



NOTES ON CHAPTER XI. 

r Cast off His people; not His obedient people, but only 
the rebellious ones. 

2-5 The apostle shows that God, all along, has had a 
Temnant of obedient people. A true Israelite is of the 
Abrahamic type. 

6 No longer of works; had Adam never sinned, he would 
have lived by his works; but, as all have fallen in Adam, 
it is impossible to heal this breach in the law by any sort 
of works. 

7 What, then; what follows from this? The great mass 
of the Jews failed, because they would not have God's 
righteousness, or Christ. The election; referring to those 
whom the Father gave to the Son, (John 6:37; 10:26-29). 
Therest were blinded; left in their own willful disobedience. 

8 As it has been written; Deut. 29:4; Isa. 6:9, 10; 63:17; 
Matt. 13:13-15, etc. 

9 David says; Ps. 69:22, 23. David was a type of Christ; 
and the destruction of his enemies typified the destruc- 
tion of Christ's enemies, or all unbelievers. 

11 Have they stumbled, that they might fall; fall as an 
entire race, or so as never to rise any more? It could not 
be; impossible! The Jews will come into prominence 
again, (Ezek. 36. with references), 

12 Through their trespass; in rejecting and crucifying 
Christ: but through His crucifixion salvation comes to all 
-who accept it. 



13 / glorify my ministry; he executed his apostolic 
ofBce, under a sense of utter self-abasement, that he 
might glorify God, and bless his f ellowmen. 

li Provoke to rivalry; that he might lead the Jews to 
see their great mistake, and become competitors, in the 
noblest sense, of their gentile neighbors who had been 
wiser than themselves. 

15 But life from the dead; if casting away the Jews <for 
their rejection and crucifixion of Christ) brought rec- 
onciliation to the gentile world (through the death of 
Christ), what will the receiving back of the Jews be (when 
they accept Christ), but life from the deadl 

16 The Jlrst-fruit be holy; the cake made from the first 
dough of the crop of grain was offered to the Lord, and 
hence was holy. The lump; the whole lump of dough. 
Christ is the First- fruit of the resurrection; and He is 
holy ; and so the whole lump, or mass of believers, when 
assembled under His rule in Heaven, will be holy also, 

17-24 The Jews, as a nation, forfeited their place with 
God, because they rejected His Son; and these are the 
branches that were broken off. The gentiles who accepted 
Christ came into the place of favor with God. Humility 
should characterize those who were of the wild olive 
tribe, but who have been grafted into Christ, the real 
Tree, or Vine. That supporteth all the true branches. 



ROMANS 



those who fell, severity; but toward you, 
God's kindness, if you continue in His 
kindness; otherwise, you also shall be cut 
off. 23 And they also, if they continue 
not in unbelief, shall be grafted in; for 
God is able to graft them in again. 24 
For, if you were cut out of that which is 
by nature a wild olive tree, and were 
grafted, contrary to nature, into a good 
olive tree; how much more shall these, the 
natural branches, be grafted into their 
own olive tree? 

25 For I do not wish you, brethren, to 
be ignorant of this mystery (lest ye be 
wise in your own conceits),* that a harden- 
ing, in part, has befallen Israel, until the 
fulness of the gentiles come in; 26 and 
so all Israel shall be saved; even as it has 
been written, "There will come out of 
Zion the Deliverer; He will turn away un- 
godliness from Jacob; 27 and this is the 
covenant from Me to them, when I shall 



take away their sins." 28 As touching 
the Gospel, they are enemies for your 
sake; but as touching the election, they 
are beloved for the Father's sake; 29 for 
the gifts and calling of God are not re- 
pented of. 30 For as ye in times past 
disobeyed God, but just now obtained 
mercy by their disobedience; 31 even so 
did these now disobey, that by the mercy 
shown to you they also may obtain mercy. 
32 For God shut up all unto disobedience, 
that He might have mercy on all. 

33 O the depth of the riches both of the 
wisdom and the knowledge of God! How 
unsearchable are His judgments, and His 
ways past tracing out! 34 For who knew 
the mind of the Lord? Or who became 
His counsellor? 35 Or who first gave to 
Him, and it shall be given back to him 
again? 36 Because, of Him, and through 
Him, and for* Him, are all things. To 
Him be the glory forever. Amen. 



3 Or, wise in yourselves. 



i Or, unto. 



25 Of this mystery; unfathomable by human reason; 
that a hardening; of the heart, amounting to -willful blind- 
ness; in part; providing for some aceeptions. or "the 
remnant." as Paul and others; until the fulness of the 
gentiles: or until the whole assembly is complete. 

26 Ml Israel shall be saved; Israel as a nation, when 
they accept Christ, will be saved; as individuals, all of 
them are saved, who accept Christ. As it has been written; 
Isa. 59:20. 21; Jer. 33:31-34; Heb. 10:15-18, 

28 As touching the Gospel, they are enemies; enemies to 
its teachings, and to its proclamation. For your sake; not 
designedly, but in effect. Jewish opposition to Christ led 
to His crucifixion; and this opened the Gospel to the gen- 
tiles, many of whom have accepted it. The election; God's 
choice of Abraham and all his spiritual seed. 

29 Not repented of; not revoked. God will keep all His 
promises. 

30 Beceived mercy by their disobedience; the unbelief of 



the Jews, culminating In their crucifying Christ, was made 
the. occasion of giving the Gospel to the gentiles. 

31 By the mercy shown to you; by the mercy shown to 
the gentiles, the Jews will, in God's time, come to accept 
Christ. 

32 Crod shut up all unto disobedience; left them locked 
up, as it were, in the prison of despair, without any possi- 
bility of relief through works. That He might have m^rcy 
on all; all who accept His Son. 

33. 34 The finite mind cannot grasp the depths of the 
riches of the Almighty, both as to His wisdom and His 
knowledge. 

35 It is impossible to give God anything, in the abso- 
lute sense, because He already possesses all things worth 
having. 

36 Of Him; God created all things. Through Him; He 
is the Protector and Sustainer of all things, (Col. 1:17). 
For Him; for His uses and glory. 



CHAPTER XII. 

1 I beseech you, therefore, brethren, 
through the mercies of God, to present 
your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, well 
pleasing to God, which is your rational 
service; 2 and be not conformed to this 
age, but be transformed by the renewing 



of your mind, that ye may prove* what 
is the good and well-pleasing and perfect 
will of God. 

3 For I say, through the grace that was 
given to me, to every one among you, not 
to think of himself more highly than he 
ought to think, but so to think as to think 



1 Or. discern. 



NOTES ON CHAPTER XII. 

1 ITiemercfesof God; as revealed in the foregoing chap- 
ters. Present your bodies ; our bodies should be recognized 
as temples of the Holy Spirit. (I.Cor. 6:19) ; and, made Iwly 
by the indwelling Spirit, we should present them to our 
Father; not as a decid. but as a living sacrifice. This is a 
rational service, and brings with it great profit. 

2 Be not conformed to this age; to its fashions, customs, 
maxims, and sinful practices. Transformed; changed or 



transfigured, in spirit, soul, body, life. etc. By the renew- 
ing, recasting, and utter changing, of the mind, through 
the power of the Holy Spirit. Prove; discern, know, real- 
ize. Perfect will of God; God has a best thought for His 
people, and the thorough renewing of our minds is Indis- 
pensible to finding this. 

3 After receiving exalted blessings from the Lord, there 
is still a tendency, very generally, to think of one's self 
too highly. This tendency should be closely watched. 



ROMANS 



227 



soberly, according as God divided to each 
one a measure of faith. 4 For even as we 
have many members in one body, and all 
the members have not the same office; 6 
so we, being many, are one body in Christ, 
and sev^erally members one of another. 6 
And, having gifts differing according to 
the grace that was given to us; whether 
prophecy, let us prophesy according to the 
proportion of ou7' faith; 7 or ministry, 
let US labor in the ministry; or he that 
teaches, in teaching; 8 or he that exhorts, 
in his exhortation; he that imparts, let him 
do it Avith liberality;'' he that presides,* 
with diligence; he that shows mercy, with 
cheerfulness. 

9 Let love he without hypocrisy; abhor- 
ring that which is evil; cleaving to that 
'lohich is good; 10 in brotherly love being 
tenderly affectionate one to another; in 
honor, preferring one another; 11 in busi- 
ness, not slothful; in spirit, fervent; serv- 
ing the Lord; 12 rejoicing in hope; patient 



2 Or, in simplicity. 3 Or, superintenas. 



in tribulation; persevering in prayer; 13 
communicating to the necessities of the 
saints; cultivating hospitality. 

l-t Bless those who persecute you; bless, 
and curse not. 15 Be ready to rejoice 
with those who rejoice; to weep with those 
who weep; 16 thinking the same thing 
one toward another; minding not lofty 
things, but being carried* away with the 
lowly. Be ye not wise in your own con- 
ceits;'' 17 recompensing to no one evil 
for evil; providing things honorable in the 
sight of all men; 18 if it he possible, so 
far as it depends on you, being at peace 
with all men; 19 not avenging youi'selves, 
beloved, but give place to the wrath of 
God; for it has been written, ' ' Vengeance 
is Mine; I will recompense," saith the 
Lord. 20 But, if your enemy hungers, 
feed him; if he thirsts, give him drink; for, 
in doing this, you will heap coals of fire 
upon his head. 21 Be not overcome by 
evil, but overcome evil with good. 



4 Or, cond^cending to, etc. 5 Or, be not wise in your- 
selves. 



4, 5 As the human body is composed of many members ; 
so "the body of Christ," in its largest sense, is composed 
of all Spirit-born people. Each should find, by letting God 
teach him, his proper place and ofiace, and then fill that 
place faithfully, as unto the Lord. 

6, 8 Gifts differing: each Christian has his own particu- 
lar gift, and his own Heaven-appointed work; anditshould 
be the solemn purpose of his life, to make the best possible 
use of both his gifts and his opportunities, to the praise 
and glory of God. He that presidesj or superintends ; hav- 
ing charge of some responsible work of the Lord; as, the 
pastorate, the deaconate, etc. 

9 Without hypocrisy; there should be no deceit or pre- 
tense in our lives; but love should be the great control- 
ling principle. (I Cor. 13:4-8). 

10 In honor preferring one another; always yielding the 
best and most honorable place to others, and content with 
the worst and the lowest for ourselves, (Matt. 16:24, 25). 

11 In business, not slothful; the true Christian does all 
his work as unto the Lord ; and hence there is no place for 
laziness, indifference, or waste of time. 

12 Patient in tribulation; never grumbling or becoming 
discouraged amid trials. 

13 Communicating to the necessities of the saints; help- 
ing to supply their needs. Cultivating hospitality; by en- 
tertaining strangers and others. 



15 Rejoice . . . weep; having a tender concern for those 
about us, entering into their joys and sorrows. 

16 Thinking the same thing; being united in mind and 
heart. Minding not lofty things ; not caring for the wealth, 
honors, and pleasures of the world ; but content to mingle 
with the lowly. 

17 Recompense to no one evil for evil; never do evil to 
any one, however badly he may have treated you. 

18 Being at peace with all men; not only having no 
grudge against any, but being gentle, and loving to all- 
even to one's worst enemies. 

19 Not avenging yourselves; never retaliating, or taking 
matters into your own hands to punish the wrong-doer. 

20 Feed him . . . give him drink; supply all his present 
needs, regardless of his bad treatment, (Prov. 25:21, 22; 
Matt. 5:44). Heap coals of fire on his head; your kind treat- 
ment, under such conditions, will be likely to melt his hard 
heart, and lead him to Christ. 

21 Benot over come by evil; let no evil conquer you. but 
conquer it with Idndness. 

N. B.— The person who will obey the injunctions in the 
first three verses in this chapter, will not be slow to heed 
all the others following these. To have one's being all 
yielded to God, and have it all under His control, is the 
road to a victorious and blessed life. 



authorities that are have been appointed 
by God. 2 So that he who resists the 
authority withstands' the ordinance of 



CHAPTER XIII. 

1 Let every soul be in subjection to the 
authorities that are over him; for there is 
no authority, except from God; and the 



Gr. Withstood. 



NOTES ON CHAPTER XIII, 
1 To the authorities that are over him; referring to civil 
government. An exception would arise (as often in the 
past), where government undertakes to control the con- 
science, by forbidding the worship of Jesus Christ, or 



seeking to impose worship contrary to one's conscience, 
(Acts 4:19. 20; 5:29). 

2 Withstands the ordinance of God; here the apostle 
assumes that civil government, in general, is an ordinance 
of God ; and whosoever resists the authority, or the exec- 
utive of 'iVil government, resists God's ordinance. 



228 



EOMANS 



God; and those having resisted shall re- 
ceive to themselves condemnation; 3 for 
rulers are not a terror to the good work, 
but to the evil. And do you wish not 
to fear the authority ? Do that which is 
good, and you shall have praise from the 
same; 4 for he^ is God's minister to you 
for good. But, if j'ou do that which is evil, 
be afraid; for he bears not the sword in 
vain; for he is God's minister, an avenger 
for ^ wrath to him that does evil. 5 Where- 
fore, there is necessity that ye submit 
yourselves, not only because of the wrath, 
but also because of conscience. 6 For, on 
this account, ye pay tribute also; for they 
are God's ministers, attending continually 
to this very thing. 7 Render to all their 
dues; tribute to whom tribute is due; cus- 
tom to whom custom;* fear to whom fear; 
honor to whom honor. 8 Owe no one 
anything, but to love one another; for he 



3 Or, it. 



Or, unto. 4 Or, tax. 



that loves another has fulfilled the law. 9 
For this, "You shall not commit adul- 
tery," "You shall not kill," "You shall 
not steal," '"You shall not covet;" and, 
if there is any other commandment, it is 
summed up in this word, namely, "You 
shall love your neighbor as yourself." 10 
Love works no illto one's neighbor: there- 
fore, love is a fulfillment of the law. 11 
And this, knowing the season, that it is 
time already for you to be aroused out of 
sleep; for now is our salvation nearer 
than when ye believed. 12 The night was 
I far spent, and the day has drawn near; 
let us, therefore, put off the works of 
darkness, and let us put on the armor of 
light. 13 As in the day, let us walk be- 
comingly; not in revelings and drunken- 
ness, not in lewdness and wantonness, not 
in strife and jealousy; 14 but put ye on 
the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not pro- 
vision for the flesh, to fulfill its desires. 



4 The civil magistrate in the rightJul exercise of his 
authority, is a minister of God. Bears not the sword in 
vain; the sword is an instrument of punishment, and a 
symbol of power; and it will be used upon those who pro- 
voke the wrath of the law, (Num. 35:16-21, 30, 31). 

5 Because of conscience also; men ought to obey civil 
government, not merely to escape .punishment, but to 
teep from violating their consciences. 

6 On this account: because government is God's ordi- 
nance. Pay tribute; taxes to support government. 

7 Custom; tax on merchandise. Fear . . . honor; pay 
to olHcers the respect due them. 

8-10 Oive no one anything; pay as you go. This is the 
rule ; there may be some exceptions, where there are no 
risks in the matter to either party. But to love one an- 
other; this we should pay promptly in kind words and 
loving acts ; but it is a debt that we can never cancel. We 
must keep on paying it. He that loves his neighbor has 
fulniledthelaw; Lev. 19:18; Matt. 22:36-40. He who truly 



loves his neighbor will protect all of his neighbor's rights. 

11 And this; and do this that I have been urging. 
Knowing the season; knowing how far it has advanced. 
ArouBed out of sleep; from the stupor and deadening in- 
fluence of sin. Our salvation nearer; our salvation ia 
Heaven, whither all true believers are hastening, 

12 The night; the night of trial and tribulation. Was 
far spent; before we were aroused from our stupor. The 
day; the day of final delivery, when the saints will reach 
their blissful home. 

13 As in the day; as in the light of God. Becominnhi: 
in a manner becoming our high calling and ultimate des- 
tiny. Revelings and drunkenness; dancing (see Liddell & 
Scott's Greek Dictionary) and intemperance. 

14 Put ye onthe Lord Jesus Christ; clothe yourselves 
with His nature and holiness to such an extent that He 
will rule your whole being, and show Himself to the world 
through you. Such a life will be security against all pro- 
visions for the gratification of the flesh. 



CHAPTER XIV. 

1 But him that is weak in the faith re- 
ceive ye, yet not for decisions of scruples.^ 
2 One believes that he may eat all things; 
but he that is weak eats herbs. 3 Let not 



1 Or, disputes. 



him that eats despise him that eats not; 
and let not him that does not eat despise 
him that eats; for God received him. 4 
Who are you that judge another's servant? 
To his own lord he stands or falls. But 
he shall be made to stand; for the Lord is 
able to make him stand. 



NOTES ON CHAPTER XIV. 
Mutual forbearance and self-abnegation in non-essen- 
tials are enjoined in this chapter. 

1 Weak in the faith; not well established in the doc- 
trines and principles of the Gospel. Receive ye; to youi 
fellowship. Not for decisions of scruples; you are not to 
assume the task of settling his conscientious scruples for 
him; but let time, and extended knowledge, and the Holy 
Spirit, settle these. 

2 One believes that he may eat all things; all wholesome 
food. Who is weak; uninformed, ignorant of the whole 



truth bearing on the subject. Hats herbs; lives on vege- 
table food, lest he should be defiled. 

3 The person who can eat all sorts of wholesome food, 
should not despise a brother who has narrower views of 
this subject; and. vice versa. 

4 Who are you that judge; narrow-minded and ignorant 
people condemn others for things altogether innocent in 
themselves. To his own lord; meaning, in its application. 
Christ, ffe shall be made to stand; God will support even 
his feeblest children, when their hearts are loyal to His 
Son. 



ROMANS 



229 



5 One man, indeed, esteems one day 
above another; another esteems every day 
alike. Let each one be fully convinced in 
his own mind. 6 He that regards the day 
regards it to the Lord; and he that eats 
eats to the Lord, for he gives thanks to 
God; and he that eats not, to the Lord he 
eats not, and gives thanks to God. 7 For 
no one of us lives to himself, and no one 
dies to himself. 8 For, if we live, we 
live to the Lord; and, if we die, we die to 
the Lord: whether we live, therefore, or 
die, we are the Lord's. 9 For to this end 
Christ died, and lived, that He might be 
Lord of both dead and living. 10 But 
you — why do you judge your brother? or 
you also — why do you despise your 
brother? for we shall all stand before the 
judgment seat of God. 11 For it has 
been written, " As I live, saith the Lord, 
to Me every knee shall bow, and every 
tongue shall confess to God." 12 So, 
then, each one of us shall give account 
concerning himself to God. 

13 Let us not, therefore, judge one an- 
other any more; but judge ye this rather, 
not to put a stumbling-block, or an occa- 
sion of falling, in a brother's way. 14 I 
know, and have been persuaded in the Lord 



Jesus, that nothing is unclean of itself: ex- 
cept that to him who accounts anything to 
be unclean, to him it is unclean. 15 For, 
if because of your food your brother is ag- 
grieved, you are no longer walking in ac- 
cordance with love. Destroy not with 
your food him for whom Christ died. 16 
Let not, therefore, your good be evil 
spoken of; 17 for the Kingdom of God 
is not food and drink, but righteousness 
and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. 18 
For he that in these things ^ serves Christ, 
is well-pleasing to God, and approved by 
men. 19 So, then, let us follow after the 
things productive of peace, and the things 
that tend to mutual edification. 20 Do 
not, for the sake of food, overthrow the 
work of God. All things, indeed, are 
clean; but it is evil to him who eats with 
offense. 21 It is good, neither to eat flesh, 
nor to drink wine, nor to do anything 
whereby your brother stumbles. 22 The 
faith which you have, have to yourself be- 
fore God. Happy is he that judges not 
himself in that which he approves. 23 
And he who doubts is condemned, if he 
eat, because he eats not of faith; and all 
that is not of faith is sin. 



2 Or. in this. 



5 One esteems one day above another: because the cere- 
monial law made such, distinctions ; hut the Gospel knows 
no such distinction, except as to the first day of the week. 
Another (the gentile believer) esteems every day alike; 
makes no such distinction. Hence, they should bear with 
one another. Fully convinced in his own mind; let every 
one get the best light he can on the subject, and then, in 
the spirit of true toleration, act upon his convictions. 

6 These different views about food and days should not 
disturb the fellowship of those who are sincerely trying to 
serve the Lord. 

7 No one lives to himself; every true Christian lives for 
Christ, and not for himself. 

8 We are the Lord's; whether we live or die, we belong 
to God, and we should seek to glorify Him in all things. 

9 For to this end; namely, that He might be Lord of 
both living and dead. 

10 Stand be/oj-e the judgment seat of Qod; as God is to 
be our final Judge, we should get ready to meet our own 
judgment, and not waste time in judging one another. 

11 Has heen written; Isa. 45:21-25. 

14 Nothing is unclean of itself; the distinctions between 
different kinds of food and different days, in which no real 
distinction existed, were to be disregarded after they were 
fulfilled by the sacrifice of Christ. It is supposable, how- 
ever, that the prohibition of certain animal food under 



the law, was not an arbitrary matter with the Lord, but 
was based on sufficient reasons. 

15 Grieved; if your brother is grieved because you eat a 
certain kind of meat, you are to forbear eating— at least in 
his sight— the food that he judges to be wrong for you to 
eat. You are to respect his conscience, even if it is based 
on what you think is a mere whim. 

6 Your good; your knowledge of liberty in Christ, or 
freedom from ceremonial forms. Be evil spoken oj; by be- 
coming an occasion of reproach, or of offense to others. 

17 The Kingdom of God; meaning here His rule in the 
hearts and lives of His people. But righteousness, andpeo/ce, 
and joy; when God rules one's life, he is characterized by 
righteous conduct, peace, joy, etc. 

It is evil to him wha eats with offense; this is equally 
true, whether he eats in violation of his own conscience, or 
the conscience of his brother. 

22 The faith which you have; the belief you have in re- 
gard to your liberty in the Gospel, or freedom from effete 
ceremonial requirements. Have to yourself; keep it to 
yourself, until the occasion comes, when you ought to ex- 
press it boldly. 

23 He that doubts ; doubts the lawfulness of a certain 
course of action, and then pursues it, when nothing coerces 
him to do it. 



1 Now 



CHAPTEE XV. 

we, the strong, ought to bear 



the infirmities of the weak, and not to 
please ourselves. 2 Let each one of us 



NOTES ON CHAPTER XV. 
1 The strong; those who are free from all bondage to 



the ceremonial law, and settled and established in Christ. 
Bear the infirmities of the weak: the strong should be pa- 
tient, kind, and helpful in every way to the weak. 



EOMANS 



please his neighbor in that which is good 
for his edification; 3 for even Christ 
pleased not Himself; but, as it has been 
written, "The reproaches of those who re- 
proached you fell on Me." 4 For whatso- 
ever things were written in former times 
were written for our instruction, that we 
through patience and through consolation 
of the Scriptures may have hope. 6 Now 
the God of patience and of consolation 
grant you to be of the same mind one 
with another, according to Christ Jesus; 
6 that with one accord ye may, with one 
mouth, glorify the God and Father of our 
Lord Jesus Christ. 7 Wherefore, receive 
one another, as Christ also received you, 
to the glory of God. 8 For I say that 
Christ hath become a minister of the cir- 
cumcision, in behalf of God's truth, that 
He might confirm the promises made to 
the fathers; 9 and that the gentiles 
might glorify God for His mercy; as it 
has been written, "For this cause, I will 
confess to Thee among the gentiles; and 
to Thy name will I sing praise." 10 And 
again He saith, "Kejoice, ye gentiles with 
His people." 11 And again, "Praise the 
Lord, all ye gentiles, and let all the peo- 
ple extol Him." 12 And again Isaiah 
says, "There shall be the Root of Jesse, 
and He Who riseth up to rule over the 
gentiles, on Him will the gentiles hope." 



13 Now the God of hope fill you with 
all joy and peace in believing, that ye may 
abound in hope, in the power of the Holy 
Spirit. 

14 And I myself also have become per- 
suaded of you, my brethren, that ye your- 
selves also are full of goodness, filled with 
all knowledge, able also to admonish one 
another. 15 But I wrote to you the more 
boldly in part, as reminding you again, 
because of the grace which was given to 
me from God, 16 that I should be a min- 
ister of Jesus Christ to the gentiles, min- 
istering the Gospel of God, that the offer- 
ing up of the gentiles may become accep- 
table, being sanctified by the Holy Spirit. 

17 I have, therefore, my glorying in Christ 
Jesus as to the things pertaining to God. 

18 For I will venture to speak only of the 
things which God wrought through me 
for the obedience of the gentiles, by word 
and deed, 19 in the power of signs and 
wonders, in the power of the Holy Spirit; 
so that from Jerusalem and around as far 
as lllyricum, I have fully dispensed^ the 
Gospel of Christ; 20 and, making it my 
aim so to proclaim the Gospel — not where 
Christ was already named — that I might 
not build upon another's foundation; 21 
but, as it has been written, "Those shall 



Or, liberally supplied. 



2 Please his neighbor; by seeking, in the spirit of kind- 
ness, to promote his good, 

3 Had Christ pleased himself, He would never have con 
sented to lay aside His glory which He had with His Father 
from the first, and take on a human body. The reproaches 
. . . fell on Me: Ps. 69:9. Christ took upon Him all our ill 
condition, including our sins, sufferings, reproaches, etc. 

i. 5 These Scriptures contain just such teachings as 
serve to make the true believer patient and full of consola- 
tion. 

6 With one accord and Wie mouth; in perfect unity of 
feeling and expression. Glorify .God: by manifesting the 
fruit of righteousness in their lives. 

7 Receive one another; to loving fellowship in Christ 

8 A minister of the circumcision; Christ was a Jew, and 
came as the Messiah of the Jews ; dying to make good the 
promises to them first. 

9 That the gentiles might glorify God; because of His 
giving them the same Gospel, as that which was preached 
first to the Jews. As . . . written; Ps. 18:49. 

10 Again He saith; Deut. 32:49, The fact that Moses 
one of God's prophets, commands the gentiles to rejoice 
with God's people, proves that they were included in the 
plan of redemption. 

11 Andagain; Ps. 117:1. This proves the same as above. 

12 Rootof Jesse; Christ. (Isa. 11:10). 

13 The Godof hope; the Author of the Gospel, which 
gives hope in Christ, 

1 4 Full of goodness; lull of love, kindness, patience, and 
sympathy. Fullofalinnowledge; knowledge of the Scrip- 



tures, and of Christ— the Essence of the Scriptures; and 
hence able to admonish one another. 

15 I wrote to you; in the previous part of this essay, 
likely ; as we have no proof that he had written a letter to 
them before this. 

16 The offering up of the gentiles; Paul represents him- 
self as offering up to God the souls of the gentiles, after 
the manner of a priest. Being sanctified by the Holy Spirit; 
the offering being sanctified by the Holy Spirit, through 
the application of the blood of Christ. 

17 I have my glorying; occasion for rejoicing and giving 
praise to God, that his ministry had been so successful, 

18 I uill venture to speak only; others may have claimed 
the credit of the apostle's work, but he would lay no claim 
to theirs. 

19 In the power of signs and wonders ; these signs and 
wonders were wrought through the apostle by the Holy 
Spirit, lllyricum; a province of Rome bordering on Italy 
and Germany. The area, included within the limits of Je- 
rusalem and lllyricum, comprised a large part of the then 
known world, I have fully dispensed; preached, lived, 
taught, enforced, illustrated, and practiced, the Gospel of 
Christ. The word which is here translated dispensed, 
means more than simply to preach it. 

2Q Not where Christ was already named; but in new 
fields, where the Gospel was new to the people, 

21 ^s , . , written; Isa. 52:15. Many who had never 
heard of the Gospel at all. heard it from Paul's lips, and 
were saved. 



ROMANS 



231 



see, to whom nothing was announced con- 
cerning Him; and those who have not 
heard shall understand." 

22 Wherefore, also, I was being hin- 
dered many times from coming to you; 
23 but now, having no longer any place 
in these regions; and, having a desire for 
many years to come to you, 24 whenso- 
ever I go to Spain (for I am hoping, in 
passing through, to see you, and to be sent 
on my way thither by you, if first I have 
been satisfied, in a measure, with your 
company); 25 but now I am going to Je- 
rusalem, ministering to the saints. 26 
For Macedonia and Achaia were well 
pleased to make a certain contribution to 
the poor of the saints who are in Jerusa- 
lem. 27 Indeed, they were well pleased. 



and their debtors they are; for, if the gen- 
tiles were partakers of their spiritual 
things, they ought also to minister to them 
in carnal things. 28 After having com- 
pleted this, and having sealed to them this 
fruit, I will go on by you into Spain; 29 
and I know that, when coming to you, I 
will come in the fulness of the blessing of 
Christ. 

30 And I beseech you, brethren, by our 
Lord Jesus Christ, and by the love of the 
Spirit, to strive together with me in your 
prayers to God for me; 31 that I may be 
delivered from the unbelieving in Judaea, 
and that my ministry to Jerusalem may 
be acceptable to the saints; 32 that, com- 
ing to you in joy through the will of God, 
I may with you be refreshed. 33 And 
the God of peace be with you all. Amen. 



22 Whtrtfort; because of his numerous missionary 
tours, he had been prevented from visiting Rome. 

23 Having no longer any place in these regions; having 
no new field of labor; or having occupied, in a general way. 
a,ll the territory in his part of the country. 

24 Spain: a country west of Italy, in the southern part 
of Europe. 

25 Ministering to the saints : carrying the contributions 
of his gentile converts to the poor saints in Jerusalem. 

27 Macedonia and Achaia: countries of Greece. Their 
debtors they were: the gentile Christians were indebted to 
the Jews for the Gospel. Those who receive spiritual 
blessings should not hesitate to bestow temporal blessings 
upon those who brought them the Gospel— the sum of all 
spiritual good in this life. 



CHAPTER XVI. 

1 I commend to you Phoebe our sister, 
who is a servant^ of the assembly which 
is in Cenchrea; 2 that ye receive her in 
the Lord, worthily of the saints, and as- 
sist her in whatever matter she may have 
need of you; for she herself became a 
helper of many, and of myself. 

3 Salute Prisca and Aquila, my fellow- 
workers in Christ Jesus; 4 who, for my 
soul,^ laid downtheir own necks; to whom 
not only I give thanks, but also all the as 
semblies of the gentiles; 5 and salute the 



1 Or, deaconess. 2 Or. life. 



29 In, the fullness of the blessing of Christ: in the power 
of the Holy Spirit, Who enthrones Christ in the heart by 
His mighty power. (John 1-1:17-20; Eph. 3:16, 17). 

30 By our Lord Jesus Christ: by your interest in Him 
and in His cause here on earth. To strive together with me 
in your prayers: to agonize with me, etc. This is a species 
of prayer that few know much about. 

31 That I may be delivered from the unbelieving Jews; 
the apostle seems to have had a premonition of what was to 
befall, him on his visit to Jerusalem, and the prayer was 
answered so far as delivering him out of the hands of the 
Jews was concerned, (Acts XXI— XXVI). 

32 Refreshed: be encouraged and strengthened for future 
labors and sacrifices for Christ. Next to the fellowship of 
the Holy Trinity is that of the true saints of God. 



assembly that is in her house. Salute 
Epaenetus my beloved, who is the first- 
fruit of Asia unto Christ. 6 Salute Mary, 
who bestowed much labor on you. 7 Sa-- 
lute Andronicus and Junias, my kinsmen, 
and my fellow-prisoners, who, indeed, are 
of note among the apostles, who have been 
in Christ longer than I. 8 Salute Ampli- 
atus, my beloved in the Lord. 9 Salute 
Urbanus, our fellow-worker in Christ, and 
Stachys my beloved. 10 Salute Apelles, 
the approved in Christ. Salute those who 
are of the household of Aristobulus. 11 
Salute Herodion my kinsman. Salute 



NOTES ON CHAPTER XVI. 

The apostle, in the first sixteen verses of this chapter, 
shows his knowledge of many of the members of the as- 
sembly in Rome, and his deep interest in them. 

1 I commend to you Phcebe; a member and a servant— a 
deaconess, it appears from the word used. She was a 
member of the assembly at Cenchrea, and was well ac- 
quainted with Paul. Cenchrea was only about eight 
miles from Corinth. 



2 Eeceive her: give her a cordial welcome, and assist 
her in whatever she may need your help. 

3 Prisca and Aquila, my fellow-workers: Acts 18:2. 3, 
18, 36. 

4 Who laid down their own necks; exposed themselves 
to great peril to save him. Noble tribute! 

5 The assembly in their house; a true Gospel assembly 
may hold its meetings in a private house; thus showing 
the great simplicity of primitive Christianity. 

7 My kinsmen; blood relations. Fellow-prisoners; im- 
prisoned because of their faith in Christ. 



232 



ROMANS 



those of the household of Narcissus who 
are in the Lord. 12 Salute Triphaena and 
Triphosa, who labor in the Lord. Salute 
Persis the beloved, who labored much in 
the Lord. 13 Salute Ruf us, the elect in the 
Lord, and his mother and mine. 14 Salute 
Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermes, Patrobas, 
Hermas, and the brethren who are with 
them. 15 Salute Philologus and Julia, 
Nereus, and his sister, and Olympas, and 
all the saints who are with them. 16 Sa- 
lute one another with a holy kias. All the 
assemblies of Christ salute you. 

17 Now I beseech you, brethren, to 
mark those who are causing the divisions 
and occasions of stumbling, contrary to 
the teaching which ye learned; and turn 
away from them. 18 For those who are 
such are not serving our Lord Christ, but 
their own belly; and, through their kind 
words and flattering speeches, they be- 
guile the hearts of the simple. 19 For 
your obedience reached unto all. I re- 
joice, therefore, over you; but I wish you 
to be wise as to that which is good, but 



simple as to evil. 20 And the God of 
peace shall bruise Satan under your feet 
speedily. The grace of our Lord Jesus 
Christ be with you. 

21 Timothy my fellow-worker salutes 
you; and Lucius, and Jason, and Sosipater, 
my kinsmen, salute you. 22 I, Tertius, 
who write the epistle, salute you in the 
Lord. 23 Gains my host, and of the 
whole assembly, salutes you. Erastus, 
the treasurer of the city, salutes you, and 
Quartus the brother.* 

25 Now to Him Who is able to establish 
you, according to my Gospel and the prop- 
lam ation of Jesus Christ, according to the 
revelation of the mystery kept in silence 
during eternal ages, 26 but now made 
manifest, and through the prophetic Scrip- 
tures, according to the commandment of 
the eternal God, made known to all nations 
for obedience to the faith: 27 to the only 
wise God, through Jesus Christ, be the 
glory forever. Amen. 



{ 



SomeMss. insert v. 24: "The grace of our Lord Jesus 
Christ be with you. Amen," and omit the same words 
from V. 20. 



13 His mother; literally; and mine; figuratively. She 
had, probably, been as kind to the apostle as his own 
mother could have been. 

16 With a holy kiss; a token of love and Christian fel- 
lowship. 

17 Mark\ take note of. Causing the divisions, and occa- 
sions of stumbling; party factions with wrangling and 
strife. Turn away from them; avoid, have no fellowship 
with them. 



Your obedience reached unto all; the report of their 
obedience was very generally known. 

20 Sruise Satan under your feet; give you complete vic- 
tory over him in all things. 

22 Tertius; Paul's amanuensis on this occasion. 

25 Able to establish you; make you stand firm in the 
truth, and give you victory over Satan. 

26 M'or obedience to the faith; that all might believe and 
be saved. 



— THE FIRST 



EPISTLE TO THE CORINTHIAJN^S. 



Corinth, the capital of Achaia, a province of Rome, was situated on the Isthmus that connects the southern Pe- 
ninsula of Greece with the northern portion. It had two ports; Lechaeum on the west, and Cenchrea on the east. The 
city was noted for its wealth and progress in the arts and sciences, and equally so for its luxury and dissoluteness. 

Paul labored here a year and six months (Acts 18:11). and had gathered a considerable assembly of Jewishand 
gentile converts. The gentile portion of the membership did not, for a time at least, escape their former heathenish 
vices. Party strifes were prevalent among them. Boastful teachers sprang up among them, and sought to lead the 
members from the simplicity of the truth; denying the authority of Paul, and seeking to supplant him in the confi- 
dence and affection of the people. 

Meanwhile, certain disorders and abuses had crept into their public meetings, especially in regard to the Lord's 
Supper, the exercise of spiritual gifts, and some of them denied the doctrine of the resurrection. The Corinthians 
had written to Paul for some light on the marriage relation, which he supplies at length. 

The apostle corrects all their errors— which were not fundamental, as were the errors of the Galatians. The 
epistle abounds in reproof, gentle admonition, and affectionate encouragement. The epistle seems to have been writ- 
ten from Ephesus (see ch. 16:8), and about the year. A. D. 57, 

CONTENTS. 

I. Salutation and introduction, (1:1-9). II. Complaints against them, (1:10— VI-20). 1. Factions, (1:10— IV:1- 
20). the false wisdom of the world contrasted with the real wisdom of the Gospel, (1:18—11:1-16). 2. Their carnality, 
(111:1-15). which is an outrage of the Spirit's rights, (111:16, 17). 3. Paul's vindication of himself against the charges 
of some of them. (IV:1-21). 4. The case of incest, (V:l-13— VI:9-20). 5. Their lawsuits. (VI:l-9). III. Paul s an- 
swers to the letters of the Corinthian assembly. 1. Marriage. (¥11:1-40). 2. Heathen feasts, and things offered to 
idols. (VIII— XI: 1). 3. Worship and assemblies. (XI :2— XIV: 1-40). (a) Female head-dress. (XI 2-15). (b) Disorders 
in their love feasts and in the Lord's Supper, (XI:16-34). (c) Gifts of the Spirit, (XII). (d) Love personified, love 
more than all gifts, (XIII— XIV). IV. The resurrection. (XV). (a) Resurrection of Christ. (XV:1-19). (b) Resur- 
rection of the dead, (XV :20-34). (c) Mode of resurrection. (XV :3.5-38). V. Conclusion. (XVI:l-24). 



I. CORIlSTTHIAISra 

CHAPTER I. 

1 Paul, a called apostle of Jesus Christ 
through the will of God, and Sosthenes the 
brother, 2 to the assembly of God which 
is at Corinth, sanctified in Christ Jesus, 
and called saints, with all, in every place, 
who call upon the name of our Lord 
Jesus Christ — their Lord and ours: 3 
Grace he to you, and peace from God our 
Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 

4 I thank my God always concerning 
you, for the grace of God which was given 
you in Christ Jesus; 5 that in every thing 
ye were enriched in Him, in all speech and 
all knowledge; 6 even as the testimony 
of Christ was confirmed in you; 7 so that 
ye fall short in no gift, waiting for the 



revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ; 8 
Who will also confirm you unto the end, 
unaccusable in the day of our Lord Jesus 
Christ. 9 God is faithful, through Whom 
ye were called into the fellowship of His 
Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. 

10 Now I beseech you, brethren, 
through the name of our Lord Jesus 
Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, 
and that there be no divisions among you; 
but that ye be perfected in the same mind, 
and in the same judgment. 11 For it was 
signified to me concerning you, my breth- 
ren, by those of the house of Chloe, 
that there are contentions among you. 
12 Now I mean this: that each one of 
you is saying, "I, indeed, am of Paul;" 
and "I of Apollos;" and "I of Cephas;" 
and ''I of Christ!" 13 Hath Christ 



NOTES ON CHAPTER I. 

1 A called apostle; called by Christ. Most translators 
insert "to be," called to be an apostle; but Christ called 
Paul to the ofloe of an apostle, and he was an apostle in 
virtue of that call with its accompaniments. Sosthenes; 
Acts 18:17. 

3 Sanctified in Christ; denoting their judicial standing 
before the law. The word sanctified in this connection has 
no direct reference to the state, or character of these be- 
lievers, but to their standing in Christ, (see also ch. 6:11; 
Heb. 10:10). All true believers are sanctified in this sense. 
For the use of the word that relates to spiritual character, 
or Christlikeness, see Heb. 12:10. 14; II Cor. 7:1; I Thess. 
3:13; 5:23; Eph. 1:4; 4:24; I Pet. 1:16; etc.). One does not 
begin to live successfully along the line of these Scrip- 
tures, until He has, through the infilling Spirit, enthroned 
Christ in his heart, and has put the government of his be- 
ing all on His shoulder. 



4-7 Paul first names their good qualities, a 
God for them, and brings in their bad points later. He 
refers to the testimony of Christ being confirmed in them; 
that is. they had enjoyed an experience that had confirmed 
the apostle's testimony of Christ. And they fell short in 
no gift; in no gift of the Spirit. 

8 Unaccusable in the day of Jesus Christ; without blame 
at His coming. 

9 God is faithful; faithful to all His promises, as we 
obey and trust Him. 

10 All speak the same thing; being united in faith and 
utterance. 

11 Household of Chloe; some member or members of 
her family. 

12 / am of Paul; they were divided into several fac- 
tions, each, iiaving a different leader. All such parties are 
wrong. lam of Christ; people may be very orthodox, and 
yet manifest pride. 



234 



I. CORINTHIANS 



been divided? Was Paul crucified for 
you? Or were ye immersed into the name 
of Paul? 14 I am thankful that I im 
mersed no one of you, except Crispus 
and Gaius; 15 lest some one should say 
that ye were immersed into my name. 16 
And I immersed also the household of 
Stephanas; besides, I know not whether I 
immersed any other. 17 For Christ sent 
me not to immerse, but to proclaim the 
Gospel; not in wisdom of speech, lest the 
cross of Christ should be made void. 18 
For the word of the cross is to those who 
are perishing, foolishness; but to those 
who are being saved, it is the power of 
God. 19 For it has been written, "I will 
destroy the wisdom of the wise, and the 
discernment of the discerning will I set 
aside." 

20 Where is the wise? Where is the 
scribe ? Where is the disputer of this age ? 
Hath not God made foolish the wisdom of 
the world? 21 For, since in the wisdom of 
God, the world through its wisdom knew 
not God, God was pleased through the fool- 
ishness of preaching to save those who be- 
lieve; 22 since, indeed, both Jews ask for 
signs, and Greeks seek after wisdom, 23 



but we preach Christ crucified; to the Jews, 
indeed, a stumbling-block, and to the gen- 
tiles foolishness; 24 but to those who 
are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ 
the power of God, and the wisdom of God. 
25 Because the foolishness of God is wiser 
than men; and the weakness of God is 
stronger than men. 

26 For ye behold your calling, breth- 
ren, that not many wise according to flesh, 
not many mighty, not many noble, are 
chosen; 27 but God chose the foolish 
things of the world, that He might put 
to shame the wise; and God chose the 
weak things of the world, that He might 
put to shame the things that are strong; 
28 and the base things of the world, 
and things despised, did God choose, 
and the things that are not, that He 
might bring to nought the things that 
are; 29 that no flesh should glory before 
God. 30 But of Him are ye in Christ 
Jesus, Who was made to us wisdom from 
God, also righteousness, and holiness, and 
redemption; 31 that, even as it has been 
written, "He that glorieth, let him glory 
in the Lord." 



14 Crispus and Gaius; Acts 18:8; Rom. 16:23. 

17 Wot to immerse, but to preach the Gospel; Paul did 
not ignore immersion, but lie did not preach it as a saving 
ordinance. It was his special work to unfold doctrines 
and laws of spiritual life. iVo< with wisdom of speech; not 
in profound lectures and elegance of diction. The cross of 
Christ; the doctrine of salvation through the vicarious 
sufferings of Christ. Void; human learning and eloquenc 
hinder, rather than help, the Gospel. 

18 The word of the cross . . . is foolishness; utter nonsense 
to unbelievers. The power of God; those who believe 
realize the power of God. 

19 Written; Isa. 29:14; 38:18; Jer. 8:9. I will destroy 
the wisdom of the wise; by showing that all human wisdom 
could never save a soul. 

20 The scribe; a man learned in the law. Disputer; a 
cunning reasoner or debater. 

2t Through its rvisdom; with all its assumed wisdom, 
the world never knew the true God : and such wisdom is a 
hindrance to saving faith in Christ. 

23 We preach Christ cruciAed: the doctrine of the vica- 
tIous sufferings of Christ, is that upon which the Gospel 
rests; and, without this foundation, there is no Gospel, 



25 The foolishness of God; God's way of salvation 
through the sufferings of Christ, which the world regards 
as foolishness. Wiser than men; men could never have 
devised a way for saving sinners. 

26 Te see your calling; ye see to what ye are called, and 
what sort of lives ye ought to live. Not many wise . . . 
mighty . . . noble; God does not call many Into His serv- 
ice, who are accounted great in the world. 

27. 28 God often chooses the feeblest and most unprom- 
ising instruments, to confound and overthrow the proud 
and mighty. 

29 That no flesh should glory hefore Ood; no human 
greatness or learning can have any share in the Gospel. 

30 Of Bim; of the Father's grace. Ye are in Christ 
Jesus; the true believer is in Christ, and has his standing 
in Him; the Father looking upon Christ, and not at the 
believer. Who was made to us wisdom from Ood; Christ, 
in a judicial sense, is made wisdom to the believer; also 
righteousness, holiness, and redemption— He is all this for 
the believer; but. if we let Him live and rule in us, He im- 
parts His wisdom, etc., to us; giving us, as He does. His 
own nature. 



CHAPTER II. 
1 And I, brethren, when I came to you, 
came not with excellency of speech or of 

NOTES ON CHAPTER II. 
1 Not With excellency of speech; ornate diction, or rhe- 
torical excellence. The mystery ox Ood; as revealed in the 
Gospel of Christ, It was a great mystery, that, through 



wisdom, proclaiming to you the testimony 
of God; 2 for I determined not to know 
anything among you, except Jesus Christ, 

the death and resurrection of One. pardon and eternal life 
should come to millions of others. 

2 The crucified Christ was the central theme in the 
apostle's preaching. 



I CORINTHIANS 



235 



and Him crucified. 3 And I was with 
you in weakness, and in fear, and in much 
trembling. 4 And my speech and my 
preaching were not in persuasive words of 
wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit 
and of power; 5 that your faith should 
not be in the wisdom of men, but in the 
p6wer of God. 

6 But we speak wisdom among the per- 
fect:, yet a wisdom not of this world, nor 
of the rulers of this world, who are com- 
ing to nought; 7 but we speak God's wis- 
dom in a mystery — the hidden wisdom — 
which God predestined before the ages for 
our glory; 8 which no one of the rulers 
of this age^ has known; for had they 
known it, they would not have crucified 
the Lord of glory; 9 but, as it has been 
written, "Things which eye saw not, and 
ear heard not, and that entered not into 
the heart of man — whatsoever things God 
prepared for those who love Him"; 10 



but to us God revealed them through the 
Spirit; for the Spirit searcheth all things 
—even the deep things of God. 11 For 
who of men knows the things of a man, 
except the spirit of the man that is in 
him? even so the things of God no one 
has known, except the Spirit of God. 12 
And we received, not the spirit of the 
world, but the Spirit Who is of God; that 
we may know the things freely given us 
by God. 13 Which things also we speak, 
not in words taught by human wisdom, 
but in those taught by the Spirit; combin- 
ing'^ spiritual things with spiritual. 14 
But a naturaF man receives not the things 
of the Spirit of God; for they are foolish- 
ness to him; and he cannot know them, 
because they are spiritually judged.* 15 
But he that is spiritual judges all things; 
but he himself is judged by no one. 16 
For who knew the mind of the Lord, that 
he should instruct Him ? But we have the 
mind of Christ. 



Or. world. 



2 Or. comparing. 3 Or, soulish. i Or, examined. 



3 III weakness, in fear, in nvuch trembling; lie felt his 
own insufaoienoy for so great a task; he was in peril much 
of the time from enemies of the Gospel. 

4 Persuasive words of -wisdom; such as the Greek and 
Koman orators used. In demonstration of the Spirit, and 
of power; the power of God was displayed through his 
preaching, and many were saved and healed; the Holy 
Spirit being the Agent through Whom this power was dis- 
pensed. (Acts 1:8). 

5 Not be in men's wisdom; but in Divine power. 

6 We speak, wisdom; Divine wisdom. Among the perfect; 
those of mature understanding, resulting from the Spirit's 
teachings— or those taught of God. That come to nought; 
all worldly wisdom must perish. 

7 God's wisdom in a mystery; the Gospel is a glorious 
mystery, embodying the wonderful wisdom of God. For 
our glory; that we may share in the glory of Christ now 
and forever, (John 17:22). 

8 Would not have crucified the Lord of glory; had the 
Jews understood that Christ was appointed by the Father 
to redeem men, they would not have crucified Him, (Acts 
2:33). 

9 As . . . written; Isa. 64:4. 

10 To us; to all who are truly taught by the Spirit. 
Searcheth all things; carefully examineth. and thoroughly 
understandeth all things. 



11 The things of a man; his secret thoughts, and hid- 
den motives, principles, and desires. The spirit of a man 
knows something of these hidden actions and impulses, 
which are hidden from others. 

12 The true believer drops the spirit of the world, and 
accepts the Spirit of God; and through This Spirit he 
learns many of the deep things of God. 

In the words which the Holy Spirit teacheth; the Holy 
Spirit taught the apostles, not only what to communicate, 
but supplied the words to be used. So now those who are 
fully yielded to the Lord will have His teaching and guid- 
ance, so far as these are needed in God's service. 

14 The natural man; the soulish man, that minds the 
things of the flesh, (Rom. &:o). Receives not the things of the 
Spirit; does not understand or appreciate them. Cannot 
know them; because he is wanting the very nature (the 
spiritual) that is essential to knowing them. A blind man 
cannot see. 

15 He that is spiritual; he that is born of the spirit, and 
taught by the Spirit. Judges all things; rightly discerns 
spiritual things, loves them, and judges wisely concerning 
them. Be himself is judged by no one,- the unconverted 
do not understand, and their judgment is worthless as 
against the truly spiritual. Only those who are taught by 
the same Spirit, and along the same lines, can under- 
stand one another. 



CHAPTEE HI. • 

1 And I, brethren, could not speak to 
you, as to spiritual, but as to carnal — as 
to babes ^ in Christ. 2 I fed you with 



Or. a young believer. 



milk, and not solid food; for not yet were 
ye able to bear it; nay, nor even now are 
ye able; 3 for ye are yet carnal; for 
whereas there is among you jealousy and 
strife, are ye not carnal, and do ye not 



NOTES ON CHAPTER III. 
1 Spiritual; developed in spiritual matters, able to un- 
derstand the Gospel. Carnal; largely under the influence 
of the self-life, or undeveloped in spiritual things. 



2 Milk; digested food, the primary truths of the Gos- 
pel. Solid food; "strong meat," or the more advanced 
truths of the Gospel. Because young converts, generally, 
are not properly taught, they remain only babes. 



236 



I. COEINTHIANS 



walk as men? 4 For, when one says, "I 
am of Paul;" and another, "I am of 
Apollos; " are ye not carnal?^ 5 What, 
then, is Apollos? and what is Paul? Min- 
isters through whom ye believed; and as 
the Lord gave to each. 6 I planted, Apol- 
los watered; but God causeth it to grow. 
7 So that neither is he that plants any- 
thing, nor he that waters; but God Who 
causeth it to grow. 8 And he that plants 
and he that waters are one; but each shall 
receive his own reward,* according to his 
own labor. 9 For we are God's fellow- 
workers; ye are God's husbandry,* God's 
building, 

10 According to the grace of God which 
was given to me, as a wise master-builder, 
I laid a foundation; and another builds 
thereon. But let each one take heed how 
he builds thereon; 11 for other founda- 
tion can no man lay than that which is 
laid, which is Jesus Christ. 12 And, if 
any one builds on the foundation gold, 
silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stub- 
ble; 13 the work of each one shall be 
made manifest; for the day shall declare 



it, because it is revealed in fire; and the 
fire itself will prove each one's work, of 
what sort it is. 14 If any one's work 
which he built thereon shall remain,* he 
shall receive a reward. 15 If any one's 
work shall be burned up, he will suffer 
loss, but he himself shall be saved; yet so 
as through fire. 

16 Know ye not that ye are a temple of 
God, and that the Spirit of God is dwell- 
ing in you? 17 If any one destroys the 
temple of God, him will God destroy; for 
the temple of God is holy, and such are 

ye. 

• 18 • Let no one deceive himself. If any 
one among you thinks that he is wise in 
this world, let him become a fool, that he 
may become wise. 19 For the wisdom of 
this world is foolishness with God; for it 
has been written, "He Who taketh the 
wise in their craftiness." 20 And again, 
"The Lord knoweth the reasonings of the 
wise, that they are vain." 

21 Therefore, let no one glory in men; 
for all things are yours; 22 whether 



2 Some read, i 



Or, wages. 4 Or, Held. 



3 Carnal . . . and walk as men; selfish, and controlled 
lay the natural man as other men. Yet these are the ones 
who were said (ch. 1:2; 6:11) to be "sanctified in Christ." 
S. 5.— Babes in Christ have the foundation of the Christ- 
life laid in them (v, 11); and now they need to surrender 
themselves to the Lord, and learn to live the Spirit-filled 
life, with Christ enthroned in their hearts, (John 14:17-21; 
Eph. 3:16, 17) ; then they will no longer be mere babes, but 
sons of God, (Rom. 8:15), with the privilege of living in 
victory all the time, (Gal. 5:16, 22-24), 

8 Se that plants, and he that waters are one; engaged in 
one common work ; and there should be no factions formed 
around any one of God's laborers; but all should be es- 
teemed for their work's sake. Sis own reward; according 
to the Quantity and Quality of his wprk. 

9 God's fellow-laborers; God as efficient cause, and we 
as His instruments. God's husbandry; or Jiis&elA. What 
an honor to work with God and to work for Him! He will 
credit us with all we will let Him do through usi God's 
building; each member of His body being a living stone 
in this wonderful building, (I Pet. 2. 3). 

10 I laid a foundation; Paul preached the Gospel, and 
gathered believers into different local assemblies; then 
Apollos and others followed him in his labors. Take heed 
how he builds thereon; let every one be careful to build 
with proper material, in the use of the doctrines and ordi- 
nances of the Gospel. 

11 Jesus Christ; the only sure foundation. In regenera- 
tion the life of Christ is planted in the believer by the 
Holy Spirit, as the foundation upon which the Holy Trin- 
ity would, in co-operation with each believer, build a 
character to the praise and glory of God, (Eph. 4:13, 15, 34). 

18 QoW,, silver, precious stones; representing indestruct- 
ible material— these are works done in the power of the 



5 Or, abide. 

Holy Spirit; or, it we keep up the figure of a house, it is 
adding to it real converts, whose lives are to the praise ot 
God. Wood, hay, stubble; combustible elements, or error. 
evil works, etc. ; or it may refer to the addition of uncon- 
verted people to the local assembly. 

13 Made manifest; have its real character revealed. The 
day; the day of judgment. As fire shows the difference 
between gold and wood, silver and hay, precious stones and 
stubble; so the judgment will reveal the difference be- 
tween the works of men. 

14 If any one's work shallremain: after the fires of the 
judgment have tested them. A reward; suitable to his 
works. 

15 If one's work shall be burned up ; condemned, because 
it was out of harmony with God's word. He shall suffer 
loss; will lose his labor, and have no reward. Be himself; 
as being a "babe in Christ," having the foundation of the 
Christ-life laid in him. Shall be saved; shall not be cast 
into Hell, but saved so as by fire; as one escaping from a 
burning house, empty-handed— barely saved. 

16 Te are a temple of God; an assembly of true believers 
is spoken of as a temple of God; and each believer's body 
is declared Oo be " a temple of the Holy Spirit," (ch. 6:19). 
In Eph. 2:20-22; I Peter 2:5; Heb. 12:22,23, all the saved, 
referred to as a whole, are spoken of as a building, house, 
and habitation of God in the Spirit. 

17 If any one destroys the temple of God; if any one cor- 
rupts with false doctrine, and thus destroys a local as- 
sembly of God, he will reap dire retribution. 

\S .Deceive himself; by thinking too highly of himself. 
(Rom. 12:3). Become a /oo J ;gin the world's esteem. Mav 
become wise; get the true wisdom of God. 

19 WritUn; Job 5:12. 13. 

20 Again; Ps. 94:11. 



I. CORINTHIANS 



237 



Paul, or Apollps, or Cephas, or the world, 
or life, or death, or things present, oi 



22 All things are youfs; all preachers, and teachers, and 
all things related to us. are ours in some true sense. (Rom. 



things to come, all are yours; 23 and ye 
a/'e Christ's: and Christ is God"s. 



8:28). Though all things (in a sense) are ours, yet we act- 
ually have only so much as we really take. 



CHAPTER IV. 

1 Let a man so consider us, as servants 
of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries 
of God. 2 Here, moreover, it is required 
in stewards, that one be found faithful. 
3 But, with me, it is a very small thing, 
that I should be judged by you, or by 
man's day;^ yea, I do not ev^en judge my- 
self. 4 For I am conscious to myself of 
nothing; yet have I not thereby been jus- 
tified; but He Who judges me is the Lord. 
5 Wherefore, judge nothing before ihe 
time, until the Lord come, Who will both 
Ibring to light the hidden things of dark- 
ness, and make manifest the counsels of 
the hearts; and then will each one have 
his praise from God. 

6 Now these things, brethren, I have, in 
a figure, transferred to myself and Apol- 
los for your sakes; that in us ye may learn 
not to go beyond the things which have 
been written; that no one be puffed up 
for the one against the other. 7 For who 
makes you to differ? And what do you 
have, that you did not receive? But, if 
you did receive it^ why are you boasting, 
as if you did not receive itf 8 Have ye 
already become satisfied? Did ye already 



1 Or. human judament. 



become rich? Did ye reign without us? 
I wish, at least, that ye did reign, that we 
also might reign with you. 9 For, I 
think, God did set forth us the apostles 
last, as doomed to death; because we be- 
came a spectacle to the world, both to an- 
gels and to men. 10 We are fools for 
Christ's sake, but ye are wise in Christ; 
we are weak, but ye are strong; ye are 
highly esteemed; but we are without 
honor. 11 Even until this present hour, 
we both hunger, and thirst, and are naked, 
and are buffeted, and have no certain 
dwelling place; 12 and we toil, laboring 
with our own hands; being reviled, we 
bless; being persecuted, we endure; 13 
being defamed, we entreat; we were made 
as the filth of the world, the offscouring 
of all things, until now. 

14 Not as shaming you, do I write these 
things, but as my beloved children, admon- 
ishing you. 15 For, though ye have ten 
thousand tutors in Christ, yet ye have not 
many fathers; for in Christ Jesus I begat 
you through the Gospel. 16 I beseech 
you, therefore, become imitators of me. 
17 For this cause, I sent to you Timothy, 
who is my child, beloved and faithful in 
the Lord, who will bring to your remem- 
brance my ways which are in Christ, even 



NOTES ON CHAPTER IV. 

1 Ministers of Christ; not of men; no partisan. Stew- 
ards of the mysteries of God: a steward is a manager of 
another's husiness. Ministers, under God, are dispensers 
•of the mysteries of His grace, as revealed in Christ. 

2 Faithful: in dealing out the provisions of the Gospel 
to believers ; giving to each his portion of food in due sea- 
son, (Luke 12:42); keeping back nothing that is profitable, 
<Acts 20:20). 

3 Judged by you: as to my faithfulness as God"s stew- 
ard. Or by a human day; a day of human judgment, or 
liuman j udgment. 

4 Conscious to myself of nothing; nothing against me. 
Thereby been justified; not our judgment, but God's, will 

settle our real standing. 

5 Christ, at His coming, will pass final judgment upon 
all our works, bringing out all the secrets of our hearts, 
If we stand His judgment, we will receive praise from 
Him. 

,6 In a figure, transferred to myself and Apollos: though 
what he had said would apply equally to others, he did not 
wish to give needless offense to the ambitious teachers in 
their midst. Beyond what is written; beyond the wrii 
-word. They should judge of the merits of men by the 
Standard of God's word. 



7 God is the Author and Giver of all good gifts; and, if 
any glory is to be given to any one, it is due to God. 

8 It seems better to translate these as questions. Save 
ye already become satisfied: with your spiritual gifts and 
attainments— are you satisfied with your riches? Did you 
reign without us; if they were real kings, in the spiritual 
sense, he was ready to come and enjoy a co-ordinate place 
with them, rather than to blush for their many failures 
and weaknesses. 

9 Last, as doomed to death; lowest among those con- 
signed to death. 

10 Fools: regarded as such by the self-styled wise. 
For Christ's sake: because of their ardent attachment to 
Him. Te are wise; in your own conceits. 

11-13 In these verses the apostle summarizes the hard- 
ships and reproaches that had fallen to his lot, and of his 
patient spirit in them all. 

14 Not as shaming you; not to shame you. but to cor- 
rect your follies, as my children. 

15 / begat you; Paul was God's instrument in their re- 
generation, in the use of the Gospel. 

16 Become imitators of me; imitate my example as a fol- 
lower of Jesus. ■ ' Follow me as I follow Christ. ' ' 

17 My ways: my method of living and teaching. 



I. CORINTHIANS 



as I teach everywhere in every assembly. 
18 Now some are puffed up, as though 
I were not coming to you; 19 but I will 
come to you shortly, if the Lord will; and 
I will know, not the word of those who 



are puffed up, but the power; 20 for the 
Kingdom of God is not in word, but in 
power. 21 What do ye wish? Shall I 
come to you with a rod, or in love and a 
spirit of gentleness? 



18 Puffed up; because ot their supposed wisdom and 
knowledge, 

19 Will know; test, prove. Not the word, hut Ihe power; 
words are cheap; I will see what power they have. If 
preachers are to be judged by their power rather than 
their words, how many will fall shorti 

20 Not in word; God's Kingdom, or His cause in the 



world, rests not upon words, but upon power— the power 
of God displayed through His true ministers. 

21 What do ye wish; will ye heed my reproofs, and cor- 
rect your excesses, follies, and sins, and thus open the 
way for a friendly visit ; or will you disregard my warnings, 
and thus make it necessary for me to visit you with dis- 
cipline? 



CHAPTER Y. 

1 Actually there is reported among you 
fornication, and such fornication as exists 
not even among the gentiles, that one of 
you should have his father's wife ! 2 And 
ye have become puffed up, and did not 
rather mourn, that he who did this deed 
might be taken away from you. 3 For I, 
indeed, being absent in the body, but pres- 
ent in the Spirit, have already, as if pres- 
ent, judged him who so wrought this; 4 
in the name of our Lord Jesus, ye being 
gathered together, and my spirit, with the 
power of our Lord Jesus, to deliver such 
a one to Satan for the destruction of the 
flesh, that his spirit may be saved in 
the day of the Lord. 6 Your boasting is 
not good. Know ye not that a little leaven 
leavens the whole lump ? 7 Purge out the 
old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, 
even as ye are unleavened. For our pass- 



over was sacrificed, even Christ; 8 there- 
fore, let us keep the feast, not with old 
leaven, nor with the leaven of malice and 
wickedness, but with the unleavened bread, 
of sincerity and truth. 

9 I wrote to you, in my letter, not to 
keep company with fornicators; 10 not 
at all meaning, with the fornicators of this 

orld, or with the covetous and extortion- 
ers, or idolaters; since ye ought, in that 
event, to go out of the world; 11 but, as 
it is, I wrote not to keep company, if any- 
one, called a brother, be a fornicator, or 
covetous, or an idolator, or a reviler, or a 
drunkard, or an extortioner — with such a 
one, not even to eat. 12 For what have I 
to do with judging those who are without? 
Do not ye judge those who are within? 
13 But those who are without God judg- 
eth. Put away that wicked man from 
among yourselves. 



NOTES ON CHAPTER V. 

1 As exists not among Vie gtntiUs; even the heathen 
would, as a rule, revolt at the idea, that a son might 
marry his own father's wife I 

2 Puffed up; with their assumed superiority in knowl- 
edge and wisdom. 

3 Present in the Spirit; it was in the power and illum- 
ination of the Holy Spirit, rather than in his own spirit, 
that the apostle could understand the situation so well at 
a distance, and act as with them. 

4 In the name; in the power and authority of Christ 
Himself; for His name stands for Himself. 

To deliver such a one to Satan ; Satan has a mysterious 
part to perform in the punishment of Christians, (see I 
Tim. 1:20). 

6 Tour hoasting is not good; not fitting; rather you 
should blush, and weep I 

7 Purge out the old leaven; get rid ot this corrupt per- 
son, and thus keep the whole body of saints from being de- 



CHAPTER VI. 

1 Dare any one of you, having a matter 
against another, go to law before the un- 



filed. As the Jews, before eating the passover, were to put 
leaven out ot their houses, (Ex. 12:15; 13:6. 7) ; so an as- 
sembly of Christ should put away all known and public 
scandals from their body. 

8 Keep the feast; the spiritual feast set before them in 
Jesus Christ. To enjoy the feast fully, all the leaven 
should be put away from each individual heart, as well as 
any notorious sinner from the assembly. 

9 Tn an epistle; one that, most likely, was lost. 

10 In giving instruction not to associate with adulter- 
ous members, the apostle did not mean that the members 
should have no sort of association with adulterers that 
were ■)iot members; for, in that event, they could scarcely 
be able to atttend to any business at all. 

U This verse teaches that we are not to recognize, as 
real Christians, adulterers, covetous persons, idolaters, 
revilers, drunkards, or extortioners— any such, this verse 
would exclude from the Lord's Supper. 

12 A true assembly should look after the moral stand- 
ing of their members, and withdraw from the unworthy. 

righteous, and not before the saints? 2 
Or Jinow ye not that the saints will judge 
the world? And, if the world is judged 



NOTES ON CHAPTER VI. 
<re the unrighteous; before heathen judges. 



2 Saints shall judge the world; under Christ, and durinif 
theiVIillennium, (Rev. 3:21; 20:3, 4). 



I. CORINTHIANS 



by you, are ye unworthy of the smallest 
tribunals? ^ 3 Know ye not that we shall 
judge angels? how much more, then, 
things pertaining to this life? 4 If, then, 
ye have tribunals pertaining to this life, 
do ye set those to judge who are set at 
nought in the assembly? 5 I speak to 
your shame! Is it so, that there is not 
among you even one wise man, who will 
be able to judge between his brethren! 6 
But brother goes to law with brother, and 
that before unbelievers! 7 Already, in- 
deed, therefore, it is wholly a defeat^ for 
you, that ye have law -suits one with an- 
other! Why not rather suffer wrong? 
Why not rather be defrauded? 8 But ye 
yourselves do wrong, and defraud, and 
that your brethren! 9 Or know ye not 
that the unrighteous shall not inherit the 
Kingdom of God? Be not deceived: 
neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor 
adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers* 
of themselves with men, 10 nor thieves, 
nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, 
nor extortioners, shall inherit the King- 
dom of God. 11 And such* were some of 
you; but ye were washed, but ye were 
sanctified, but ye were justified in the 



1 Ox.to judge the smallest matters. 2 OTi,aloss. 3 Or, 
Sodomites. 4 Gr. These thinas. 



name of the Lord Jesus, and in the Spirit 
of our God. 

12 All things are lawful for me; but all 
are not profitable. All things are lawful 
forme; but I will not be brought under 
the control of any. 13 Foods are for the 
stomach, and the stomach for foods; but 
God will bring to nought both this and 
these. But the body is not for fornica- 
tion, but for the Lord; and the Lord for 
the body; 14 and God both raised the 
Lord, and will raise up us through His 
power. 15 Know ye not that your bodies 
are members of Christ? Shall I, then, 
taking away the members of Christ, make 
them members of a harlot? It could not 
be! 16 Or know ye not that he who is 
united to the harlot is one body? For, 
"■'the two", He saith, "shall be one 
flesh"; 17 but he who is united to the 
Lord is one spirit. 18 Flee fornication. 
Every sin which a man commits is without 
the body; but he that commits adultery 
sins against his own body. 19 Or know 
ye not that your body is a temple of the 
Holy Spirit, Who is in you, Whom ye 
have from God, and that ye are not your 
own? 20 For ye were bought with a 
price; glorify God, therefore, in your 
body. 



3 Shall judge angels; the full overcomers, it appears, 
■will witlx Jesus have dominion over the heavenly hosts, 

i Tribunals; courts of justice, where law-suits are de- 
cided. Would you place one to judge in whom the mem- 
bers have no confidence? This seems to imply a negative 
answer. Then do ye have more confidence in a heathen 
judge than you do in the lowest order of Christians? Yet 
you do call heathen judges to decide your suits I What a 
shame I 

7. 8 Wholly a defeat; you really lose your case, in the 
judgment of the Highest Tribunal, in the very fact that 
you goto law among yourselyes. You had better suffer 
wrong, or be defrauded, than to attempt to get justice at 
the expense of brotherly love and fellowship, or than to 
expose the assembly of God to such indignity ! 

10 Persons who are habitually guilty of any of the 
things mentioned in this verse ought not to suppose that 
they will have any inheritance or even a place in Heaven 

11 Such were some of you; some of the Corinthians be- 
fore their conversion. Ye were sanctified; received a holy 
standing in Christ, (see ch. 1:2). 

12 All things are lawful; all things which are not for- 
bidden. All things are not proAtahle; some do not edify; 
and these should be dropped. Will not he brought under 
the control of any; would not yield to any outward te: 
tation. but resist it firmly. 

13 God will bring to nought; both the stomach and food 
are temporary expedients. Body for the Lord; He made 
it and redeemed it. and it should be used for His glory 
The Lord is for the body; for its cleansing, healing, life. 



health, and final redemption, (see John 15:2; Ps. 103:3-5; 
Rom.8:ll; IIIJohn2; ch, 15). 

15 Our bodies are members of Christ; our bodies, as 
parts of ourselves, have been redeemed; and He has made 
each one of His true followers a member of His own body, 
(Rom. 12:5). 

16 This verse teaches that the man who is united to a 
harlot identifies himself with corruption and sin. 

17 United to the Lord is one spirit; one spirit with 
Christ, (see Ezek. 36:26; John 3:5. 6). 

18 Flee; do not stop to think of the awful sin. but flee 
at once. Every sin . . . is without the body; every sin 
originates in the sin- principle, and not in the body; but 
the body Is often made the instrument of sin, (Rom. 6:13, 
19). Sins against his body; by prostituting it to base ends, 
as in vs. 15. 16. 

19 Tour body is a temple of the Holy Spirit; the body of 
every truly converted person belongs to the Holy Spirit to 
use as His temple. What a crime it must be to pollute the 
body, and rob Him of His rightful abode! What unspeak- 
able wrong is such a course upon the believer himself I 

20 Bought with a price; I Pet. 1:18. 19. Glorify God in 
your body; by yielding it to the Spirit as His temple, and 
thus bid Him work in you all the good pleasure of His 
will, (see Eph. 3:16-19; II Cor. 3:18; Gal. 5:22. 23). Note.— 
The price paid for the ransom of man was the highest ever 
paid for anything. It involved the incarnation of the Sec- 
ond Person in the God-head. His temporary loss of the glo- 
ries of Heaven. His assumption of the sins of the world, 
and His crucifixion as a public felon I What a price! 



240 



I. CORINTHIANS 



CHAPTER VII. 

1 Now concerning the things of which 
ye wrote: It is good for a man not to 
touch a woman; 2 but, because of forni- 
cation, let each man have his own wife, 
and let each woman have her own husband. 
3 Let the husband render to the wife lier 
due; and, in like manner, the wife to the 
husband. 4 The wife has not authority 
over her own body, but the husband; and, 
in like manner also, the husband has not 
authority over his own body, but the wife. 
5 Defraud not one the other, except by 
consent for a season, that ye may have 
leisure for prayer, and may be together 
again, that Satan tempt you not because 
of your incontinency . 6 But this I say by 
way of permission, not of command. 7 
And I wish all men to be even as myself. 
Each one, however, has his own gift from 
God; one, indeed, after this manner, and 
another, after that. 

8 Now I say to the unmarried and to the 
widows, it is good for them, if they remain 
even as I am. 9 But, if they have not con- 
tinency, let them marry; for it is better to 
marry than to burn. 10 And to the mar- 
ried I give command — not I, but the 
Lord — that the wife depart not from Tier 
husband; 11 but if she even depart, let 
her remain unmarried, or let her be rec- 
onciled to her husband; and that the hus- 
band leave not his wife. 12 But to the 



rest say I, not the Lord: If any brother 
has an unbelieving wife, and she is pleased 
to dwell with him, let him not leave her. 
13 And, if any wife has an unbelieving 
husband, and he is pleased to dwell with 
her, let her not leave her husband. 14 
For the unbelieving husband has been 
sanctified in the wife, and the unbelieving 
wife has been sanctified in the husband; 
else your children are unclean; but as it 
is they are holy. 15 But, if the unbeliev- 
ing departs, let him depart. The brother 
or the sister has not come into bondage in 
such cases; but God hath called us in 
peace. 16 For what do you know, O wife, 
whether you will save your husband? Or 
what do you know, O husband, whether 
you will save your wife? 17 Only, as the 
Lord hath distributed to each one, as God 
hath called each one, so let him walk. 
And so I ordain in all the assemblies, 18 
Was any one called, having been circum- 
cised? let him not become uncircumcised. 
Has any one been called in uncircumcis- 
ion? let him not be circumcised. Circum- 
cision is nothing, and uncircumcision • is 
nothing; but the keeping of the command- 
ments of God. 20 Let each one abide in 
that calUng in which he was called. 21 
Were you called, being a slave? care not 
for it; but, even if you can become free, 
use it rather. 22 For he that was called 
in the Lord, being a slave, is the Lord's 
freedman: likewise, he that was called, be- 



NOTES ON CHAPTER VII. 

1 GooA for a man; under the peculiar trials of that 
time. Not to touch a woman: not to marry. 

2 On account of fornication; to avoid it. 

3 Her due; the consideration due her in the conjugal 
relation, (Eph. 5:25. 28, 33). The wife; the wife should give 
the husband his dues also. 

4 Has not authority; to live apart without mutual con- 
sent. 

5 Defraud not; by separation. Except hy consent; mu- 
tual agreement. Every safeguard against impurity should 
be observed. 

7 Even as myself; contentedly unmarried. His own 
gifts; relating here to control over one's animal passions. 

8 Good for them; to remain unmarried as Paul was. 

9 To burn; to be inflamed with ungratified passion. 

10 But the Lord; Matt. 5:32; 39:3-10. 

U // she depart; she has no Scripture authority to 
marry again, until her husband is dead, (Matt. 5:32; 1 
Luke 16:18; Rom. 7:3). 

12. 13 Unbelief on the part of either husband or wife is 
not. in itself, a ground for severing the conjugal relation; 
but. if the unbelieving one will not remain in that relation 
because the other is a Christian, there is no remedy but to 
let the malcontent go; but neither is at liberty, under the 
Gospel, to marry again, until the other is dead. 



14 The unbelieving husband or wife is sanctified, in a 
ceremonial sense, in conjugal relationship with the other, 
who is a believer. The fact that one parent has become a 
Christian does not alter the relation of their children to 
the law under which they were born. If they were legiti- 
mate before, they continue such. 

16 The pious Christian wife may win her husband to 
GarisX.; a,n6.. vice versa. 

17 As God Jias distributed to each one; assigned him his 
lot and place in life. So let him walk; let him, as a rule, 
continue in the business he was engaged in before he be- 
came a Christian, Of course, if the business itself was 
wrong, he would be required to quit it. God, too, has a 
right to change the work of His people, as He may see fit. 

18, 19 Paul here clearly teaches that the right of circum- 
cision has no spiritual significance— in fact, effete, worth- 
less. 

21 If one is a slave, the mere fact of his conversion does 
not annul his relation to his master. If you can 'become 
free; by proper means. Use it rather; be free, and enjoy 
your liberty. So the apostle taught; but yet the apostle 
should not be understood to sanction the underlying prin- 
ciples of slavery. 

22 The Lord's freedman; the political slave, if a Chris- 
tian, is the Lord's freedman, (Gal. 3:13). And the freeman, 
who becomes a Christian, becomes the slave [ear-bored] 
ot Christ. 



I. CORINTHIANS 



241 



ing free, is Christ's slave. 23 Ye were 
bought with a price; become not slaves of 
men. 24 Brethren, let each one abide 
with God in the same condition in which 
he was called. 

25 Now, concerning the virgins, I have 
no commandment of the Lord; but I give 
my judgment, as having received mercy 
from the Lord to be faithful. 26 I think, 
therefore, that this is good on account of 
the impending distress; namely^ that it is 
good for a man to be thus.^ 27 Have you 
become bound to a wife? Seek not a re- 
lease.^ Have you been loosed from a 
wife? seek not a wife. 28 But, even if 
you marry, you did not sin; and, if a vir- 
gin marry, she did not sin. Yet such will 
have tribulation in the flesh; and I am 
sparing you. 29 But this I say, brethren, 
the time has been shortened; that hence- 
forth both those who have wives may be 
as though they had none; 30 and those 
who weep, as though they wept not; and 
those who rejoice, as though they rejoiced 
not; and those who buy, as though they 
possessed not; 31 and those who use the 
world, as not using it to the full; for the 
fashion of this world is passing away. 32 
But I wish you to be free from anxieties. 
The unmarried man is anxious for the 
things of the Lord, how he may please the 
Lord; 33. but he that is married is anx- 
ious for the things of the world, how he 



may please his wife, 34 and has become 
divided.* The unmarried woman and the 
virgin is anxious for the things of the Lord, 
that she may be holy both in body and 
spirit; but she that is married is anxious 
for the things of the world, that she may 
please her husband. 

35 And this I say for your own profit; 
not that I may cast restraint^ upon you, 
but for that vjhich is seemly, and compat- 
ible with constant devotion to the Lord 
without distraction. 36 But, if any one 
thinks that he behaves himself unseemly 
toward his virgin dmtghter, if she be be- 
yond the prime of life, and thus it ought 
to be brought about, let him do what he 
wishes, he sins not; let them marry. 37 
But he who has been standing steadfast in 
his heart, having no necessity, but has au- 
thority respecting his own will, and has 
determined this in his own heart, that he 
will keep his own virgin daughter^ will 
do well. 38 So that both he that gives 
his own virgin dcmghter in marriage does 
well; and he that gives her not in marriage 
will do better. 

39 A wife is bound as long as her hus- 
band lives; but, if her husband fall asleep, 
she is at liberty to be married to whom 
she will; only in the Lord. 40 But she 
is happier, if she abides as she is, accord- 
ing to my judgment; and I think that I 
also have the Spirit of the Lord. 



Or. as he is. 2 Or. divorce. 



' Mss. differ here, 3 Gr. Chord. 



23 Bought with a price; redeemed from sin and eternal 
death by the precious hlood of Christ, (I Peter 1:18, 19). 
Be not slaves of men; do everything as unto the Xiord, Who 
is your real Master, (Eph. 6:5-8). 

25 1 have no command of the Lord; respecting virgins, 
ret I give my judgment ; in the absence of specific direc- 
tions from the Lord. 

26 On account ox the impending distress; the perilous 
condition of things under the cruel Roman government. 
To he thus; to remain single, as he was. 

28 I am. sparing you : the apostle's advice, if followed, 
would be likely, under the condition of things then exist- 
ing, to make their troubles less, than if they should marry. 

29, 30 Be as though they had not; become so absorbed in 
the service of Christ, and live so high above the world, that 
these temporary things, which will soon pass away, will 
scarcely attract their attention at all ; and so of all the sim- 
ilar injunctions following this. 

31 Not using it to the full; not using it wastefuUy, or 
excessively. 

33, 33 The unmarried, if they will, can give all their time 
to the Lord, and have more leisure for service, than the 
married. 

34 He has become divided; the married man, or woman. 



is divided between the Lord and the other party to the con- 
jugal relation. 

35 JVot that I may cast restraint upon you; Paul did not 
wish to bind them by his suggestions, but to enable them 
to have as little anxiety, and as much time to serve the 
Lord, as possible. 

36 Acts unbecomingly: in withholding one's own daugh- 
ter, or female under his care, from marriage. If she is re- 
solved to marry, and is of proper age, he should withdraw 
his objections. 

37 Having no necessity; if circumstances do not call for 
her marriage, the father does well to let her remain un- 
married. 

38 Re that gives in marriage; when the conditions re- 
quire it. Does well. Gives not in marriage; •wh.&a.oircnm.- 
stances do not require it. Will do better; better for all 
concerned, or for his daughter, especially. 

39 Only in the Lord; only within the limits of true 
Christianity. The Scriptures oppose the marriage of be- 
lievers to disbelievers; and there is much unhappiness, 
because the Scripture teaching on this subject is not 
heeded. If Christians would trust the Lord to direct 
them in the matter of marriage, there would be many 
happy families, where now there is much strife. 



242 



I. CORINTHIANS 



CHAPTER VIII. 

1 Now, concerning the things sacrificed 
to idols, we know (because we all have 
knowledge. Knowledge puffs up, but love 
builds up. 2 If anyone thinks that he has 
known anytliing, not yet did he know it as 
he ought to know it; 3 but, if anyone 
loves God, the same has been known by 
Him): 4 concerning, therefore, the eating 
of things sacrificed to idols, we know that 
an idol is nothing in the world, and that 
there is no God but One. 5 For, even if 
there are things called gods, whether in 
heaven, or on earth (as there are gods 
many, and lords many); 6 yet to us there 
is One God, the Father, of Whom are all 
things, and we for^ Him; and One Lord 
Jesus Christ, through Whoma/'g all things, 
and we through Him. 7 But this knowledge 



1 Gr. Into, or unto. 



is not in all; but some, by familiarity with 
the idol even until now, eat it as an idol- 
sacrifice; and their conscience, being weak, 
is defiled. 8 But food will not commend 
us to God; neither, if we eat not, are we 
lacking; nor, if we eat, do we abound. 9 
But take heed, lest this liberty of yours 
become a stumbling-block to the weak. 10 
For, if anyone sees you, who have knowl- 
edge, reclining at table in an idol's temple, 
will not his conscience, if he is weak, be 
emboldened to eat the idol-sacrifices? 11 
For he that is weak — the brother for whom 
Christ died — perishes by reason of your 
knowledge. 12 And thus, sinning against 
the brethren, and smiting their conscience 
which is weak, ye sin against Christ. 13 
Wherefore, if food causes my brother to 
stumble, I will in no wise eat flesh for- 
ever more; that I cause not my brother to 
stumble. 



NOTES ON CHAPTER VIII. 
1 Things sacrificed to idoli; or idol-sacriflces. A portion 
of the animal that was sacrificed, was reserved for the of 
ferers to eat; and sometimes a portion of it was offered 
for sale, (ch. 10:25). We all have Tinowledgc; that is, we 
know that an idol is nothing. Knowledge puffs up; mere 
knowledge without love. 

3 The same lieeomes Ttnoun hy mm; God knoweth and 
careth for all who love and obey Him. 

4 That an idol is nothing; nothing of the least import- 
ance, since it is nothing but the visible representative of a 
vain and senseless fancy. 

6 Of Whom are all things; God is the source of all ma 
terial and immaterial existences. Through Whom; as 
Agent. The Son made all things. (John 1:3). 

7 This knowledge; the knowledge that there is but one 
true and living God. Eat it as an idol-sacrifice; having a 
superstitious regard for the supposed deity. Weak; ignor- 
ant, unenlightened. Defiled: by uniting in idol worship. 



8 Food; anything suitable to be eaten. Lacking . . . 
abound; as the idol is only a fancy, if we do not eat, we 
are none the worse ; nor, if we do eat, are we the better. 

9 A stumbling-Uock; an occasion of making others 
stumble, fall, sin. 

10, 11 A person who knows that idols are only idle fan- 
cies, might eat a portion of the idol-sacrifices without in- 
jury to himself; but, it another, who does not understand 
the matter, should be emboldened, by the example of the 
former, to eat contrary to his convictions, the conscience 
of the weak brother would be defiled, and he injured. 

12 Ye sin against Christ; by causing His weak disciple 
to stumble ; and. sinning against His disciple, however 
feeble, he sins against Christ. 

13 If food; any particular kind of food, not necessary to 
our existence. Will in no wise eat forevei-more; it should 
be a universal principle with Christians, to abstain from 
everything that is calculated to cause another to stumble. 
There is a plenty to eat besides that which has been offered 
to idols. 



CHAPTER IX. 

1 Am I not free ? Am I not an apostle ? 
Have I not seen Jesus our Lord? Are ye 
not my work in the Lord ? 2 If to others 
I am not an apostle, yet to you at least I 
am; for the seal of my apostleship are ye 
in the Lord. 3 My defense to those ex- 
amining me is this. 4 Have we no right 
to eat, and to drink? 5 Have we no right 
to lead about a sister^ as our wife, even as 



the rest of the apostles, and the brothers^ 
of the Lord, and Cephas? 6 Or have only 
I and Barnabas no right to give up work- 
ing?^ 7 Whoever serves as a soldier at 
his own charges ? Who plants a vineyard, 
and eats not of its fruit? Or who feeds a 
flock,, and eats not of the milk of the 
flock? 8 Do I speak these things after 
the manner of man ? Or does not the law 
also say the same? 9 For in the law of 



1 Meaning a believer. 



2 Or, iretliren. 3 Gr. Not to work. 



NOTES ON CHAPTER IX. 
1 Am I not free; free to use my apostolic office, as other 
apostles do. Have I not seen Jesus; and received my com- 
mission from Him. 

3 Those examining me; looking into his credentials as 
an apostle. 

4 Eight to eat and drink; at the expense of others, 
rather than to work for his support. 



5 He claimed as much right as the other apostles to 
have a wife and family, and have them supported by the 
assembly. 

-6 Have only I and Barnabas; the right not to work— are 
we exceptions to a law otherwise universal in its opera- 
tions? 
8 Thelaw; Deut. 25:4. 



I. COEINTHIANS 



243 



Moses it has been written, ' ' You shall not 
muzzle an ox while treading out the 
grain." Doth God care for the oxen ? 10 
Or doth He say it assuredly for our sake? 
Yes, for our sake it was written; because 
he that plows ought to plow in hope; and 
he that threshes ought to thresh in hope of 
partaking. 11 If we sowed for you spir- 
itual things, is it a great matter, if we 
shall reap your carnal things ? 12 If oth- 
ers partake of this authority over you, do 
not we still more? But we used not this 
right; but we bear all things, that we may 
cause no hindrance to the Gospel of 
Christ. 

13 Know ye not that those who are oc- 
cupied upon sacred things eat of the things 
of the temple? and that those who wait at 
the altar partake with the altar ? 14 Even 
so did the Lord ordain, that those who 
proclaim the Gospel should live by the 
Gospel. 15 But I have used none of these 
things; and I wrote not these things, that 
it may be so done in my case; for it were 
good for me rather to die, than that any 
one should make my glorying void. 16 
For, if I proclaim the Gospel, it is not to 
me a matter of boasting; for necessity is 
laid upon me; for woe is to me, if I pro- 
claim not the Gospel. 17 For, if I do this 
willingly, I have a reward; but, if unwill- 



9 Tou shall not tnuzzle; even the ox, while laboring, is 
entitled to sufacient food. How much more an apostle of 
Christ. 

11 Sowed for you spiritual things; preached the Gospel 
to you, and labored for your salvation, Jieap your carnal 
things: receive the things necessary for the body. 

12 This authority over you; the right to claim a support. 
Do not we still more; more than others, because of the 
greater service rendered them— in leading them to Christ. 

13 The priests and levites who served in the temple 
were entitle^ to a living from the offerings. 

14 God's appointed order is that those who preach 
should be supported in the work to which God has called 
them. 

15 I haveused none of these things; I have waived all my 
rights of support. He did not wish them now to support 
hiih. Good for me rather to die; than to relinquish his in- 
dependent way of living. 

16 Necessity is laid upon me; having received orders 
from Christ to preach, he dared not fail to obey his orders ; 
and he claimed no credit for doing what he dared not re- 
fuse to do. 

17 Ihave a reward; if I do my duty willingly. // un- 
willinalv; still I have to do it, as I dare not disregard my 
stewardship. 

18 What is my reward; in thus willingly waiving all my 
rights of self-support. The Gospel without charge; he 
made no charge for preaching the Gospel. Not fully use 



ngly, I have been entrusted with a stew- 
ardship. 18 What, then, is my reward? 
That, when proclaiming the Gospel, I may 
make the Gospel without charge, to the 
end that I may not fully use my right in 
the Gospel. 19 For, being free from all 
men, I made myself servant to all, that I 
might gain the more. 20 And, to the 
Jews, I became as a Jew, that I might 
gain Jews; to those under law, as under 
law (not being myself under law), that I 
might gain those under law; 21 to those 
without law, as without law (not being 
without law to God, but under law to 
Christ), that I might gain those without 
law. 22 To the weak I became weak, that 
I might gain the weak. I have become all 
things to all men, that I might, by all means, 
save some. 23 And I am doing all things 
for the Gospel's sake, that I may become 
a partaker thereof with others. 

24 Know ye not that those running a 
race all, indeed, run; but one receives the 
prize? So run; that ye may obtain. 25 
And every one who strives in the games 
exercises self-restraint in all things; they, 
indeed, therefore, to receive a corruptible 
crown, but we an incorruptible. 26 I, 
therefore, so ran, as not uncertainly; I so 
fight,* as not beating the air. 27 But I 



4 Gr. Box. 



my right; right to claim a support, as an apostle of Christ. 
His reward, therefore, was that, in relinquishing his right 
to support, he made the Gospel without charge to others. 

19 Free from all men; free from dependence upon them 
for his support. That I might gain the more; win the more 
to Christ. 

20-23 Here the apostle teaches that he sacrificed every- 
thing but principle and the truth, that he might win peo- 
ple of all classes to Christ. He sacrificed self for the good 
of others and the glory of God. 

23 Apartaker thereof with others; that he might share 
with others the benefits of the Gospel. He knew the Gos- 
pel brought incalculable bliss to him; and he labored that 
others might share the same. 

24 Running a race; a foot race, as in the games with 
which the Greeks were familiar. 

25 Strives in the games; as an athlete. Exercises self- 
restraint in all things; aiming to get his body in the most 
perfect state of preparation for the contest. Corruptible 
crown; something that soon fades and becomes worthless. 
Incorruptible; Paul was aiming to win a crown of glory 
that fades not away. 

26 Not as uncertainly; not as one having no object 
ahead. So buffet ; so box; as a pugilist, who does not beat 
the air, but deals well-directed blows. 

27 I buffet my body; beat it "black and blue." The 
word signifies beating under the eye or eyes ; and is akin 
to the saying, "He gave Mm a black eye." The apostle 
means that he kept his body in subjection, and thus pre- 



244 



I. CORINTHIANS 



buffet" my body, and bring it into bond- 
age; lest, by any means, after having 



preached to others, I myself should be re- 
jected." 



5 Gr. Bruise. 



6 Gr. Without approval. 



vented Jiimselt from being crippled in his usefulness by 
giving loose rein to his body. Bejected; set aside as use- 
less. There are many preachers— so called— who are thus 



set aside. The L.ord cannot approve their panderings to 
the flesh ; hence, they are disapproved, set aside, rejected 
from service. 



CHAPTER X. 

1 For I do not wish you to be ignorant, 
brethren, that our fathers were all under 
the cloud, and all passed through the sea; 
2 and were all immersed unto ^ Moses in the 
cloud and in the sea; 3 and all ate the 
same spiritual food; 4 and all drank the 
same spiritual drink; for they were drink- 
ing of the spiritual Eock that followed 
them, and the Rock was the Christ. 5 But 
in the most of them God took no pleasure; 
for they were overthrown in the wilder- 
ness. 

6 Now these things became types for us, 
that we might not covet evil things, as they 
also coveted. 7 Neither become ye idol- 
aters, as were some of them; as it has been 
written, "The people sat down to eat and 
drink, and rose up to play." 8 Neither let 
us commit fornication, as some of them 
committed, and fell in one day three and 
twenty thousand. 9 Nor let us tempt^ the 
Lord, as some of them tempted Him^ and 
perished by the serpents. 10 Neither 
murmur ye, as some of them murmured, 
and perished by the destroyer. 11 Now 
these things were happening to them by 



way of example;^ and they were written 
for our admonition, unto whom' the ends of 
the kges have come. 12 Wherefore, let him 
who thinks he is standing take heed, lest 
he fall. 13 A temptation has not taken 
you, except such as is common to man; 
but God is faithful. Who will not suffer 
you to be tempted above what ye are able, 
but will with the temptation make also the 
way of escape, that ye may be able to bear 
it. 

14 Wherefore, my beloved, flee from 
idolatry. 16 I am speaking as to wise 
men; judge ye what I say. 16 The cup of 
blessing which we bless, is it not a partak- 
ing of the blood of Christ? The bread* 
which we break, is it not a partaking of 
the body of Christ? 17 because we, the 
many, are one bread, one body; for we all 
partake of the one bread. 18 Behold Is- 
rael according to the flesh: are not those 
who eat the sacrifices partakers of the 
altar? 19 What, then, do I say? that an 
idol-sacrifice is anything? or that an idol 
is anything? 20 JVay, but I say that the 
things which the gentiles sacrifice, they 
sacrifice to demons, and not to God; and I 
do not wish you to become partakers with 



1 Or, into. 2 Or, test. 



Or, OS types, i Or. loaf. 



NOTES ON CHAPTER X. 

1 Our fathers; the Jewish men who went out of Egypt 
and through the Red sea, (Ex. 14). 

2 Were all immersed; they walked down into the sea. 
■where, on either side, were the walls of water, and then 
the overhanging cloud, with the watery banks, concealed 
them from the view of the Egytians. Unto Moses; as their 
leader. 

3 Spiritual food; manna; typical of Christ the living 
Bread, (John 6:31-35, 48-51). 

4 Spiritual drink; the water that flowed from the rock, 
(Ex. 17:6; Numb. 20:11)— which rock was a type of Christ. 

5 In most of them God took 7W pleasure; their unbelief 
and rebellion caused them (except two) to lose their lives 
in the wilderness. 

6 Became types for tis; to warn of the dangers, connected 
with unbelief. 

7 Written; Ex:32:6; Num. 25:1-9, etc. 
8-10 The apostle warns the Corinthian brethren, and all 

"believers, to avoid the sins that brought such dire calam- 
ities upon the Israelites. 

11 The ends of the ages; referring to the Christian dis- 
pensation, as having at last come, (Heb. 9:26). 

12 Presumption and self-satisfaction are very perilous- 



13 God tempers every temptation, and brings it within 
the limit of the endurance of the obedient child of God; 
never letting any temptation overpower one. who truly 
trusts and obeys Him, (Rom. 8:28; 5:3, 4; Jas. 1:2,3), 

14 Flee from idolatry; take no part in idol-worship. 

15 I speak as to wise men; men capable of judging, and 
acting properly. 

16 The cup; containing the wine, the symbol of the 
Lord's shed blood. Tfiehread; the broken loaf, a symbol 
of the broken body of Christ. In using these elements, 
they, professed, spiritually, to partake of Christ's blood 
and body. 

17 One hread ; one loaf, as joint-partakers of Christ, the 
One Bread. One body; all true believers are members of 
one body, (Rom. 12:5): and Christ Himself is the Head, 
(Eph. 4:15; Col. 1:18). 

18 Partakers of the altar; and hence, connected with the 
god who is worshiped at the altar. Hence, also, if they 
should feast in heathen temples, they would be regarded as 
worshipers of heathen idols. 

19- Though the apostle did not consider the idol-sacriflce 
or the idol itself anything; yet he did notwish his breth- 
ren to be mixed up with idolatry in any way. 

20 Sacrifice to demons; idolatry is a system of demon- 
worship. 



I. CORINTHIANS 



245 



the demons. 21 Ye cannot drink the cup 
of the Lord and the cup of demons; ye can- 
not partake of the table of the Lord and 
the table of demons. 22 Or do we pro- 
voke the Lord to jealousy? are we stronger 
than He? 

23 All things are lawful, but not all 
thing's are profitable; all things are law- 
ful, but not all things build up. 24 Let 
no one seek his own, but each anoth- 
er's good. 25 Whatsoever is sold in the 
market eat, asking no question because of 
conscience; for the earth is the Lord's, and 
the fulness thereof. 

2T If one of the unbelieving invites you 
to a feasts and ye wish to go, whatsoever is 



set before you eat, asking no question be- 
cause of conscience. 28 But, if anyone 
says to you, "This is the remairis of an 
dol-sacrifice." eat it not, for his sake that 
showed it, and because of conscience: 29 
conscience, I say, not your own, but the 
other's; for why is my liberty judged by 
another conscience ? 30 If I partake with 
thankfulness, why am I evil spoken of for 
that for which I give thanks? 31 Whether, 
therefore, ye eat or drink, or whatsoever ye 
do, do all to the glory of God. 32 Give 
no occasion of stumbling, either to Jews 
or Greeks, or to the assembly of God: 33 
even as I also, in all things, please all meii; 
not seeking my own profit, but that of the 
many, that they may be saved. 



21 Ye. cannot; people cannot worsliip God and idols at 
the same time ; any more than they can worship God and 
Mammon. (Matt. 6:24). 

22 Provokethe Lord tn jealousy; by giving to idols the 
worship due to Him. (see also Ex. 20:5; 34:14). 

23 All things; all sorts of good food may be eaten, at 
proper times, and proper places ; even the remnant of the 
meat offered in sacrifice might be eaten, if done in a man 
ner to make no false impression, nor cause some feeble one 
to stumble. 

24 Let no one seek his own; his own profit or pleasure, 
but have regard for the welfare of others. 

25 Whatsoever is sold in the market; public markets, 
where many varieties of meats were sold. Asking no ques- 
tion; as to whether it is a part of an animal that was offered 
in sacrifice to an idol, or not. 

26 The earth is the Lord's ; He owns all the animals on 
the earth; and it is not worth while to make inquiry about 
the matter, further than to determine, in one's own mind 
whether the meat was such as one desires. 



Whats<iever is set before you; whatsoever is clean, and 
proper to eat. 

Do not eat; lest you should injure, by your example, 
some weak brother. 

29 Co7iscienct, not your own, hut Uie other's; the well- 
informed Christian knows that it is not wrong, in itself, to 
eat such meat as that now under consideration, and he has 
no conscience on the subject, one way or another; but, 
when he is in the company of one who has not proper in- 
formation, he defers to the conscience of the weak brother, 
by refraining to eat it. Why is my liberty judged; why 
should another's weak conscience be permitted to circum- 
scribe my liberty? It does not limit it absolutely, but only 
for the occasion. 

30 This verse teaches that we may exercise our own 
rights, but in such a way as not to injure another's con- 
science. 

31 Whatsoever ye do; the one purpose of the Christian's 
being is to glorify God; and this one end should always be 
kept in view, in all one does. 

33 Please all men ; so far as it can be done without sacri- 
fice of principle. 



CHAPTER XI. 



as I 



1 Become imitators of me, 
also am of Christ. 

2 Now I praise you, that you remember 
me in all things, and hold fast the tradi- 
tions, even as I delivered them to you. 3 
But I wish you to' know that the head of 
every man is Christ, and the head of the 
wife is the husband, and the head of 
Christ is God. 

NOTES ON CHAPTER XI. 

1 We are not to understand that Paul meant to put him 
self between his brethren and Christ, or that anyone was 
a faultless model, but Christ Himself; but, as Christ was 
not visibly present with them, they might, in the earlier 
stages of their discipleship. follow the apostle, as he fol- 
lowed Christ. 

2 Traditions; the doctrines and facts of Christianity, 
which he had taught them, 

3 Sead of the wife; the husband is the God-appointed 
head of the wife, but not h«r master. 



4 Every man, praying or prophesying, 
having his head covered, dishonors his 
head. 5 But every woman, praying or 
prophesying with her head unveiled, dis- 
honors her head; for it is one and the 
same, as if she were shaven, 6 For, if a 
woman is unveiled, let her also be shaven, 
but, if it is a shame for a woman to be 
shaven or shorn, let her be veiled. 7 For 
a man, indeed, ought not to veil his head; 
being God's image and glory; but the 

4 Dishonors his head; by adopting the style of the 
women. 

5 Dishonors her head; by adopting a masculine style. 
Or it may mean that she dishonors her husband, who is 
her head (v, 3), by removing from her own head a token of 
her subjection to her husband. 

6 Zet her be shaven; let her have her hair cut off. 

7 God's imaae and glory; Gen. 1 :26. The woman, is man's 
glory; she was made for him as the crowning joy and 
glory of his life, (Gen. 2:18, 22, 23). 



246 



I. CORINTHIANS 



woman is man's glory; 8 for man *s not 
from woman, but woman from man; 9 
for man was also not created on account 
of the woman, but woman on account of 
the man; 10 for this cause ought the 
woman to have a sign of authority on her 
head because of the angels. 11 Neverthe- 
less, neither is woman apart from man, 
nor man apart from woman, in the Lord. 
12 For, as the woman is of the man, so 
also is the man through the woman; but 
all things are of God. Judge ye in your- 
selves; is it becoming that a woman, un- 
veiled, should pray to God ? 14 Does not 
even nature herself teach, that, if a man 
have long hair, it is a dishonor to him? 
15 But, if a woman have long hair, it is a 
glory to her; for her hair is given to her 
for a covering. 16 But, if any man seems 
to be contentious, we have no such cus- 
tom, neither the assemblies of God. 

17 But, in giving this charge, I praise 
you not; because, not for the better, but 
for the worse, do ye come together. 18 
For, first, indeed, when ye come together 
in an assembly, I hear that divisions exist 
among you; and I partly believe it; 19 
for there must also be factions among you, 
that the approved may be made manifest 
among you. 20 When, therefore, ye as- 
semble yourselves together, it is not to eat 



a Supper of the Lord; 21 for, in your 
eating, each one takes his own supper be- 
fore others; and one is hungry, and an- 
other is drunken! 22 What! have ye not 
houses to eat and to drink in? Or despise 
ye the assembly of God, and put to shame 
those who have them not? What shall 
I say to you? Shall I praise you? In 
this I praise you not. 23 For I received 
from the Lord that which also I delivered 
to you: that the Lord Jesus, in the same 
night in which He was being betrayed, 
took bread; 24 and, having given thanks. 
He broke it, and said, "This is My body 
which is for you; this do in remembrance 
of Me." 2.5 In like manner also the cup, 
after they supped, saying, "This cup is 
the New Covenant in My blood; this do, 
as often as ye drink it, in remembrance of 
Me;" 26 for, as often as ye eat this bread, 
and drink this cup, ye proclaim the Lord's 
death, till He come. 27 Therefore, who- 
soever eats the bread or drinks the cup of 
the Lord unworthily, shall be guilty of 
the body, and blood of the Lord. 28 But 
let a man prove ^ himself, and so let him 
eat of the bread, and drink of the cup; 
29 for he that eats and drinks unworthily, 
eats and drinks judgment to himself, not 
discerning the body. 30 For this cause. 



Or. 



10 For this cause; for the reason that she was made on 
account of man. A sion' of authority; meaning her hus- 
band's authority over her. Because of the angels; the an- 
gels are ministering spirits. (Heh. 1:14); and. as being 
present in their ministry in the family, they would be 
shocked, if woman should get out of her place, and attempt 
to assume lordship over the man. 

11 In the Lord; according to His appointment. God 
has made both man and woman ; and they should each 
find and keep their Heaven-appointed place, 

14 It is a dishonor to him; because he assumes a wom- 
anly habit; it being proper for the woman alone to wear 
long hair. 

15 For a covering; a covering for her head. 

16 Contentious; disputing about woman's rights, etc. 
We have no such custom; as the ones he was combatting 
above. 

17 In this; the point he was about to speak of. 

18 Come together; as an assembly, to celebrate the 
Lord's Supper. Kot for the better, but for the worse: they 
were injured, rather than benefitted, by the manner in 
which they abused the ordinance of the Supper. 

19 Divisions; factions, parties. These served the pur- 
pose of making manifest the wise, and distinguishing 
them from the foolish. 

20 It is not to eat the Lord's Supper; such a manner of 
observing it was rather a burlesque than a real celebration 
of the ordinance. 

21 Each one takes his own supper before others. It ap- 
pears that they brought food for a meal, before they pre- 
tended to celebrate the Supper of the Lord ; and they dis- 



played, it appears, an Inhospitable spirit in not inviting 
the poor members to partake of this food. 

23 Paul declares that the Lord gave him the ordinance 
as he here states it. and as he had given it to the Corinth- 
ian assembly. 

24 This is My body; this represents My body. Of course, 
the bread was not the real body of Christ, 

25, 26 The Supper is a memorial ordinance, to be ob- 
served till Jesus returns, to introduce the next dispensa- 
tion. 

27 IPnworthily; in an irregular or disorderly manner. 
Shall be guilty; of casting contempt upon His body and 
blood. 

28 Prove himself; examine himself in the light of the 
word, and eat only after he is convinced that he can par- 
take of it in a worthy manner. 

29 Judgment to himself; condemnation that merits pun- 
ishment. Not discerning the Lord's body; not discerning 
in the bread and wine the emblems of the Lord's body and 
blood, 

30 For this cause; because they do not discern the 
Lord's body. etc. Many are weak and sick; a failure to ap- 
preciate the full meaning of the ordinance, and to appro- 
priate its meaning as symbolized in the bread and wine, 
left many of the Corinthian brethren out of vital touch 
with God for their bodies; hence their weakness and sick- 
ness. And not a feio sleep; sleep the sleep of death, This 
seems to be the meaning of this Scripture; and there are 
few who really understand this phase of the teaching of 
the ordinance, (see Bom. 8:11; Ps. 103:3-5; Isa. 40:31; 58; 
II; IIIJohn2). 



I. CORINTHIANS 



247 



many among you are weak and sick, and 
not a few sleep. 31 But, if we discerned" 
ourselves, we would not be judged; 32 
but, being judged, we are chastened by 
the Lord, that we may not be condemned 



2 Or. riohtly understood. 



with the world. 33 Wherefore, my breth- 
ren, when ye come together to eat, wait 
one for another. 34 If any one is hungry, 
let him eat at home, that ye come not to- 
gether unto judgment. And the rest I 
will set in order, when I come. 



31 Discerned: properly understood ourselves and the or- 
dinance. Not be judaed: condemned, chastened. 



Wait one for another; all should he prepared to par- 
take at the same time. 



CHAPTER XII. 

1 Now concerning the spiritual gifts, 
brethren, I do not wish j'^ou to be ignor- 
ant. 2 Ye know that ye were gentiles, 
carried away to the dumb idols, as ye were 
led. 3 Wherefore, I make known to you 
that no one speaking in the Spirit of God, 
says, ' 'Jesus is accursed" ; and no one can 
say, "Jesus is Lord," except in the Holy 
Spirit. 4 Now there are diversities of 
gifts, but the same Spirit. 5 And there 
are diversities of ministries, and the same 
Lord. 6 And there are diversities of 
workings, but the same God, Who work- 
eth all things in all. 7 And to each one 
is given the manifestation of the Spirit for 
profiting. 8 For to one, indeed, is given 
through the Spirit a word of wisdom; and 
to another, a word of knowledge, accord- 
ing to the same Spirit; 9 to another, 
faith, in the same Spirit; and to another, 
gifts of healings, in the one Spirit; 10 
andtoanother, workings of mighty deeds;^ 



1 Or, miracles. 



and to another, prophecy; and to another, 
discerning of spirits; to another, various 
kinds of tongues; and to another, interpre- 
tation of tongues. 11 But all these work- 
eth the one and the same Spirit, distribut- 
ing to each one, severally, even as He 
willeth. 

12 For, as the body is one, and has many 
members, and all the members of the body, 
being many, are one body; so also is the 
Christ; 13 for, indeed, in one Spirit were 
we all immersed into one body, whether 
Jews or Greeks, whether bond or free; 
and were all made to drink of one Spirit. 
14 For the body also is not one member, 
but many. 15 If the foot should say, "Be- 
cause I am not a hand, I am not of the 
body " ; it is not, therefore, not of the body. 
16 And, if the ear should say, ' ' Because 1 
am not an eye, I am not of the body" ; it 
is not, therefore, not of the body, 17 If 
the whole body were an eye, where were 
the hearing ? If the whole body were hear- 
ing, Avhere were the smelling? 18 But, as 
it is, God did set the members, each one 



NOTES ON CHAPTER XII. 

2 Carried away to tM dumb idols; by Satan to worship 
dumb idols. They now need instruction in spiritual things. 

3 Speaking in the Spirit; as a true prophet or teacher of 
God. Jesus is accursed; as an imposter, or as one despised 
hyGod. Can say Jesus is the Lord; in the true sei 
Without the Spirit, no one can understand Christ or His 
mission to earth. (Matt. 11:25-27; 16:16. 17). 

4 Diversities of gifts; the Holy Spirit is the hestower of 
all spiritual gifts (ch. 8-11), and graces (Gal. 5:22. 23). 

5 Diversities of ministry; as of apostles, prophets, tei 
ers. etc. 

6 Diversities of workings; leading to different results; 
as. salvation in One. healing in another, etc. 

7 For profit ; not for curiosity, but for the good of God 
people. 

8-10 A word of wisdom; a word fitly spoken. (Prov. 25- 
11) ; just the word needed to help some needy soul ; wisely 
apportioning to each the needed instruction. (Matt. 24:45) 
Word of knowledge; experimental knowledge, testimony 
Faith; " the faith of the Son of God." (Gal. 2:20). Gifts of 
healings; power, under God. to heal diseases. Workings 
of mighty deeds; miracles apart from healing. Prophecy, 
inspired utterances from God bearing on salvation, as also 
the knowledge of future events. Discerning of spirits; the 



ability to determine the spirit by which one is governed, 
whether good or bad, (I John 4:1). Various kinds of tongues; 
the power to speak different languages, without having 
studied them. Interpretation of tongues; power to discern 
and interpret the meaning of what is spoken in an un- 
known tongue. 

11 Distributing to each, one; the Spirit bestows gifts as 
He seeth fit. 

N. B.—It the assemblies were made up of Spirit-fllled 
members, no doubt, many, or all the above gifts, if needed, 
would still be bestowed, for the edification of the members, 
for the advancement of the cause of Christ in the world, 
and for the glory of God. 

12 So also is Christ : Christ and His members constitute 
one body; Christ being the Head, (Eph. 4:15; Col. 1:18). 

13 In one Spirit; the Holy Spirit. We were all immersed 
into one body; being, individually, buried with Christ by 
immersion into death (c6. 6:4; Col. 2:12)— which is but the 
outward symbol of the Spirit's work in bringing us into 
real union with Christ, making us members of His body, 
and adjusting each in his proper place. 

14-24 The most feeble are necessary; the eye, the tender- 
est of all, is necessary to the well-being of the body. Every 
part of the body is, in fact, indispensible, else it would not 
have been given. 



248 



I. COEINTHIANS 



of them in the body, even as he willed. 
19 And, if they were all one member, 
where were the body ? 20 But now they 
are many members, but one body. 21 And 
the eye cannot say to the hand, "I have 
no need of you" ; nor again the head to the 
feet, "I have no need of you." 22 But 
much more the members of the body which 
seem to be more feeble, are necessary; 23 
and those members which we think to be 
less honorable, upon these we bestow more 
abundant honor; and our uncomely parts 
have more abundant comeliness; 24 but 
our comely parts have no need. But God 
attempered the body, giving the more 
abundant honor to that which lacked; 25 
that there might be no schism in the body 



but that the members might have the same 
care, one for another. 26 And whether 
one member suffers, all the members suffer 
with it; or one is honored, all the members 
rejoice with it. 27 Now ye are Christ's 
body, and severally members thereof. 28 
And God, indeed, set some in the assembly: 
first, apostles; second, prophets; third,^ 
teachers; after that, miracles; then, gifts 
of healings, helps, governments, various- 
kinds of tongues. 29 Are all apostles? 
Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Are 
all workers of miracles ? 30 Do all have 
gifts of healings? Do all speak with 
tongues? Do all interpret? 31 But de- 
sire earnestly the greater gifts; and a still 
more excellent way I show you. 



85 No schism; no division among themselves. 

26 All the members suffer with it; -when, for example, the 
foot is injured, the whole body suffers with it; and every 
member renders all the aid possible, that this wounded 
member may become well, and able to perform its part in 
the body. So it should be with Christians. 

28-30 Apostles: men whom Christ appointed to testify 
of His resurrection, reveal His will, unfold His Gospel, 
and complete the canon of New Testament Scriptures. In 
this last sense, the apostolic ofQce closed with the death of 
the apostle John; but God, in all ages since, has called His 
own servants, and sent them forth to propagate His Gos- 
pel. Prophets; this office, as the name indicates, had to do 
with the foretelling of future events through inspiration 
of the spirit; and it also had a secondary application, to 



teach expound the word, etc.. (seech. H:3). Teachers; 
those gifted with "aptness to teach," being qualified for 
this wort by the Holy Spirit, having the gifts of wisdom- 
and knowlecLge (v 8). Governments; or governings; those 
gifted in the discipline and proper training of the members ; 
and the helps, also, were aids to the pastors. 

31 Desire earnestly the larger gifts; it is proper for the 
fully surrendered believer to desire, and seek for, the best 
of the Spirit's gifts, for the glory of God alone. A still 
more excellent way; this the apostle gives in the next chap- 
ter; love, when developed as an all-controlling principle, 
being superior to any or all of the Spirit's gifts, being, in. 
fact, the reproduction of the perfect life of Christ in the 
believer, (see II Cor. 3:18; Eph. 4:13, 15; Phil. 3:14), Such 
a person might be safely entrusted with all the nine gifts 
above noted. 



CHAPTER Xni. 
1 If I speak with tongues of men and 
of angels, but have not love, I have be- 
come sounding brass, or a clanging cymbal. 
2 And, if I have the gift of prophecy, 
and know all the mysteries and all knowl- 
edge; and, if I have all faith, so as to re- 
move mountains, but have not love, I am 
nothing. 3 And, if I bestow in morsels 
all my goods; and, if I give my body to 
be burned, but have not love, I am profited 
nothing. 



4 Love suffers long, is kind; love envies 
not; love vaunts not herself, is not puffed 
up, 5 behaves not unseemly, seeks not 
her own, is not provoked, takes no account 
of evil, 6 rejoices not at unrighteousness, 
but rejoices with the truth; 7 bears all 
things, believes all things, hopes all things, 
endures all things. 8 Love never fails; 
but whether there be prophecies, they will 
be done away; whether there he tongues, 
they will cease; whether there be knowl- 
edge, it will be done away. 9 For we 



NOTES ON CHAPTER XIII. 

1 Tongues; the gift of tongues. If one could speak all 
the languages on earth and in Heaven, but had not love, 
his talk would be mere jargon. 

2 I am nothing; without love all other gifts are value- 
less. 

3 All my goods; should one givaall his goods in morsels 
to supply the hungry, it would profit him nothing, though 
it would benefit the poor. Millions bestowed without the 
promptings of divine love can do the contributor no real 
good. If we have no love— whatever else we may have— 
we count for nothing in God's view. 

4 Suffers long; patient under trials. Is kind; to every 
one, gentle, benevolent. Envies not; is not disturbed at 
the prosperity of others. Vaunts not herself; does not 



parade her own excellence, Sotpuffedup; or inflated with- 
high notions of herself. 

5 Seeks not her own: she is not only not grasping for 
more, but she does not hold, with a tight grip, that which 
is really hers. Sot provoked; never irritated, or thrown 
off her balance. Takes no account: makes no note of evil 
done her. 

6 Mejoices not at iniQuity; she takes no part in anything 
wrong. Rejoices with the truth; truth and love are insepa- 
rable companions. 

7. Bears all things; all trials of every kind. Believes all 
things; all God's words, and promises, and never doubts 
His providence. 

8 Never fails: while the gifts of the Spirit may become 
unnecessary, and so pass away, love will never fail, or 
cease to be. 



I. CORINTHIANS 



249 



know in part, and we prophesy in part; 
10 but, when the complete comes, the par- 
tial will be done away. 

11 When I was a child, I was wont to talk 
as a child, to think as a child, to reason as 
a child; since I have become a man, I have 
done away with the things of the child; 



12 for now we see through a mirrow, ob- 
scurely; but then, face to face; now I know 
in part, but then I shall fully know, even 
as I also was fully known. 13 But now 
abides faith, hope, love; these three; and 
the greatest^ of these is love. 



1 Gr. Greater, 



9 Know in part: have but a partial view of things, 
owing to the fact that we are, for the present, shut up in a 
clay tenement, with very restricted powers. In the next 
state of being, we may hope for a great increase of knowl- 
edge. 

10 When the complete comes; the full knowledge of the 
Heavenly state, Thepartialmllbedoneaway; as the lamp 
becomes useless when the sun is shining in noon-day 
splendor. 

11 A child . . . a man: as the child falls far below 
the man, in knowledge, wisdom, etc. ; so the most advanced 



Christian falls far below what he will be in the blissful 
ages to follow. 

12 Now: in this present lite. Obscurely: we get but a 
partial and very imperfect view of eternal things in this 
life. Fully know: the truth that shall then fall within our 
range. 

13 Greatest of these: love is greater than either faith or 
hope; these latter existing rather as means to an end. 
Though faith and hope will probably never cease to exist; 
yet love is divine, and lifts one to fellowship with the Tri- 
une God. 



CHAPTER XIV. 

1 Pursue love; and earnestly desire the 
spiritual gifts ^^ but rather that ye may 
prophesy. 2 For he that speaks in a 
tongue speaks not to men, but to God; for 
no one understands; but in the spirit he 
speaks mysteries. 3 But he that prophe- 
sies speaks to men to edification and exhor- 
tation and comfort. 4 He that speaks 
in a tongue edifies himself; but he that 
prophesies edifies the assembly. 6 Now 
I wish you all to speak with tongues, but 
rather that ye should prophesy; and 
greater is he that prophesies than he that 
speaks with tongues, unless he interpret, 
that the assembly may. receive edifying. 
6 And now, brethren, if I come to you 
speaking with tongues, what shall I profit 
you, unless I speak to you, either in reve- 
lation, or in knowledge, or in prophesy- 
ing, or in teaching? 7 Even things with- 
out life giving sound, whether pipe or 
harp, if they give no distinction in the 
sounds, how shall it be known what is 



piped or harped ? 8 For even if a trumpet 
give an uncertain sound, who will prepare 
for war? 9 So also ye, unless through 
the tongue ye give intelligible speech, how 
shall it be known what is spoken? for ye 
will be speaking into the air! 10 There 
are, it may be, so many kinds of voices in 
the world, and no one of them is without 
signification. 11 If, then, I know not the 
meaning^ of the voice, I will be to him 
who is speaking a barbarian; and he that 
is speaking, a barbarian to me. 12 So 
also ye, since ye are eager for spiritual 
gifts, seek that ye may abound in them 
with a view to the edification of the assem- 
bly. 13 Wherefore, let him that speak& 
in a tongue, pray that he may interpret. 

14 For, if I pray in a tongue, my spirit 
prays, but my understanding is unfruitful. 

15 What is it, then? I will pray with the 
spirit, and I will pray with the under- 
standing; I will sing with the spirit, and I 
will sing with the understanding. 16 



Gr. Power. 



NOTES ON CHAPTER XIV. 

1 The Corinthian brethren were exalting the gift of 
tongues above the other gifts ; when the former tended 
rather, as they used them, to excite curiosity, than to edi- 
fication. The apostle proceeds to correct this error. 

2 Speaks not to men: because men did not understand 
what they said. But to God: God did not need to be edi- 
fied. N. B.—lt should be noted that Christianity com- 
prises two essential things ; to make believers, and then to 
edify them, or build them up in the faith of the Gospel 

3 Be that prophesies: foretells events, or expounds the 
word. 

5 Greater is'Jie that prophesies: because he is more use 
ful to the assembly — along the important line of edifica- 
tion. 

6 The gift of tongues, unless some one could interpret 
the meaning, would be valueless. 



7 A distinction in the sounds: so as to be understood by 
the hearers. 

8 Uncertain sound: not understood. 

10 So many kinds of voices: or languages. And they all 
have a meaning to those who understand them. 

11 A barbarian to him: he will not understand me; a 
barbarian being a foreigner, whose language one does not 
understand. 

12 That yemay abound in them; in spiritual gifts, with 
the single limitation, that they be used to edify the assem- 
bly. 

13 Pray that ye may interpret: because his strange ut- 
terances, otherwise, would be profitless. 

14 JJnderstandina is unfruitful; unprofitable, beca,use 
not understood. 

15 With the understanding : in the right use of it. so as 
to be understood. 



250 



I. CORINTHIANS 



Else, if you are blessing with the spirit, 
how will he who fills the place of the un- 
learned say the "Amen" at your giving 
of thanks, since he knows not what you 
say? 17 For you, indeed, give thanks 
well, but the other is not edified. 18 I 
thank God, I speak with tongues more 
than you all; 19 but in an assembly I 
prefer to speak five words with my under- 
standing, that I may instruct others also, 
than ten thousand words in a tongue. 

20 Brethren, do not be children in mind; 
yet in evil be babes, but in mind be full- 
grown. 21 In the law it has been writ- 
ten, "With other tongues, and with lips 
of others, I will speak to this people; and 
not even thus will they listen to Me," saith 
the Lord. 22 Therefore, the tongues are 
for a sign, not to those who believe, but 
to the unbelieving; but prophecy is a sign, 
not to the unbelieving, but to those who 
believe. 23 If, therefore, the whole as- 
sembly comes together, and all are speak- 
ing with tongues, and there come in those 
who are unlearned or unbelieving, will 
they not say that ye are mad? 24 But, if 
all prophesy, and there come in one wAo 
is unbelieving or unlearned, he is convicted 
by all, he is judged by all: 25 the secrets 
of his heart are made manifest; and so, 
falling on his face, he will worship God, 
reporting that, in reality, God is among 
you. 



!6 What is it, then, brethren? When 
ye come together, each one of you has a 
psalm, has a teaching, has a revelation, 
has a tongue, has an interpretation. Let 
all things be done unto edification. 27 If 
any one speaks in a tongue, let it he by 
two, or at the most by three, and in turn; 
and let one interpret; 28 but, if there is 
no interpreter, let him keep silence in the 
assembly, and let him speak to himself 
and to God. 29 And let the prophets, 
two or three, speak, and the others judge. 
30 But, if a revelation be made to another 
sitting by, let the first keep silence; 31 
for ye all can prophesy one by one, that 
all may learn, and all be exhorted. 32 
And spirits of prophets are subject to 
prophets; 33 for God is not a God of 
confusion, but of peace, as in all the assem- 
blies of the saints. 34 Let the wives keep 
silence in the assemblies; for it is not per- 
mitted them to speak, but let them be in 
ubjection, as also says the law. 35 And, 
if they wish to learn anything, let them 
ask their own husbands at home; for it is 
a shame for a wife to speak in an assem- 
bly. 36 Or from you did the word of 
God go forth? Or did it come to you 
alone ? 

37 If anyone thinks himself to be a 
prophet, or spiritual, let him acknowledge 
the things that I write to you, that they 



16 Slessina with the spirit; praising God, but not in a 
manner to be understood. How shall theunlearned saij the 
"Jmen"; ■'Amen" being the ordinary response from the 
audience. But, if one did not understand what was said, 
he could not say, "Amen." 

20 Be not children in mind; be not carried away with 
mere sound, or prattle, as little children are. 

2t Written; Isa..2S:n. 12. 

32 Tongues . . . a sign to unbelievers; they serve to at- 
tract their attention, and may be used to give valuable 
light, as on the day of Pentecost. Prophecy . . . to those 
who believe; because prophecy tends to edify. 

23 Will theu not say ye are mad; or crazy, because of the 
unintelligible sounds they hear you making. 

24 All prophesy; all speak so as to be understood. He 
is convicted; made to realize the presence of God. and to 
feel that he is a sinner. 

26 Come together; as an assembly for worship; each one 
contributing something, as the Spirit may lead, to the in 
terest of the meeting. 

27 By tu'o, or by three; let not more than two or three 
speak at the same meeting; and let one who is competent 
interpret what is said to the others. 

28 tet no one speak, unless there is some one present 
to interpret. 

29 Let the others judge; as to whether they speak 
■harmony with the word of God. 

30 // a revelation be made to another; by the Holy 



Spirit to another sitting by. Let the first keep silence; to 
give opportunity for all to hear the new revelation. 

31 Te all; every one, in due course of time, should be 
permitted to tell what the Spirit had taught him, for the 
edification of the assembly, 

32 Spirits Of prophets are subject to prophets; they are 
able to control themselves. There was no need tor them 
all to speak at once. 

34 Let the wives; married women, (see v. 35). Keep si- 
lence in the assemblies; when convened in session, and for 
public service or worship. The word ecclesia [assembly] 
seems to imply this. Women were not to supercede men 
in the public service; but they have ample scope for all 
the service they can possibly render.' both in the matter of 
soul-winning and soul-training: tor they have the widest 
opportunity for addressing audiences of their own sex (it 
they have a real message to tell), and in the exercise of 
gifts privately, or in the home circle. 

35 Let them ask their own husbands at home; this im- 
plies, in the case supposed, that the husband knows more 
than the wife: butitisotten otherwise; and. when the wife 
knows more than the husband, he will do well to learn 
from her. 

36 . -The apostle reminds the brethren at Corinth that the 
Gospel did not start with them, and that they are not the 
standard of orthodoxy. 

37 Let him acknoivledge; let him confess that my teach- 
ings are from God. 



I. CORINTHIANS 



251 



are the Lord's commandment; 38 but, if 
any is ignorant, let him be ignorant. 39 
So then, my brethren, desire earnestly to 



prophesy, and forbid not to speak with 
tongues. 40 But let all things be done 
decently and in order. 



CHAPTER XV. 

1 Now I make known to you, brethren, 
the Gospel which I proclaimed to you, 
which also ye received, in which also ye 
have been standing; through which also ye 
are saved, if ye hold fast the word^ wliich 
I proclaimed to you, unless ye believed in 
vain. 3 For I delivered to you, among the 
first things, that which also I received, that 
Christ died for our sins according to the 
Scriptures; 4 and that He was buried, 
and that He hath been raised on the third 
day according to the Scriptures; 5 and 
that He appeared to Cephas, then to the 
twelve, 6 after that He appeared to 
above five hundred brethren at once, of 
whom the greater part remain until now, 
but some fell asleep. 7 After that He 
appeared to James, then to all the apos- 
tles; 8 and, last of all, as to one born^ 
out of time, He appeared to me also. 9 
For I am the least of the apostles, who 
am not fit to be called an apostle, be 
cause I persecuted the assembly of God 
10 But by God's grace I am what I am 
and His grace which was iestowed upon me 
did not prove vain;* but I labored more 
abundantly than they all; yet not I, but the 



Gr. With what word. 2 Gr. As to an abortion. 
Or, ineffectual. 



grace of God which was with me, 11 
Whether, therefore, it be I or they, so we 
preach, and so ye believed. 

12 Now if Christ is preached, that He 
hath been raised from the dead, how say 
some among you that there is no resurrec- 
tion of the dead. 13 But, if there is no 
resurrection of the dead, neither has Christ 
been raised; 14 and, if Christ hath not 
been raised, then is our preaching vain, 
and vain is your faith; 15 and we are 
found also false witnesses of God, because 
we testified in respect to God that He raised 
up the Christ, Whom He raised not, if so 
be that the dead are not raised. 16 For, 
if the dead are not raised, neither hath 
Christ been raised; 17 and, if Christ hath 
not been raised, your faith is vain; ye are 
yet in your sins! 18 Hence, also, those 
who fell asleep in Christ perished! 19 If 
in this life only we have hoped in Christ, 
we are of all men most pitiable! 

20 But now hath Christ been raised from 
the dead, the First-fruit of those who have 
fallen asleep. 21 For since through man 
came death, through Man came also the 
resurrection of the dead. 22 For as in 
Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be 
made alive; 23 but each in his own rank; 
Christ, the First-fruit; then those who are 
Christ's at His coming. 24 Then comes 



NOTES ON CHAPTER XV. 

1 I moKe Tcnown to you the Gospel; laying special em 
phasis in tMs chapter on the resurrection. In which ye 
have been standing; and continue to stand. They had 
planted their personal hopes on this Gospel, and had built 
their assembly on it. 

2 Believed in vain : there is a false faith, involving only 
the head ; but such a faith does not save. 

3 CJirisf died for our sins; this is the fundamental fact 
of the Gospel, and lies at the foundation of the whole 
scheme, (see Isa. 53:4-10; Dan. 9:24-26; Zech. 12:10; 13:7; 
II Cor. 5:14. 21; I Peter 2:24; 3:18). 

5 Cephas; Peter. The twelve; the twelve apostles. 

6 Brethren; disciples of Christ ; Fell asleep; died in the 
Lord. 

7 James; probably the brother of John, and one of the 
apostles. 

8 One bom out o/ time; an abortion ; an expression de- 
noting great unworthiness. 

9 Least of the apostles ; least in point of worthiness a; 
viewed by himself. He never forgot his great sin in per- 
secuting God's children. (Eph. 3:8; Acts 9:1; 26:9-11) 
Grace . . . not in vain; it led him to more abundant serv- 
ice than any other apostle. 



12 JVo resurrection; some false teachers in the early 
years of Christianity denied the doctrine of the resurrec- 
tion. The apostle shows that, if there is no resurrection 
there is no salvation, (vs. 13-19, 29-32). 

14-17 Preaching vain; because false, it Christ was not 
raised from the dead. Faith vain; because, if Christ did 
not rise, it was all futile. 

18 Fell asleep; Aied.. Perished; v/ere lost. 

19 Most pitiable ; because, if Christ did not rise, they 
had given up all the pleasures of this life, and exposed them- 
selves to all kinds of sufferings and losses without the least 
profit. 

20 JVow; as the matter stands. A First-/rwif; the res- 
urrection of Christ is a pledge that all who believe in Him 
will be raised up also. 

21 Through a man; Adam. Through a Man; Jesus 
Christ. 

22 In Adam all die; all have become sinners through 
Adam, having inherited depravity from him, (Rom. 5:12, 
17-19) . All shall he made alive; all shall share in the resur- 
rection, (John 5:28. 29; Dan. 12:2). His argument applies 
here especially to believers. 

23 Christ, the Firstrfruit; the first Who was raised to die 
no more. Christ's atHiScoming; at His coming for His 

I bride, (v. 52; I Thess. 4:16). 



252 



I. CORINTHIANS 



the end, when He delivereth up the Kingdom 
to God, even ^«s Father; 'when He shall 
abolish all rule and all authority and power; 
26 for He must reign, till He hath put all 
the enemies under His feet. 26 As the 
last enemy, death is abolished; 27 for He 
put all things in subjection under His feet. 
But, when He saith, "All things have been 
put in subjection," it is evident that He is 
excepted. Who subjected all things to Him. 
28 And, when all things shall be sub- 
jected to Him, then will the Son also Him- 
self be subjected to Him Who subjected 
all things to Him, that God may be all in 
all. 

29 Else what will those do who are im- 
mersed for* the dead? If the dead are not 
raised at all, why are they even immersed 
for* them? 30 Why, too, are we in peril 
every hour? 31 Daily am I dying, I avow 
by the glorying in you which I have in 
Christ Jesus our Lord! 32 If in human 
fashion I fought with wild beasts at Ephe- 
sus, what is the profit to me ? If the dead 
rise not; "Let us eat and drink; for to- 
morrow we die." 33 Be not deceived: evil 
companionships corrupt good morals. 34 
Awake to soberness righteously, and sin 



4 Or, on behalf of. 



not; for some have not a knowledge of 
God: I say it to your shame! 

35 But some one will say, "How are the 
dead raised? and with what kind of body 
do they come ? 36 Foolish one ! that which 
you sow is not made alive, except it die; 

37 and that which you sow, you sow not 
the body that shall be, but a bare grain, it 
may be of wheat, or of some other kind; 

38 but God giveth it a body, even as He 
willed, and to each of the seeds a body of 
its own. 39 All flesh is not the same flesh; 
but there is, indeed, one Jlesh of men, and 
another flesh of beasts, and another flesh 
of birds, and another of fishes. 40 There 
are also celestial bodies, and bodies terres- 
tial; but the glory of the celestial is one, 
and that of the terrestial another. 41 There 
is one glory of the sun, and another glory 
of the moon, and another glory of Me stars; 
for star differs from star in glory. 42 So 
also is the resurrection of the dead. It is 
sown in corruption, it is raised in incor- 
ruption; 43 it is sown in dishonor, it is 
raised in glory; it is sown in weakness, it 
is raised in power; 44 it is sown a nat- 
ural body, it is raised a spiritual body. 
If there is a natural body, there is also a 
spiritual iody. 45 So also it has been 



24 The end; the closing up of the Gospel dispensation 
and the Millennial reign to follow— which will he a Gospel 
dispensation under changed conditions. When Christ hath 
fully completed His mediatorial work, and hath restored 
the universe to order. He turns over the government to the 
Father, and mergeth Himself in the God-head, as it ap- 
pears from this Scripture. 

26 Death; Christ will abolish death, when He raiseth all 
from their graves. 

27 He put all things; the Father put this fallen planet, 
with all its interests, under His Son. He is excepted; the 
Father. 

29 Else; coming back to v. 19. Immersed far the dead; 
not to benefit the dead, as some have supposed: but im- 
mersion identified the early Christians with those who 
were given over to death; and. as the anointing of Jesus 
(Matt. 26:7) was for His death; so immersion being a burial 
ordinance (Rom. 6:4; Col. 2:12), marked one for death. Or 
it may have another meaning: As the immersion of the 
believer showed forth the Savior's death, burial, and resur- 
rection, and served (symbolically) to identity the believer 
with his crucified, buried, and risen Lord ; so his immer 
sion advertised him as one pledged to the crucifixion and 
ultimate death of the old man, or self-life. 

30 Wliy, too; or why do we expose ourselves to all man- 
ner of perils, if there is nothing in it? 

31 Daily am I dying; always exposed to death. Prob- 
ably, this refers more to the dying mentioned in II Cor 
4:10. 11. than to physical death at the hands of enemies. 

32 .Fought with beasts; it would seem from this state- 
ment that the apostle was given a chance for his lite, in 



a fight with wild beasts at Ephesus. This was a favorite 
amusement with wicked rulers. Some suppose that he 
here alludes to some of his contests with cruel men. Let 
us eat and drink, etc. ; if there is nothing in Christianity, 
we might adopt the motto of the Epicurians. and get what 
pleasure we can out of the present life. 

33 JSvil companionships; familiar associations with talse 
teachers corrupt, etc. 

34 Awake to soberness; implying that they had been in- 
toxicated by evil teachings, and now it is time to be 
aroused. Eighteouslv; implying that their conduct to 
their fellowmen had not been right in all ways. To your 
shame; had you heeded the instructions given you, you 
would have escaped all these excesses into which you 
have fallen. 

35 Some will say; by way of objection, because he can- 
not understand the resurrection. 

36 Foolish one; assuming to believe only what you un- 
derstand. The resurrection is no more mysterious than 
the raising of grain. 

37 A bare grain: a single kernel, 

38 God gives it a body: God gives the seed that is sown 
a body; so that every grain preserves its own identity, 
and propagates its own kind. 

39-43 Varieties of flesh: the heavenly and earthly bod- 
ies: the sun, moon, and stars— all these are illustrations 
of the mighty power of God, Who can raise the dead. The 
God Who has made all things is back of the resurrection, 
and He will bring it about according to His word. 

44 A natural body; a soulish body, or one animated 
once by a soul. (Gen. 2:7). It is raised a spiritual body; a 
body adapted to a glorified spirit. 



I. CORINTHIANS 



253 



written, ''The first man Adam was a liv- 
ing soul; the last Adam, a life-giving 
Spirit. 46 And the spiritual is not first, 
but the natural;' then the spiritual. 47 
The first man -is of the earth earthy; the 
second Man is from Heaven. 48 As was 
the earthy, such also are the earthy; and 
as is the Heavenly, such also are the 
heavenly. .49 And as we have borne the 
image of the earthy, we shall also bear 
the image of the Heavenly. 

50 And this I say, brethren, that flesh 
and blood cannot inherit the Kingdom of 
Grod; neither does corruption inherit in- 
corruption. 51 Behold, I tell you a mys- 
tery: we shall not all sleep, but we shall 
all be changed, 52 in a moment, in the 
twinkling of an eye, at the last trump; for 



5 Gr Psysichal, or soulish. 



the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall 
be raised incorruptible, and we shall be 
changed. 53 For this corruptible must 
put on incorruption, and this mortal must 
put on immortality. 64 And, when this 
corruptible shall put on incorruption, and 
this mortal shall put on immortality, then 
will come to pass the saying that has been 
written, "Death was swallowed up in 
victory." 55 Where, O death, is your 
victory? Where, O death, is your sting? 
56 The sting of death is sin; and the 
power of sin is the law: 57 but thanks 
he to God, Who giveth us the victory 
through our Lord Jesus Christ! 58 There- 
fore, my beloved brethren, become stead- 
fast, immovable, abounding in the work 
of the Lord, knowing that your labor is 
not in vain in the Lord. 



45 The first man Adam; the head of the human race. 
The last Adam: Jesus Christ. A life-giving Spirit; having 
life in Himself, (John 1:4; 11:25; 14:6). 

47 The second Adam, is from Heaven; Isa. 9:6; Mai. 3:1; 
John 17:5; II Cor. 8:9; Phil. 2:6. 

48 As is the Heavenly; Christ. Such also are the heaven- 
ly; Christ came to make a people like Himself, 

49 The image of the Heavenly; in spirit, soul, and hody, 
(Rom. 8:29; IJohn3:2; II Cor. 3:18). 

50 Flesh and blood; our bodies must he radically 
changed, before they can be admitted into Heaven ; and the 
resurrection of the saints will make the required change. 

51 jVt<< all sleep; Christians who are prepared for the 



rapture will not pass through death, but will be instantly 
changed, to fit them for meeting the Bridegroom, (I Thess. 
4:16, 17). 

54 Death shall be swallowed up in victory; Isa, 25:18. 

55 Where, death, is your victory; all your trophies are 
taken from you. Sting; that so frightened, pained, and 
even killed the bodies of men. 

56 The sting of death is sin; sin is that which gives 
death its terror. 

57 Giveth us the victory; over sin and death. 

58 Become steadfast; in the faith of the Gospel, and let 
your practice be according to the word. Immovable; fixed' 
in the word and will of God. 



CHAPTEE XVI. 

1 Now concerning the collection for the 
saints, as I directed the assemblies of Ga- 
latia, so also do ye. 2 On the first day of 
the week, let each one of you lay by him, 
treasuring it up, as he may prosper, that 
no collections be made, when I come. 
And, when I arrive, whomsoever ye may 
approve, the same will I send with letters 
to carry your bounty to Jerusalem; 4 
and, if it be meat for me also to go, they 
shall go with me. 5 And I will come to 
you, when I shall have passed through 
Macedonia; for I pass through. Macedonia; 



6 and it may be that I will remain, or 
even winter with you,, that you may send 
me forward, wherever I may go. 7 For 

I do not wish to see you now in passing; 
for I hope to remain sometime with you, 
if the Lord permit. 8 But I will remain 
at Ephesus until the Pentecost; 9 for a 
door, great and effectual, has opened to 
me, and there are many a(iversaries. ' 

10 Now, if Timothy comes, see that he 
may be with you without fear; for he 
works the work of the Lord, as I also do. 

II Let no one, therefore, despise him; 
but send him forward in peace, that he 
may come to me; for I am expecting him 



NOTES ON CHAPTER XVI. 

1 Collection; a voluntary contribution for the benefit 
of the poor saints in Jerusalem. 

2 On the first day of the week; the day on which Jesus 
arose, the day on which the Holy Spirit descended, and 
the day set apart by the apostles and early Christians for 
public religious worship. 

3 With letters; of introduction, or commendation. 
5 When I pass through; Paul seems to have changed his 

plan of visiting them, and hence the criticisms referred to 
in II Cor. 1:15-17 



7 I do not wish; to call merely on a brief visit, but to 
spend some time with you. 

8 Pentecost; a Jewish festival which came on the fif- 
tieth day after the passover, which occurred in April, 
(Acts 2:1). 

9 A door, great and effectual; a great opportunity for 
preaching the Gospel. Many adversaries; this is usually 



fear; resulting from your opposition or 



the cai 

10 Without 
neglect. 

11 Let no one despise him; because of his youth, (I Tim. 
4:12). With the brethren; whom the apostle expected to 
visit him from Corinth, (Acts 19:21, 22). 



254 



I. CORINTHIANS 



with the brethren. 12 But concerning 
Apollos, the brother, I besought him much 
to come to you with the brethren; and it 
was not at all his will to come now; but 
he will come, when he shall have oppor- 
tunity. 

13 Watch, stand fast in the faith; be 
men; be strong. 14 Let all your affairs 
be carried on in love. 

15 Now I beseech you, brethren, (ye 
know the house of Stephanas, that it is 
the first-fruit of Achaia, and that they ap- 
pointed themselves for ministry to the 
saints), 16 that ye also submit yourselves 
to such, and to every one who is laboring 
with us and toiling. 

13 Watch; to avoid falling into the snares of men and 
demons. (I Pet, 5:8). Be men; act worthily of true men. 
Be strong; by getting the strength of the Lord, (II Cor. 
12:19). 

15 The house; the family. First-jfuit of Achaia; the 
first whom the apostle led to Christ hy his labors in 
Achaia. For ministry to the saints; they helped the saints 
in any way they could. 

16 Submit yourselves to such; pay them due respect by 
recognizing their kind ofBces. 

17 At the coming of Stephanas; who had come to Paul 
at Ephesus. Supplied yeiir deficiency; what the church at 
Corinth had failed to supply Paul, Stephanas and others 
with him supplied. We are not to understand that the 
apostle is here making complaint, but he merely states 



17 And I rejoice at the coming of 
Stephanas and Fortunatus and Achaicus; 
because these supplied your deficiency. 
18 For they refreshed my spirit and 
yours; therefore, recognize those who are 
such. 

19 The assemblies of Asia salute you. 
Aquila and Priscilla salute you much in 
the Lord, with the assembly meeting at 
their house. 20 All the brethren salute 
you. Salute one another with a holy kiss. 
21 The salutation of me, Paul, with my 
own hand. 22 If anyone loves not the 
Lord Jesus Christ, let him be accursed, 
when the Lord cometh! 23 The grace of 
the Lord Jesus Christ le with you. 24 My 
love be with you all in Christ Jesus. Amen, 

that what the Corinthian brethren, because of their ab- 
sence, did not supply, these others did. 

18 Recognize those who are such; pay due regard to these 
and all who refresh the saints, 

19 With the assembly meeting at their house; a true as- 
sembly of God may habitually meet in the home of one of 
its members, (see also Rom. 16:5; Col. 4:15). Such Scrip- 
tures simplify matters very much. 

21 The salutation of me, Paul; the preceding part of 
this epistle was written, most likely, by some one or more 
of the apostle's friends; but he writes the salutation him- 
self. 

22 Accursed; a curse, or something devoted to ruin at 
the hands of the Almighty. 'When the Lord cometh; at 
His coming He will destroy multitudes of His enemies. 



THE SECOND 



EPISTLE TO THE C0RINTHIA:NS. 

A D. 60. This second epistle was written not a great while after the first— probably less than a year— in Mace- 
donia where.'in connection with his preaching:, the apostle was gathering up collections for the poor saints at Jeru- 
salem (ohs 8:1-5; 9:1-4). The occasion for writing this epistle was. probably, the report from Timothy (I Cor. 4:17), 
andTi'tus (ch. 7:6,7). regarding the effect of the first epistle upon the assembly at Corinth. The report was favorable so 
far as the majority of the assembly was concerned, (eh. 7:6. 7). He was gratified at their prompt obedience; directs 
them to restore the incestuous man; discusses the matter of collections for the Poor saints, (chs. 8 and 9). 

But some of the assembly were embittered against the apostle, charging him with fickleness in changing his 
plans, (ch. 1:17); with moral cowardice, (ch. 10:9-11); of making gain of them, (ch, 12:16-18); and they evidently dis- 
paraged his apostolic claims, and impugned his integrity. This made it necessary for him to vindicate himself against 
all their charges; which he does in a masterly manner; and this personal vindication constitutes the peculiar feature 
of this epistle. We may thank God for the severe conditions that made it neces.sary for the apostle, though reluc- 
tantly, to detail his manner of life, his numerous labors and self-saoriflces, his multiplied hardships and perils, and 
the wonderful experiences he realized— especially in being caught up to the third Heaven. The epistle is replete with 
treasures, not for the Corinthian brethren alone, but for Christians of all ages. 

CONTENTS. 

I. Salutation and introduction, (1:1-14). II. He explains the reason for deferring his visit to them. (1:15— 
II'l-4). III. Instructions regarding the incestuous man, (11:5-11). IV. His responsible office as a minister and 
servantof God. (11:14— V:l-20). V. Exhortation and encouragement, (VI— VII). VI. Collection for the saints in 
Judsea. (VIII:1— IX:1-15). VII. Asserts his apostolic authority, (X:l— XII:1-10). VIII. Concluding explanations, 
warnings, and salutations, (XII:11— XIII:1-14). 



II. CORINTHIAJSrS. 

CHAPTER I. 

1 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus 
through the will of God, and Timothy our 
brother, to the assembly of God which is 
in Corinth, with all the saints who are in 
the whole of Achaia: 2 Grace be to you, 
and peace from God our Father and the 
Lord Jesus Christ. 

3 Blessed be the God and Father of our 
Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, 
and the God of all consolation; 4 Who 
consoleth us in all our tribulation, that 
we may be able to console those toko are 
in any tribulation, through the consolation 
with which we ourselves are consoled by 
God. 5 Because, as the sufferings of Christ 
abound toward us, so through Christ our 
consolation also abounds. 6 But, whether 
we be in tribulation, it is for your conso 
lation and salvation; or, whether we are 
consoled, it is for your consolation, which 



is effective in the endurance of the same 
sufferings which we also suffer; 7 and our 
hope in your behalf is steadfast, knowing 
that, as ye are partakers of the sufferings, 
so are ye of the consolation also. 8 For 
we do not wish you to be ignorant, breth- 
ren, concerning our tribulation which be- 
fell us in Asia; that we were exceedingly 
eighed down beyond our power, inso- 
much that we despaired even of life; 9 
yea, we ourselves had in ourselves the 
sentence of death, that we should not trust 
in ourselves, but in God, Who raiseth the 
dead; 10 Who delivered us out of so great 
a death, and will still deliver: on Whom 
we have set our hope, that He will also 
still deliver; 11 ye also helping together 
on our behalf by your supplication; that, 
for the mercy bestowed upon us by means 
of many persons, thanks may be given 
by many on our behalf. 12 Fo-r our glo- 
rying is this, the testimony of our con- 
science, that in holiness and sincerity 



NOTES ON CHAPTER I. 

4 That ye may be able to console; God comforts or con- 
soles His children in their trials, that they may help oth- 
ers when under trial. 

5 The sufferings of Christ; Jesus suffered bitter perse- 
cutions ; and. if we ever become much like Him. we will 
suffer, too. 

6 It is for your consolation; the apostle endured all 
sorts of hardships and sufferings of various kinds, that he 
might be the means of saving, consoling, edifying, and 
otherwise enriching, as many as possible. Which is effec 
tive; which salvation, with its consolations, is effective in 
developing a spirit of endurance which will give one vie 
tory over all his trials. 

7 As ye are partakers of the sutferings: only those who 
partake of the sufferings of Christ can enjoy the oonsola 
tion here referred to. 



8 Exceedingly weighed down; under some great peril. 

9 The sentence of death; he could see nothing but death 
as the probable result. 

10 So great a death; we have no certain means of know- 
ing to what particular peril he here alludes. Possibly, it 
might have been his stoning at Lystra, (Acts 14:19, 20). 

11 The gift bestowed upon us; his wonderful escape 
from death, referred to above. By means of many persons; 
by means of their prayers in his behalf. Thanks may be 
given by many; by those who prayed for his deliverance. 

12 In holiness and sincerity of God; in the holiness and 
sincerity that come from God. Not in fleshly wisdom; 
such as worldly people have. More abundantly toward 
you; his conduct toward the Corinthians, when he labored 
among them, was specially guarded, because of the pecu- 
liar make-up of that people. 



256 



II. COKINTHIANS 



of God, not in fleshly wisdom, but in 
the grace of God, we behaved ourselves in 
the world, and more abundantly toward 
you. 13 For we write no other things to 
you, than what ye read or even acknowl- 
edge, and I hope ye will acknowledge to 
the end; 14 as also ye did acknowledge 
in part, that we are your theme of boast- 
ing, as ye also will he ours in the day of our 
Lord Jesus. 

15 And in this confidence I was purpos- 
ing before to come to you, that ye might 
have a second favor; 16 and through you 
to go into Macedonia, and from Macedonia 
to come again to you, and by you to be sent 
forward to Judaea. 17 When, therefore, I 
was purposing this, did I, indeed, use 
fickleness? or the things which I purpose, 
do I purpose according to the flesh, that 
with me there should be the "Yea, yea," 



and the "Nay, nay"? 18 But, as God is 
faithful, our word to you is not "Yea" 
and "Nay." 19 For the Son of God, 
Jesus Christ, Who was preached among 
you through us — through me and Sylvanus 
and Timothy — was not "Yea" and "Nay," 
but in Him is "Yea." 20 For however 
many are the promises of God, in Him is 
the "Yea"; wherefore, also, through Him 
is the "Amen," to the glory of God through 
us. 21 Now He Who confirmeth us with 
you in Christ, and anointed us, is God; 22 
Who also sealed us, and gave us the earn- 
est of the Spirit in our hearts. 

23 But I invoke God as a witness upon 
my soul, that, as sparing you, I came not 
yet to Corinth. 24 Not that we have 
lordship over your faith, but are helpers 
of your joy; for by faith ye have been 
standing. 



13 llian what yiiu read; in my former letter. His en 
emies in Corinth had, prohably, accused him of deceit ii 
his former letter, and he wishes them to know that he was 
always sincere. 

14 In part; some in Corinth did not acknowledge Paul's 
authority as an apostle. 

17 In tUis confidence; that he was their therm of rejoic- 
ing, and that they would he his. 

18 God is faithful; meaning, likely, that, as God by 
Spirit had inspired his previous letter. He would take care 
of all the results. 

19 Sylvanus; or Silas, probably, (see Acts 15:22). Not 
"Yea "and "Kay," TheSonofGcd. Who Is the essence 
ot the Gospel, is not "Yea" and "Nay." In Him there is 
no uncertainty. 

20 The "Yea" and the "Amen" are both centered In 



Christ. He is the Giver and the Ratifler in the matter of 
redemption. Through us; as preachers of the word. 

21 Anointed us; by His Spirit, (I John 2:20, 27). 

22 Sealed us; marked us for His own. The Holy Spirit 
does this sealing. The earnest of the Spirit in our hearts; 
the Holy Spirit, when He is permitted to fill the believer, 
gives him a foretaste of joys to be realized more fully in 
Heaven. 

23 As sparing you; that is, to save you from the reproofs 
and rigid discipline your errors merited, I postponed my 
visit; hoping that his first letter might correct them. 

24 JVof that we have lordship over your faith; meaning 
that he had no wish to coerce their faith, or conscience. 
Ye have heen standing; hitherto, and up to this time, you 
have been standing by faith; and the apostle desired that 
they might continue so to stand. 



CHAPTER II. 

1 But I determined this for myself, that 

1 would not come to you again in sorrow. 

2 For, if I make you sorry, who, indeed, 
is he that makes me glad, but he that is 
made sorry by me ? 3 And I wrote this 
very thing, that I might not, when I came, 
have sorrow from those of whom I ought 
to have joy; having confidence in you all, 
that my joy is the joy of you all. 4 For 
out of much tribulation and anguish of 
heart I wrote to you, through many tears; 



not that ye should be made sorry, but that 
ye might know the love which I have more 
abundantly toward you. 

6 But, if any one has caused sorrow, he 
has caused sorrow, not to me, but in part 
(that I press not too heavily) to you all. 
6 Sufficient for such a one was the punish- 
ment inflicted by the many; 7 so that, 
on the contrary, ye ought rather to for- 
give and console him, lest by any means 
such a one should be swallowed up with his 
excessive sorrow. 8 Wherefore, I be- 
seech you to confirm your love toward 



NOTES ON CHAPTER II. 

1 In sorrow; had he gone to them before their evils 
-were corrected (by his first letter), they would all have 
had sorrow. 

2 If Intake you sorry; he had every reason not to wish 
to make them sorry ; and among other reasons this, that 
he was largely dependent upon them, (ch. 1:14). 

3 And I wrote this same; referring to the matter of his 
former letter. 

4 The apostle seems to excuse the severity of his first 
letter by ascribing it to his intense love for them. 



5 He; the incestuous man, (I Cor. 5:1). But in part; 
the conduct of the incestuous man had grieved oth- 
ers—the best portion of the assembly — as well as the apos- 
tle. That I may not press you all; he wished them to 
know that he did not charge them all with complicity in 
the sin of the incestuous man, 

6 Such a one; the incestuous man. The punishment; 
the excommunication of the offender, who had repented. 

7 On the contrary; they ought now to forgive him. and 
restore him to fellowship in the assembly. 



II. CORINTHIANS 



257 



him. 9 For to this end also did I write, 
that I might know the proof of you, 
whether ye are obedient in all things. 10 
And to whom ye forgive anything, I for- 
give2iX%Q\ for what I also have forgiven — 
if I have forgiven anything — for your 
sakes h(me I forgiven it in the person^ of 
Christ; 11 that we might not be over- 
reached by Satan; for we are not ignorant 
of his devices. 

12 Now, having come to Troas for the 
Gospel of Christ, and a door having been 
opened to me in the Lord, 13 I have had 
no relief in my spirit, because I found not 
Titus my brother; but, bidding them 



adieu, I went forth into Macedonia. 14 
But thanks be to God, Who always caus- 
eth us to triumph in Christ, and maketh 
manifest through us the savor of His 
knowledge in every place; 15 because we 
are to God a sweet savor of Christ, in 
those who are being saved, and in tliose 
who are perishing; 16 to the one class a 
savor of death unto death, and to the other 
a savor of life unto life. And who is suf- 
ficient for these things? 17 For we are 
not as the many, making merchandise^ of 
the word of God; but as of sincerity, but 
as of God, in the sight of God, we speak 
in Christ. 



1 Or. presence. 



2 Gr. Peddling out the word of . 



9 To this end also did I write; the one object of his first 
letter was. to induce them to discipline him. and prove 
their loyalty to the truth. 

10 For your sakes; he had in view their good as an as- 
sembly of God, and not his own personal ends. In the 
person of Christ; as an inspired representative of Christ, 
and as acting for Him. 

11 Overreached by Satan; through excessive severity in 
their dealings with the reformed offender. His devices; in 
leading people to hurtful extremes. 

12 Troas; a city between Ephesus and Macedonia. Paul 
expected to meet Titus at Troas, and to learn from him 
the effect of his first letter to the assembly at Corinth. 
Going into Macedonia, he met Titus later, and learned 
what he had hoped to learn at Troas. 

14 But thanks be to God; for the happy issue of things 



in Corinth among the brethren. Who . . . causeth us to 
triumph in Christ; Who always gives us victory in Christ, 
over all our enemies. The savor; the fragrance, or odor, 
used metaphorically here to indicate the gracious influ- 
ence of the Gospel. 

15 We are to God a sweet savor of Christ; the faithful 
advocates and dispensers of the Gospel of Christ are 
pleasing to God the Father. 

16 Savor of death unto death; God is pleased with those 
who preach the Gospel, even if men reject it, and seal their 
endless ruin thereby, (Rev. 20:14). Those who reject the 
Gospel turn that which was meant to give them eternal 
life and blessedness in Heaven to their eternal loss. 

17 Making merchandise of the word of God; peddling it 
out in an adulterated condition, for the profit there is in 
it. (see I Pet. 5:2), 



CHAPTER III. 

1 Are we beginning again to commend 
ourselves? Or need we, as do some, com- 
mendatory letters to you, or from you? 2 
Ye are our letter, written in our hearts, 
known and read by all men; 3 being made 
manifest that ye are Christ's epistle min- 
istered by us, written not with ink, but 
with the Spirit of the living God; not in 
tablets of stone, but in tablets that are 
hearts of flesh. 4 And such confidence 
have we through Christ toward God: 5 
not that we are suj93.cient of ourselves to 



reckon anything as from ourselves, but 
our sufficiency is of God; 6 Who also 
qualified us as ministers of a new covenant, 
not of the letter, but of the Spirit; for the 
letter kills, but the Spirit makes alive. 7 
But, if the ministration of death, engraven 
in letters on stones, came with ^ glory, so 
that the sons of Israel could not look stead- 
ily upon the face of Moses on account of 
the glory of his face, which glo^^y was pass- 
ing away; 8 how shall not rather the min- 
istration of the Spirit be with glory? 9 



1 Gi 



In. 



NOTES ON CHAPTER III. 

1 Again; possibly alluding to some charge of self -com- 
mendation. 

2 Ye are our letter; open to all to read. Written in our 
hearts; so said to show his great love for them. Our; to in- 
clude others with himself. 

3 3Iinistered by us : through the preaching of the Gospel. 
Not in tables of stone; alluding to the stone tablets on 
which the ten commandments were written. Fleshly tab- 
lets which are hearts; or fleshly heart- tablets ; meaning the 
hearts of the Corinthian brethren. 

4 And such confidence have we; as to the effectiveness 
of the work done in them. Through Christ; not through 
himself, but by the power of Christ. 



5 Our sufficiency is of Qod; God must supply the wis- 
dom, power and knowledge, to carry on His work. 

6 Wlio has qualified us; given us power to. preach and 
administer the Gospel. If God does not qualify one to 
preach the Gospel, he had better never attempt to preach. 

7 Ministration of death; the Mosaic law. which works 
wrath, and brings death instead of life. (Rom. 4:15; 7:10, 11). 
Engraven on stones; meaning the ten commandments. 
Came with glory; introduced in a way to show God's 
majesty and glory. The splendor of Moses' countenance 
was a visible symbol of the Divine Presence and glory, 
(Ex. 34:29-35). 

8 Ministration of the Spirit; the Gogpel dispensation, 
under the Spirit's direction; giving life instead of death, 
as under the law. 



II. CORINTHIANS 



For, if the ministration of condemnation 
be glory, much more does the ministration 
of righteousness exceed in glory. 10 For 
even that which has been made glorious 
has not been made glorious in this respect, 
on account of the surpassing glory; 11 
for, if that which is passing away comes 
through glory, much more that which re 
mains is in glory. 

12 Having, therefore, such hope, we 
use great boldness of speech; 13 and not 
as Moses, who put a veil over his face, 
that the sons of Israel might not look 
steadily to the end of that which was pass- 



ing away. 14 But their minds were un- 
impressible; for until this day upon the 
reading of the old covenant the same veil 
remains unlifted; which in Christ is done 
away. 15 But, until this day, whenever 
Moses is read, a veil lies upon their heart. 
16 But, whensoever it shall return to the 
Lord, the veil is taken away. 17 Now the 
Lord is the Spirit; and where the Spirit of 
the Lord is, there is liberty. But we all, 
with unveiled face, reflecting as a mirrqr 
the glory of the Lord, are transfigured 
into the same image from glory to glory, 
even as by the Spirit of the Lord. 



9 Ministration of righteousness; the righteousness which 
comes through faith in Christ. 

10 The glory ot the Gospel dispensation immeasurably 
surpasses that of the law. 

11 That which is done away; the Mosaic dispensation, 
which was typical of the Gospel, disappeared to make room 
for its Anti-type, the Gospel. 

N. B.— We are not to understand that the nine moral 
elements in the decalogue (all except the fourth— which 
was a positive law) were done away as rules of conduct, 
but only as conditions of life ; for Christ's death put away 
sin (Heb. 9:26) in such a way as to make it possible for man 
to get rid of his sins through faith in Christ; and at the 
same time receive a new life in Christ, that would enable 
him under proper conditions, to keep the law, (Rom.8:3,4), 
The fourth commandment, having answered Itsdispensa- 
.tional purpose, gave way to make room for the first day of 
the week, which is the proper day for Christians to ob 
serve. 



12 Boldness of speech; plainness of speech, no longer 
veiled in mysterious types and shadows. 

13 To the end of that which was passing away; the wor- 
shipers under the law found it difficult to understand the 
types, or the meaning to which they pointed. 

14 Unimpressible; this refers to the hardened condition 
of their hearts or moral natures, resulting from their want 
of faith. 

15 Which in Christ is done cnuay; the vicarious death of 
Christ was a fulfillment of the types relating to Him. 

16 It; the heart of the Israelites. Turns to the Lord,- 
accepts Christ. 

17 The Lord is the Spirit; Christ is the Spirit in contrast 
with the letter, (v. 6). The Spirit of Christ brings liberty. 

Unveiled face; the veil being taken away in Christ. 
Reflecting as a mirror the glory of the Lord; the glory of 
Christ shining forth in our faces, and reflected in our lives. 
Transfigured into the same image; the image of Christ. 
From glory to glory ; from one degree of glory to another. 
Glorious transformation! fitting the overoomer to reiga 
with Jesus I 



CHAPTER IV. 

1 Therefore, having this ministry, even 
as we obtained mercy, we faint not; 2 but 
we renounced the hidden things of shame, 
not walking in craftiness, not handling the 
word of God deceitfully; but, by the mani- 
festation of the truth, commending our- 
selves to every man's conscience in the 
sight of Grod. 3 And, even if our Gos- 
pel has been veiled, it has been veiled 
in those who perish; 4 in whom the god 
of this world blinded the minds of the 
unbelieving, that the light of the Gospel 



of the glory of Christ, Who is the image 
of God, should not shine upon them. 
5 For we preach not ourselves, but Christ 
Jesus as Lord; and ourselves as your 
servants for Jesus' sake; 6 because it 
is the God Who said, ' 'Light shall shine 
out of darkness," Who shined in our hearts, 
to give the light of the knowledge of the 
glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. 
7 But we have this treasure in earthen 
vessels, that the exceeding greatness may 
be of God, and not from ourselves; . 8 be- 
ing pressed on every side, yet not cooped 
up; perplexed, yet not despairing; 9 pur- 



NOTES ON CHAPTER IV. 
\ Aswe obtained mercy; in being called from a life of 
murder and blasphemy to be a minister and apostle of 
Christ, (ITlm. 1:12, 13). 

2 The hidden things of shame; such as men practice se- 
cretly, being afraid to do them openly; referring, proba- 
bly, to the shameful schemes of his enemies in trsring to 
destroy his influence among the Corinthian brethren. 

3 Veiled; alluding to the blinded condition of the Jews, 
(ch. 3:17). 

4 The god of this world; Satan, who has all unbelievers 



under his control. That the light . . . should not shine; so 
as to make them true believers, that they might see his 
glory. 

6 Commanded the light; Gen. 1:3. In the face of Jesus 
Christ; as revealed in the Gospel. 

7 This treasure; this new life and knowledge of Christ 
received in the heart. In earthen vessels; in human bodies. 

Pressed on every side; assailed by enemies on all 
sides. Jfot cooped up; shut in, or straitened, so as to be 
unable to work for God, Perplexed; as to the best course 
to pursue. Not despairing; not giving up hope. 



II. CORINTHIANS 



259 



sued, yet not abandoned; smitten down, 
yet not destroyed; 10 always bearing 
about in the body the dying of Jesus, that 
the life also of Jesus may be manifested 
in our body. 11 For we who live are 
always delivered up to death for Jesus' sake, 
that the life also of Jesus may be mani 
fested in our mortal flesh. 12 So that 
death is working in us, but life in you. 13 
But, having the same spirit of faith, ac 
cording to what has been written, "I be 
lieved, therefore did I speak"; we believe, 
therefore also we speak; 14 knowing that 
He Who raised up the Lord Jesus will raise 



up us also with Jesus, and will present us 
with you. 15 For all things are for your 
sakes, that the grace, abounding through 
the many, may make the thanksgiving 
abound, to the glory of God. 16 Where- 
fore, we faint not; but even if our outward 
man is decaying, yet our inward iiian is 
being renewed day by day. 17 For our 
momentary light tribulation is working out 
for us more and more exceedingly an eter- 
nal weight of glory; 18 while we look not 
at the things that are seen, but at the tilings 
that are not seen; for the things that are 
seen are temporal, but the things that are 
unseen are eternal. 



9 Pursued; by his enemies. Not abandoned; not aban 
doned by God. Smitten down; alluding, perhaps, to the 
stoning he received at Lystra, (Acts 14:19). Not destroyed: 
God spared his life, though his enemies supposed him to 
be dead. 

10. 1 1 Always bearing about in the body the dying of Jesus, 
the true believer, who has enthroned Christ in his heart, 
enters upon the " crucified life, " (Gal. 2:20); Jesus having 
come -withiahim to superintend this crucifixion, leading 
one to die to sin and self in all its.forms, with the view of 
developing His own life in the one who has chosen Him as 
his eternal portion. This Christ-life shines out of the be- 
liever's body,, manifesting itself even in his material 
flesh. This crucifixion will be complete when Pbil. 3:10 is 
fully realized. We who live; who have Christ living in us. 
(Gal. 2:20). Always delivered up to death; voluntarily 
yielded up to the death of the cross, or to self-death; and 
thus one has a responsible agency in the development of 
the life of Christ in his mortal flesh. 

13 Death is working in us; the law of death operates, 
that so the Christ-life may have space and opportunity to 



grow. And. as this double process goes on, life is minis- 
tered to others. If we would become agents for commun- 
icating life to others, we must first die ourselves. 

13 Has been written; Vs. \1&:IQ. 

14 Present us with you; Jesus will present all His true 
followers to His Father, as trophies of His redemption. 

15 All things; literally, all the things; including the 
doctrines of the Gospel, and the providences of God, 
(Kom. 8:28). 

16 Wherefore; because of the glories of Christ, and the 
results of their labors. Our outward man; the mortal 
body. The inward man; "the new man," or the Christ- 
life. 

17 Our momentary light tribulation; literally, the mo- 
mentary lightness of our tribulation. All tribulations in 
this life are brief and trivial compared with the unending 
glories of Heaven. 7s working out for us; all our trials— 
of whatever kind— if faithfully endured for Christ's sake, 
will greatly enhance the weight of glory and crown us in 
Heaven. This fact should greatly encourage all believers 
to be true and faithful to God in all things. 



CHAPTEK V. 

1 For we know that, if the earthly 
house of our tabernacle be dissolved, we 
have a building from God, a house not 
made with hands, eternal, in the heavens. 
2 For verily, in this we groan, longing to 
be clothed upon with our habitation which 
is from Heaven; 3 if, indeed, being also 
clothed, we will not iDe found naked. 4 
For, indeed, we who are in the tabernacle 
groan, being weighed down; not that we 



wish to be unclothed, but be clothed upon, 
that what is mortal may be swallowed up 
by life. 6 Now He Who wrought us for 
this very thing is God, Who gave to us 
the earnest of the Spirit. 6 Being, there- 
fore, always of good courage, and knowing 
that, while dwelling in the body, we are 
absent from the Lord (7 for we walk by 
faith and not by sight); 8 we are of good 
courage, I say, and are well pleased to be 
absent from the body, and to be at home 
with the Lord. 9 Wherefore, we also 



NOTES ON CHAPTER V. 

1 Tabernacle; meaning the body, considered as a tem- 
porary abiding place for the new man, (see II Pet. 1 :13, 14). 
A building from God, a house not made vnth hands; the res- 
urrection body. 

2 In this; the earthly body. Longing to be clothed upon; 
with the new body. 

3 Naked; without a glorified body. 

4 The apostle did not wish to be unclothed, or without 
a body, but he longed for his new body. That what is 
mortal may be swallowed up by life; that is, that he might 
get his heavenly body without dying, (I Cor. 15:52; IThess, 
4:17). 



5 He }Vho wrought; made us, For this very thing; for 
the enjoyment of the new body, whether with or without 
death. Earnest of the Spirit; a joyful foretaste of the 
blessedness of Heaven. 

6 Absent from the Lord; absent from His seat in 



7 Walk by faith, not by sight; we are to be governed by 
faith, and not by what we see or feel. 

Absent from the body; separated from the natural 
body. Present with the Lord; it appears that the apostle 
hoped to escape "the intermediate state," or disembod- 
ied state, altogether, (see Phil, 3:10, 11). 



11. CORINTHIANS 



make it our aim — wliether being at home 
or being from home — to be well-pleasing 
to Him. 10 For we must all be mani 
fested before the judgment-seat of Christ; 
that each one may receive the things done 
through the body, according to the things 
which he practiced, whether good or evil 
11 Knowing, therefore, the fear of the 
Lord, we persuade men; but to God we 
have been made manifest, and I hope that 
we have been made manifest also in your 
consciences. 12 We are not again com- 
mending ourselves to you, but giving you 
occasion of glorying on our behalf, that ye 
may have something suited to those who 
glory in appearance, and not in heart. 13 
For whether we were beside ourselves, it 
was to God; or whether we are of sober 
mind, it is for you. 14 For the love of 
Christ is constraining us; having judged 
this, that One died for all; consequently, 
they all died: 15 and He died for all, 
that those who live should no longer live 



to themselves, but to Him Who died for 
them, and rose again. 16 Wherefore, we 
henceforth know no one according to the 
flesh; even if we have known Christ ac- 
cording to the flesh, yet now no longer do 
we know Him thus. 17 Wherefore, if 
any one is in Christ, he is a new creature; * 
the old things passed away; behold, they 
have become new. 18 But all things are 
of God, Who reconciled us to Himself 
through Christ, and gave to us the minis- 
try of reconciliation; 19 how that God 
was in Christ, reconciling the world to 
Himself, not reckoning to them their tres- 
passes, and having put in us the word of 
reconciliation. 

20 On behalf of Christ, therefore, we 
are ambassadors, as though God were be- 
seeching through us, we entreat you on 
behalf of Christ, be ye reconciled to God. 
21 Him Who knew no sin He made to he 
sin on our behalf, that we may become 
God's righteousness in Him. " 



1 Or, creation. 



10 Judgment-seat of Christ; to receive tlie rewards ac- 
cording to -works. 

11 The fear of the Lord; the fear whioli will fill tlie 
■ungodly, when they appear in His presence. We persuade 
men; to repent, and accept Christ. 

12 Not again commending; he was not seeking to please 
them, but to set forth the principles that controlled him, 
and upon which his ministry proceeded; to the end that 
he might stop the mouths of the proud boasters in their 
midst. 

13 Beside ourselves; in efforts to preach the Gospel free 
of charge, and in enduring all sorts of perils to get the 
Gospel of Christ proclaimed abroad. To God; it was to 
meet the claims of God upon him. Sober mind, it is for; 
it is meant to subserve your real interests. 

14 Constraining us; His mighty love has so possessed 
our hearts with His own passion for souls, that we are im- 
pelled to labor, and do all we can, to have men accept Him. 
One died for all; Christ died for all the race, (Heb. 2:9). 
Gonseauently; as a necessary inference from the fact that 
Christ died for all. He died to represent all; and, hence, 
all died in Him; not really, but judicially. 

15 Wo longer live to themselves; those who have life in 
Christ should live wholly for Him. 

16 We know no one according to the flesh; we no longer 
regard men's personality, or consider them in their nat- 
ural relations, We no longer know Him thus; Christ, who 
bestowed many blessings upon men when personally pres- 



ent with them on earth; but He is now changed, and we 
know Him now as the glorified Son of God sitting at the 
right hand of the Father, (Heb. 1 :3). 

17 If any one is in Christ; is united to Him by a living 
faith. A new creatwe; has a new being, new life— even 
the spirit of Christ, (Ezek. 36:26; John 3:5, 6. 8), 

18 All things are of God; all this wonderful change had 
its origin in God. Beconciled us to Him; the human fam- 
ily had all strayed from God, and did not love Him; but 
God sent His Son, Who put away sin (Heb. 9:26), and gave 
penitent believers in Him a new life, and a new disposi- 
tion towards God. 

19 Not reckoning to them their trespasses; Christ having 
borne their sins (sins include trespasses) in His own body 
for them (I Pet. 2:24), the Father no longer reckons be- 
lievers guilty, but free from sin, because His Son put it 
away. 

20 Ambassadors; the true preacher of the Gospel is also 
1 ambassador to represent Christ and the interests of His 

cause. 

Made Him to be sin in our behalf; the Father laid on 
Jesus Christ the iniquity of us all (Isa. 53:6), and treated 
Him as a sinner; delivering Him up to death as a vica- 
rious Sufferer. Jesus died because of our sins, and we 
died in the Person of our Substitute. Christ arose from 
the dead, having in Himself the lite He was to give to His 
followers. Christ is "the Righteousness of God," and 
those who really get Christ get this Righteousness. 



CHAPTER VI. 

1 And, working together with Him., 
we also entreat you that ye receive not 
the grace of God in vain (2 for He 



saith, ' 'At an acceptable time I heard Thee, 
and in a day of salvation did I succor 
Thee; " behold, now is the acceptable time; 
behold, now is the day of salvation) ; 3 



NOTES ON CHAPTER VI. 
1 Tlie grace of God; His provision for pardon and salva- 
tion through Christ. In vain; to no effect. 



2 Be saith; Isa. 49 : 8. 1 heard Thee; the Father is speak- 
ing to the Son. I did succor Thee; in Thy work of redemp- 
tion. The accepted time; the time foretold by prophets, 
when redemption would be wrought out by Jesus Christ. 



II. CORINTHIANS 



261 



giving no occasion of stumbling in any- 
thing, that our ministry be not blamed; 4 
but in everything commending ourselves 
as God's ministers, in much patience, in 
tribulations, in necessities, in distresses, 5 
in stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, 
in toilings, in watchings, in fastings; 6 
in pureness, in knowledge, in long-suffer- 
ing, in kindness, in the Holy Spirit, in 
love unfeigned, 7 in the word of truth, 
in the power of God; through the weapons 
of righteousness on the right hand and on 
the left, 8 through glory and dishonor, 
through evil report and good report; as 
deceivers, and yet true; 9 as unknown, 
and yet well known; as dying, and, behold, 
we live; as chastened, and not killed; 10 
as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, 
yet making many rich; as having nothing, 
and possessing all things. 

11 Our mouth has been open to you, O 
Corinthians! our heart has been enlarged! 



12 Ye are not straitened in us, but ye are 
straitened in your own affections. 13 Now, 
for a recompense in like kind (I am speak- 
ing as to my children), be ye also enlarged. 
14 Become not unequally yoked with 
unbelievers; for what fellowship have 
righteousness and lawlessness? And what 
communion has light with darkness? 15 
And what concord of Christ is there with 
Belial?^ or what portion has a believer 
with an unbeliever? 16 And what agree- 
ment has a temple of God with idols? for 
we are a temple of the living God, as God 
said, "I will dwell in them, and walk in 
them; and I will be their God, and they 
shall be My people." 17 Wherefore, 
"Come ye out from among them, and be 
ye separate," saith the Lord, "and touch 
no unclean thing, and I will receive you; 
18 and I will be to you a Father, and ye 
shall be My sons and daughters," saith the 
Lord Almighty. 



Gr. Beliar. 



3 Giving no occasion of stumbling; meaning that the 
apostles were to give no such occasion. 

4 Commending ourselves as God's ministers; by all that 
is mentioned to the close of the tenth verse. Surely these 
were tests sufficient to prove the apostle's loyalty to Christ, 
and his interest in, and love for. the souls of his fellow- 
men. In vs. 4 and 5, he proves his fidelity to the Gospel 
by the trials and sufferings he endured to propagate it. 

6. 7 In these verses he shows the spiritual graces and 
gifts that characterized him as a minister. In the Holy 
Spirit; Who qualified him for his work. In the word of 
truth : the Gospel of Christ. In thepower of God; displayed 
in the miracles God had wrought through him. The weap- 
ons of righteousness; the Gospel armor, (Eph. 6:13-18). 

8 As deceivers; in the view of many. 

9 As unknown; among the magnates of earth. Well- 
known; to true believers who witnessed and felt the mighty 
power of God working through him. Dying; ever exposed 
to death. We live; being kept alive by God, despite all the 
efforts of Satan and his allies to kill him. 

10 Sorrowful; at the rejectionof Christ by many, and 
the unfaithfulness of many of His disciples. Poor; in 
earthly possessions. Making many rich; in eternal treas- 
ures, (ch. 8:9). 



11 Our mouth has heen open; to speak the wonderful 
things of God, as revealed in the Gospel. Our heart . . . 
enlarged; so as to take in Jew and gentile, even all the peo- 
ple of God. 

13 Te are not straitened in us; you can all find room in 
my heart. In your own affections; your hearts are con- 
tracted, so that ye cannot receive us. 

For a recompense of the samekind; that is, you should 
recompense my large-heartedness toward you with a like 
disposition toward me. 

14 Unequally yoked; Christians ought not to mix up with 
unbelievers, either in business or in marriage. 

5 Belial; Satan. 

6 Te; an assembly of believers. Are a temple of the 
living God; in which He dwells. (Eph. 3:21, 22). God said; 
Ex. 29:45; Lev. 26:13; Ezek. 11:20). 

17 Come out from among them; do not remain tied up 
with unbelievers. Touch no unclean thing; stand aloof 
from every thing wrong. 

18 I will be to you a Father; those who separate them- 
selves from all evil, and yield themselves wholly to God. 
have the living presence and favor of God (John 14:17-21. 
23; Eph. 3:16-19), and become partakers of His holiness 
and nature. (Heb. 12:10; II Peter 1:4). 



CHAPTER VH. 

1 Having, therefore, these promises, 
beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all 
defilement of flesh and spirit, perfecting 
holiness in the fear of God. 

2. Make room for us; we wronged no 



one, we corrupted no one, we defrauded 
no one. 3 I say it not with the view to 
your condemnation; for I have said be- 
fore that ye are in our hearts to die to- 
gether and to live together. 4 Great is 
my boldness toward you; great is my glo- 



NOTES ON CHAPTER VII. 

1 These promises; mentioned in ch. 6:16-18. Cleansing be- 
comes possible as one has God ruling in him. DeJUement 
of flesh; sinful desires. Of spirit; anger, pride, envy, 
jealousy, etc. 

2 Make room for us; in y owe "hsaxts. Give us your love 
and confidence ; and thus "be enlarged" (v. 6). 



3 I say it not with the view to your condemnation; allud- 
ing to what he had just said in v. 2. He wishes them to 
know that love is at the bottom of all he is saying to 
them. 

4 My glorying on your behalf; because of their ready 
obedience. 



262 



II. CORINTHIANS 



rying on your behalf; I am filled with 
consolation; I overflow with joy in all our 
tribulation. 

5 For even when we came into Mace- 
donia, our flesh had no relief; but we were 
in tribulation on every side; without were 
fightings, within were fears. 6 But God, 
who consoleth the lowly, consoled us by 
the coming of Titus; 7 and not by his 
coming only, but also by the consolation 
with which he was consoled over you; re- 
hearsing to us your earnest desire, your 
mourning, your zeal for me; so that I re- 
joiced the more: 8 because, even if I did 
make you sorry with my letter, I do not 
regret ii, though I did regret it; for I see 
that that letter made yog. sorry, though 
but for a season. 9 Now I rejoice, not 
that ye were made sorry, but that ye were 
made sorry unto repentance; for ye were 
made sorry after a godly ^ manner, that in 
nothing ye might receive damage from us. 
10 For godly sorrow works repentance 
unto salvation, not to be repented of; but 
the sorrow of the world works death. 11 



Gr According to God. 



For, behold this very thing — that ye were 
made sorry after a godly manner — what 
diligence it wrought in you; yea, what de- 
fense of yourselves; yea, what indigna- 
tion; yea, what fear; yea. what earnest 
desire; yea, what zeal; yea, what aveng- 
ing! In everything ye proved yourselves 
to be pure in the matter. 12 So, although 
I wrote to you, it was not on account of 
him who did the wrong, nor of him who 
suffered wrong, but that your earnest care 
on our behalf might be manifested to you 
in the sight of God. 13 For this cause, 
we have been consoled; but, in our conso- 
lation, we rejoice the more exceedingly 
for the joy of Titus, because his spirit has 
been refreshed by you all. 14 For, if in 
anything I have gloried to him on your 
behalf, I was not made ashamed; but, as 
we spake all things to you in truth, so 
also our glorying before Titus was found 
to be truth. 15 And his tender affections 
are more abundantly toward you, while 
he remembers the obedience of you all, 
how with fear and trembling ye received 
him. 16 I rejoice, that in everything I 
have good courage concerning you. 



5 Fightinos fierce oppositions against the Gospel, and 
against himself for preaching it. Fears: alluding, possi- 
bly, tc his apprehensions that they might not understand 
his first letter. 

6 By the coming of Titus: from Corinth to Macedonia, 
to report to Paul the effect of his first letter to the Co- 
rinthians 

! Rehearsing: telling Paul of their great love for him. 
Mourning; over the sins and irregularities of some of the 
members 

8 Though I did regret it: the first letter, though it cost 
the apostle much anxiety, had such a happy effect, that all 
regrets were now gone. 

9 Madt sorry unto repentance; their sorrow had led 
them to repentance, as seen in their reformation and in 
the correction of the evil, 

10 After a godly manner their chief sorrow grew out of 
the fact that they saw that their evils were against the 
will of God. 



Defense: clearing themselves from blame. Indigna- 
tion: against the incestuous man. Fear: fear of God's 
judgments against evil-doers. Avenging: imposing just 
discipline upon the offender. Pure: as having cleansed 
themselves from that foul sin. 

12 Not for his sake: only, or chiefly. Who suffered 
wrong: the outraged father. (I Cor. 5:1). Paul had nothing 
personal against either the man who did the wrong (the 
incestuous man), or his father; he wished, most of all, to 
purify the assembly, and get them on a healthy basis. 

13 The more exceedingly; the great joy of Titus, over 
the happy results of Paul's first letter to the Corinthians, 
greatly augmented the apostle's joy also. 

14 Gloried to Mm; Paul had spoken to Titus in a com- 
plimentary manner regarding the Corinthians: and he de- 
clares that he had not said too much in their favor. 

15 His tender affections; Titus had come to love the Co- 
rinthian brethren more intensely, after witnessing their 
loyalty to God, and their fidelity to the truth. 



CHAPTEE, VIII. 

1 And we make known to you, breth- 
ren, the grace of God which has been be- 
stowed in the assemblies of Macedonia; 2 
that, in much trial of tribulation, the 
abundance of their joy and their deep pov 



erty abounded to the riches of their liber- 
ality. 3 For, according to their power, I 
bear witness, and beyond their power, 
they gave of their own accord; 4 be- 
seeching us with much entreaty as to the 
grace and the participation in the minis- 
tering to the saints; 5 and they did this 



NOTES ON CHAPTER VUI. 

1 The grace of God; as manifested in the liberality of 
the assemblies in Macedonia. 

2 The abundance of their joy; their joy in Christ; 
prompting themto liberal giving. Deep poverty: their pov 
eity made their contributions appear as a richer expres- 



sion of their love. It is what is left after giving, that de- 
termines the quality of the gift, and the character of the 
giver, (Mark 12:43, 44; Luke 21:3,4). 

3 Of their own accord: without solicitation or appeal. 

4 With much entreaty: that they might be permitted to 
give, and take part in this ministry'. 



II. CORINTHIANS 



263 



not as we hoped, but they first gave them- 
selves to the Lord, and to us through the 
will of God; 6 so that we exhorted Titus 
that, as he began before, so also he would 
finish in you this same grace also. 7 But, 
as ye abound in everything — in faith, and 
speech, and knowledge, and all diligence, 
and in your love to us — see that ye abound 
in this grace also. 8 I am not speaking 
by way of command; but as proving, 
through the diligence of others, the sin- 
cerity of your love. 9 For ye know the 
grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, 
though He was rich, for your sakes He 
became poor, that ye through His poverty 
might become rich. 10 And I give my 
judgment in this; for this is profitable for 
you, who, indeed, began before others, a 
year ago, not only to do, but also to will. 
11 And now complete the doing also; that, 
as there was a readiness to will, so there 
may he the completion out of^ what ye 
have; 12 for, if the readiness is present, 
it is acceptable according to what one has, 
not according to what he has not. 13 For 
it is not that tliere may be relief to others, 
but distress to you; 14 but, by theruleof 
equality, your abundance leing a supply, 
at the present time, for their deficiency; 
that also their abundance may be a sup- 
ply for your want, that there may be 
equality: 15 as it has been written, "He 



that gathered much had nothing over; and 
he that gathered little had no lack." 

16 But thanks le to God Who putteth the 
same diligence for you into the heart of 
Titus. 17 For he accepted, indeed, our 
exhortation; but, being very earnest, he 
went forth to you of his own accord. 18 
And we sent with him the brother whose 
praise in the Gospel is in all the assem- 
blies; 19 and not that only, but who was 
also appointed by the assemblies, as our 
fellow-traveler with this gift which is min- 
istered by us to the glory of the Lord, and 
our zeal; 20 avoiding this, that no one 
should blame us in the matter of this 
bounty which is ministered by us; 21 
for we provide^ things honorable, not 
only in the sight of the Lord, tut also in 
the sight of men. 22 And we sent with 
them our brother, whom we often in many 
things proved to be diligent, but now 
much more diligent by reason of his great 
confidence in you. 

23 Whether any one inquires about Titus, 
is my partner, and my fellow-worker 
in your behalf;'' or our brethren, they are 
the messengers of the assemblies, the 
glory of Christ. 24 Show ye, therefore, 
toward them, before the assemblies, the 
proof of your love, and of our glorying on 
your behalf. 



1 Or, according to your means. 



2 Or. strive to exhibit. 3 Gr. Into, or unto. 



5 jfot as we hoped; but giving far more than was ex- 
I)ecte(J. They first gave themselves to the Lord; this was the 
■wisest thing they could have done; thus giving God a 
chance to enrich them, (Gal. 5:22, 23). 

6 As he began; gathering collections for the poor saints 
at Jerusalem. 

7 In this grace also; the grace of liberal giving. 

8 Not by way of command; he would not prescribe the 
amounts they should give; but he urges them by the ex- 
ample of others, and by their love for the saints. 

9 He was rich; before His incarnation; possessing all 
material values (John 1:3; Col. 1:16, 17). and glory with the 
Father, (John 17:5). He becamepoor; Phil. 2:7; Matt. 8:20; 
John 17:5. That ye might become rich; rich in divine fel- 
lowship, (John 14:17-21, 23; Eph. 3:16-19; I John 1:3); rich 
inthetruitage or the Spirit. (Gal. 5. 22, 23; II Cor. 3:18); 
rich in power for service. (Acts 1 ;8; II Cor. 9:8; Heb. 13:20. 
51); and rich in eternal wealth and honor. (Rev. 21:7; 3:21). 

10 In this; in the matter of making their contributions. 
Who began before others; before the assemblies in Mace- 
donia. 

11 Now complete the doing also; ye began well ; now com- 
plete it. 

12 The readiness: to give. According to what one has; 
one's ability to give measures one's responsibility to give. 

14 Your contributions at this time will, in part at least, 
relieve their present needs. For your want; it you should 
become needy. 



15 It has been written; (Ex. 16:18). There is a plenty 
tor all, it it can be distributed. What vast stores of "stale 
manna " many rich Christians have on hand! 

16 The same diligence; in completing the contribution. 

17 The exhortation; to visit Corinth. 

19 With this gift; the contribution that the apostle was 
to carry to Jerusalem. 

20 No one should blame us; blame us for the improper 
use of the money. This bounty; the sum of the contribu- 
tions to be forwarded to Jerusalem. 

21 Things honorable ; that both God and good men ap- 
prove, 

22 The brother; Titus. 

23 Paul owns his high regard for Titus, calling him his 
partner and fellow-worker. Ourbrethren; the messengers 
of the assemblies, chosen to accompany Paul to Jerusalem 
with the contributions for the poor saints. The glory of 
Christ: persons who live tor Christ, and reflect His glories 
in their lives, are "the glory of Christ." 

24 The proof of your love; in the magnificence of your 
contribution. 

N. B.—Y. 9 furnishes the best argument for exhaustive 
giving to the cause of Christ, of any that one can imagine: 
Christ giving up His boundless riches and glory, and be- 
coming poor, with the view of making vast numbers of 
bankrupt sinnerJeternally richl 



264 



II. GORINTHIANS 



CHAPTEE IX. 

1 For, indeed, respecting the minister- 
ing to the saints, it is superfluous for me 
to write to you; 2 for I know your read- 
iness, of which I glory on your behalf to 
the Macedonians, that Achaia has been 
prepared for a year past; and your zeal 
stirred up the majority of them. 3 But I 
sent the brethren, that our glorying on 
your behalf may not be made void in this 
respect; that even as I said, ye may be pre- 
pared; 4 lest by any means, if the Mace- 
donians should come with me, and find 
you unprepared, we (that we say not ye) 
should be put to shame in this confi- 
dence. 5 I thought it necessary, there- 
fore, to exhort the brethren, that they 
should go before to you, and make up 
beforehand your previously promised 
bounty, that this may be ready as a matter 
of bounty and not as of covetousness. 6 
But I say this: He that sows sparingly 
shall also reap sparingly; and he that sows 
bountifully shall also reap bountifully. 7 
Let each one do as he has purposed in his 



heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for 
Grod loveth a cheerful giver. 8 And God 
is able to make all grace abound to you; 
that ye, always having all sufficiency in 
every thing, may abound to every -good 
work: 9 as it has been written, "He scat- 
tered abroad, he gave to the poor; his 
righteousness abides forever." 10 And 
He Who supplieth seed to the sower, and 
bread for food, will supply and multiply 
your seed sown, and increase the fruits 
of your righteousness; 11 ye being en- 
riched in everything to all liberality, which 
works through us thanksgiving to God. 12 
Because the ministry of this service not 
only fully supplies the deficiencies of the 
saints, but abounds also through many 
thanksgivings to God; 13 through the 
proof of this ministry, glorifying God for 
the subjection of your confession to the 
Gospel of Christ, and for the liberality of 
your contribution to them and to all; 14 
they also, with supplication for you, long- 
ing after you on account of the exceeding 
grace of God upon you. 15 Thanks le to 
God for His unspeakable gifti 



NOTES ON CHAPTER IX. 

1 Ministering to the saints ; the collection for tlie saints 
in Judaea. 

2 Tour readiness; to distribute to the necessities of the 
saints. Achaia; that part of Greece of which Corinth was 
the capital. Has heen ready; ready for the collection. 

3 Our glorying on your behalf; in regard to their willing- 
ness to contribute. 

4 Unprepared; not ready to put in their gifts along 
with others. Put to shame; if they should fail. 

5 Qo before; in advance of Paul and other traveling 
companions. 

6 Sparingly . . . bountifully; he who gives grudgingly 
can scarcely be said to give at all, whatever be the size of 
his gift ; while the loving, whole-hearted giver is measured, 
not by the size of his gift, but by the motive back of it. A 
penny given for Jesus' sake is more than a million dolla.rs 
given for show. 

8 All grace; every good gift. 



9 As it has been written; Ps. 112:9. Bis righteousness; 
as seen in his works of love and mercy. Abides forever; 
will never fail of recognition in this world, or in the world 
to come, (Matt, 25:34-40). 

10 Increase the fruit of your righteousness; give you 
larger opportunities to work for Him. 

11 To aH ZiberaZify; towards all good causes. Thanks~ 
givings to God; from many recipients of your liberality. 

12 The ministry of this service; the bestowment or dis- 
tribution of their contributions. 

13 Through ths proof of this ministry; the proof which 
the beneficiaries would have of your liberality in contrib- 
uting to supply their needs. The subjection of your pro- 
fession; showing that they were not Christians in name 
only, but in deed and in truth. 

14 Longing after you ; because of the grace bestowed 
upon you by the Giver of all good. Every true Christian 
should be greatly interested in the welfare of every other- 
and it should be the delight of each to contribute to sup- 
ply the needs of all others. 



CHAPTER X. 

1 Now I, Paul, myself entreat you, 
through the meekness and gentleness of 
Christ, who in your presence, indeed, am 
lowly among you; but, being absent, am 



bold toward you; 2 but I pray that, when 
present, I may not show courage with the 
confidence with which I purpose to be bold 
against some who reckon us as walking 
according to the flesh. 3 For, though 
walking in flesh, we are not warring ac- 



NOTES ON CHAPTER X. 
1 Through the meekness and gentleness of Christ; which 
the apostle wished them to imitate. In your presence; the 
apostle here alludes, probably, to his own small stature, 
and to the fact, that, in their presence, he would appear 
small. ^ 



2 May not show courage; or have any occasion to use his 
apostolic office to humble them. Against some; his prbud 
and- boastful opposers. These he would not spare. 

3 Though walking in flesh; in a, TuxuBan hody. Though 
living in a human body, he was not governed by carnal 
principles. 



II. CORINTHIANS 



265 



cording to the flesh, (4 for the weapons 
of our warfare are not fleshly, but mighty- 
through^ God for the casting down of 
strongholds); 5 casting down reasonings,'^ 
and every high thing lifting itself, up 
against the knowledge of God, and bring- 
ing every thought into captivity to the 
obedience of Christ; 6 and holding our 
selves in readiness to avenge every disobe 
dience, when your obedience is made com 
plete. 

7 Ye look at things according to appear 
ance. If anyone has trusted to himself 
that he is Christ's, let him consider this 
again with himself, that, as he is Christ's, 
so also are we. 8 For, even if I glory 
somewhat more abundantly concerning our 
authority — which the Lord gave for build- 
ing you up, not for tearing you down — I 
shall not be put to shame; 9 that I may 
not seem as if I would terrify you with 
letters; 10 because, ''^ His letters, in- 
deed," says one, ''are weighty and strong, 
but his bodily presence is weak, and his 
speech contemptible." 11 Let such a one 



Or, hy. 2 Or, imaginations. 



consider this: that such as we are in word 
through letters, when absent; such also are 
we in deed, when present. 12 For we are 
not bold to judge ourselves among, or 
to compare ourselves with, some of those 
who commend themselves; but they meas- 
uring themselves among themselves, and 
comparing themselves with themselves, 
are without understanding. 13 But we 
will not glory beyond our measure, but 
according to the measure of the limit 
which God apportioned to us as a measure, 
to reach even to you. 14 For we stretch 
not ourselves overmuch, as if not reaching 
to you; for we came even .as far as to you 
in the Gospel of Christ; 15 not glorying 
beyond our measure in other men's labors; 
but, having hope that, as your faith in- 
creases, we shall be enlarged among you 
according to our limit to further abund- 
ance, 16 so as to proclaim the Gospel in 
the regions beyond you, not to glory in 
another's limit in. the things made ready 
to our hand. 17 But he that glories let 
hira glory in the Lord; 18 for not he that 
commends himself is approved, but whom 
the Lord commendeth. 



4 Weapons . . . not fleshly; or s'jch as natural men use 
as, -wealth, learning, talent, fraud, etc. 

5 Casting down reasonings and every high thing; all proud 
thoughts and lofty imaginations of men -with which they 
oppose the Gospel. 

6 To avenge; to punish in his apostolic office. When 
your obedience; -when you have proved yourselves obedient 
to all the requirements of the Gospel. 

7 According to appearance; -without examining to get at 
the real merits of the case. 

8 Our authority; as an inspired apostle. I shouldhe put 
to shame; for I am ready to do all that I claim. 



9 Terrify you uith my Letters; frighten you -with words, 
without power. 

10 One says; some opposer. 

13 The apostle means to say that he had kept himself 
strictly within the limits God had assigned him. 

15 Enlarged among you; have great influence among 
them, or have his territory extended through their influ- 
ence. 

16 So as to proclaim the Gospel; as a result of their co- 
operation, in regions beyond them. The apostle did not 
wish to usurp another's field of labor, but was willing to 
carry the Gospel into new fields, and build up from the 
foundation. 



CHAPTER XI. 

1 Would that ye could bear with me in 
acme little foolishness! Yea, indeed, ye 
do bear with me. 2 For I am jealous over 
you with a godly jealousy;^ for I espoused 
you to one husband, that I may present 
you as a pure virgin to Christ; 3 but I 
fear lest, by any means, as the serpent be- 



1 Or, jealousy of God. 



guiled Eve in his craftiness, your minds 
should be corrupted from the simplicity 
and purity which ^■s toward Christ. 4 For, 
if he that comes preaches another Jesus, 
Whom we did not preach; or, if ye re- 
ceive a different spirit, which ye did not 
receive, or a different Gospel, which ye 
did not accept; well do ye bear with him. 
5 For I reckon that I am in no respect be- 
hind the most eminent apostles. 6 And 



NOTES ON CHAPTER XI. 

1 Some little foolishness; the recital of so many per- 
sonal experiences, which had come to him in the service 
of Christ, might have been unwise under other conditions. 

2 Espoused you to one husband; the apostle had been 
the means of uniting them by faith to Christ, and he is 
greatly concerned that they should, at the appearing of 
the Bridegroom, be ready to meet Him. 



-5. Corruption; by false 



In his craftiness; Gen. 
teachers, 

i Well did ye hear with Mm; if another taught any real 
truth, which the apostle had not taught them; but this 
they had not done; and so they added nothing to his 
teachings. 

5 Behind in no respect; his works among them ranked 
him among the first of the apostles; and therefore there 
was no need of these self-appointedteachers who had im- 
posed their services upon them. 



266 



II. CORINTHIANS 



though I he rude in speech, yet am /not 
rude in knowledge; but in every way hav- 
ing manifested it toward you in all things. 
7 Or did I commit a sin in abasing my- 
self, that ye might be exalted, because 1 
proclaimed to you the Gospel of God 
without cost? 8 I robbed other assem- 
blies, taking wages of them^ that I might 
minister to you; 9 and, being present 
with you, and being in want, I was a bur- 
den to no one; for the brethren, coming 
from Macedonia, supplied my lack; and 
in everything I kept myself from being 
burdensome to you, and so will keep my- 
self. 10 As the truth of Christ is in me, 
th^ glorying shall not be stopped in re- 
gard to me in the regions of Achaia. 11 
Wherefore? because I do not love you? 
God knowethl 12 But what I am doing, 
I also will do, that I may cut oflE the occa- 
sion from those desiring occasion, that 
wherein they glory they may be found 
even as we. 13 For such men are false 
apostles, deceitful workers, transforming 
themselves into apostles of Christ; 14 
and no wonder, for even Satan himself 
transforms himself into an angel of light! 
15 It is no great thing, therefore, if his 
ministers also transform themselves as 
ministers of righteousness; whose end 
will be according to their works. 

16 I say again, let no one think me 
foolish; but, if ye do, yet as foolish re- 
ceive me, that I too may glory a little. 17 
What I am speaking I speak not accord- 
ing to the Lord, but as in foolishness, in 



this confidence of boasting. 18 Since 
many glory according to the flesh, I also 
will glory; 19 for ye gladly bear with 
the foolish, being yourselves wise. 20 
For ye bear with it, if one brings you 
into bondage, if one devours you, if one 
takes you captive, if one exalts himself, if 
one smites you on the face. 21 I speak 
by way of dishonor,^ as though we were 
weak; but in whatever anyone is bold (I 
speak in foolishness), I also am bold. 22 
Are they Hebrews? so am I. Are they 
Israelites ? so am I. Are they Abraham's 
seed? so am I. 23 Are they ministers of 
Christ? (I speak as beside myself) I am 
more; in labors more abundantly, in pris- 
ons more abundantly, in stripes above meas- 
ure, in deaths often; 24 from the Jews 
five times I received forty stripes save one; 

25 thrice I was beaten with rods; once I 
I was stoned; thrice I suffered shipwreck; 
a night and a day I have spent in the deep; 

26 in journeyings often, in perils of riv- 
ers, in perils of robbers, in perils from 
my countrymen, in perils from the gen- 
tiles, in perils in the city, in perils in the 
wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils 
among false brethren; 27 in toil and 
hardship, in watchings often, in hunger 
and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and 
nakedness. 28 Apart from those things 
without, that which is a pressure upon me 
daily, anxiety for all the assemblies. 29 
Who is weak, and I am not weak? Who 



2 Or, disparagement. 



6 Bude in speech; as charged by his enemies, (ch. 10:10). 

7 In aiasing myself; by working with my own hands. 
<Acts 18:3). 

8 Taking wages of them; receiving supplies from them. 

9 Burdensome to you; he supported himself with his 
own hands, and hence was no burden to them. 

10 Tliis glorying; that he preached without compensa- 
tion from the Corinthians. 

11, 12 It was not because the apostle did not love them, 
that he supported himself; but that he might afford no 
occasion to his enemies to say that he was moved by the 
spirit of gain. 

13 Transforming themselves into apostles; boldly claim- 
ing to be apostles, when they were only Satan's servants, 

14, 15 Satan is still trying to assume the guise of an 
angel of light; willing to lend his power, wisdom, and 
wealth, to any one who can mislead many of God's people. 

16 Let no one think me foolish; in speaking so much of 
' myself. Beceiveme as foolish: that I may have an oppor- 
tunity to convince you to the contrary. 

17 Not according to the Lord; he did not claim to be in- 
spired in his present utterances, yet his sanctified com- 
mon sense, he felt, justified his course. 

19 Gladly do ye bear with the foolish; you have borne 



with many false, foolish teachers; and you should now 
afford to bear a little with me. 

20 Ye suffer: that is, ye submit to have men usurp au- 
thority over you, to despoil you of your goods, etc.. which 
took place at the hands of the false teachers who had im- 
posed themselves upon them. 

21 By way of dishonor; his enemies sought to fasten 
the charges of dishonor and cowardice upon him; but he 
repels the charges. I .am bold also; for he goes beyond 
them in all their claims for pre-eminence. Who could 
equal the apostle's record of labors, sufferings, and perils, 
as seen in vs. 22-27? 

25 I have spent a night and a day in the deep; referring, 
probably, to some of his narrow escapes from shipwreck; 
floating, possibly, for a night and day on a plank, or some- 
thing else. 

28 Apart from the things without; besides other things, 
which he further recounts. Besides all other cares and 
troubles, there was a daily pressure upon him in his anx- 
iety for the assemblies, that were exposed to the depreda- 
tions of false teachers. 

29 The apostle deeply sympathized with every weak 
believer, and felt keenly all the wrongs inflicted upon 
Goti's children. 



II. CORINTHIANS 



267 



is caused to stumble, and I burn not ? 30 
If I must glory, I will glory in the things 
that pertain to my weakness. 31 The 
Grod and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, 
Who is blessed forevermore, knoweth that 
I lie not. 32 In Damascus the governor 



30 I will glory in the things that pertain to my weakness; 
the realization of his own weakness drove him to cling 
the closer to Christ, and to become the recipient of His 



under Aretas the king guarded the city of 
the Damascenes in order to arrest me; 33 
and through a window I was let down in a 
basket by^ the wall, and escaped his 
hands. 



Or, through. 



great power and protection; thus verifying the statement 
(ch. 12:10), " When I am weak, then am I powerful." Many 
of God's children know something of this glorious paradox. 



CHAPTER XII. 

1 It is needful /ar me to glory, though, 
indeed, not profitable; but I will come to 
visions and revelations of the Lord. 2 I 
know a man in Christ, fourteen years ago 
(whether in the body I know not, or 
whether out of the body I know not, God 
knoweth), such a one caught up even to 
the Third Heaven. 3 And I know such a 
man (whether in the body, or apart from 
the body, I know not, God knoweth), 4 
that he was caught up into Paradise, and 
heard unutterable sayings, which it is not 
lawful for a man to speak. 5 On behalf 
of such a one I will glory; but on my own 
behalf I will not glory, except in my weak- 
nesses. 6 For, if I should desire to glory, 
I would not be foolish, for I shall be speak- 
ing truth; but I forbear, lest some one 
should think, in regard to me, above what 
he sees me to he, or hears from me. 1 And, 
that I might not be exalted overmuch by 
the exceeding greatness of the revelations, 
there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, 
a messenger of Satan to buffet me, that I 



might not be exalted overmuch. 8 Con- 
cerning this thing I besought the Lord 
thrice, that it might depart from me. 9 
And He hath said to me, "My grace is 
sufficient for you; for My power is made 
perfect in weakness." Most gladly, 
therefore, will I rather glory in my weak- 
nesses, that the power of Christ may rest- 
upon me. 10 Wherefore, I take pleasure 
in weaknesses, in reproaches, in necessi- 
ties, in persecutions, in distresses, for 
Christ's sake; for when I am weak, then 
am I powerful. 

11 I have become foolish; ye compelled 
me; for I ought to be commended by you; 
for in nothing was I inferior to the most 
eminent apostles, even if I am nothing. 12 
The signs, indeed, of an apostle were 
wrought out among you in all patience, 
by ^ signs and wonders and mighty works. 
13 For what is there in which you were 
made inferior to the rest of the assemblies, 
except that I myself was not burdensome 
to you? forgive me this wrong ! 



Or, in. 



NOTES ON CHAPTER XII. 

1 Needful for me to glory; tw mention more of the 
Lord's dealings with me. Though not profitable; to you, 
but justified by the circumstances. 

2 I know a man; meaning himself. The Third Seaven; 
the place where God's Presence is peculiarly manifested. 

3 Whether in . . . or apart from the body; the apostle 
did not know whether he was caught up with or without 
his body. 

4 Caught up into Paradise; transported into Paradise, 
or the Third Heaven. Unutterable sayings; sayings which 
he had no language to utter. Not lawful for man to speak; 
because he had no language adequate to express the won- 
derful vision. 

5 Of such a one will I glory; he glories in the fact that 
he was honored with such a vision. Except in my w 
nesses; he seems to recognize Paul caught up to the Third 
Heaven as one person, and Paul tied on to a human body 
with human frailties, as another, whose weaknesses alone 
are to be gloried in. 

6 I would not be foolish; the great glory of the vision 
should excuse his apparent immodesty in speaking of it, 
The apostle, however, preferred to be judged of by his 
life and teachings, rather than his visions. 



7 A thorn in the flesh; probably some physical infirm- 
ity. The messenger of Satan; the thorn in the flesh was 
something that Satan used to buffet the apostle. God per- 
mitted this thorn to be sent, that Paul might not be ex- 
alted by reason of the excellent vision given him. 

8 / besought the Lord thrice; to remove the thorn. 

9 My grace is sufficient; to sustain you in your present 
emergency. The language would seem to imply that the 
thorn remained, but that the grac'e of God was so abun- 
dantly bestowed, that, upon the whole, he came oft gainer. 
Yet it is not usual for any evil to be permitted to remain 
longer than is necessary to teach one the lesson meant to 
be taught. 

10 Take pleasure in weaknesses; whatever served to show 
him his utter inability to meet issues in his own strength 
and wisdom. The natural man rebels at such exposures; 
but one who is living the crucified life understands the 
apjstle's meaning. 

1 1 Te compelled me; your treatment of me made it neces- 
sary for me to appear foolish, in speaking so much of my- 
self. 

12 His works in their midst showed him to be an apostle. 

13 The apostle seems to be using pleasantry, bordering 
closely to irony, in this verse. 



II. CORINTHIANS 



14 Behold, this third time I am ready 
to come to you, and I will not be burden- 
some to you; for I seek not yours, but you; 
for the children ought not to lay up for 
the parents, but the parents for the chil- 
dren. 15 And I will most gladly spend 
and be spent for your souls. If I love you 
more abundantly, am I to he loved the less? 
16 But be it so, I did not burden you; but, 
being crafty, I caught you with guile. 17 
Did I gain advantage over you through 
any one of those whom I have sent to you? 
18 I entreated Titus, and sent with him 
the brother. Did Titus take advantage of 
you? Did we not walk in the same spirit? 
did we not walk in the same steps ? 



19 Think ye all this time that we are ex- 
cusing ourselves to you? Before God in 
Christ we are speaking; and all, beloved, 
for your edification. 20 For I fear, lest 
by any means, when I come, I should find 
you not such as I desire, and that I, too, 
should be found by you such as ye do not 
desire; lest, by any means, there should he 
strife, jealousy, wraths, factions, backbit- 
ings; whisperings, swellings, tumults; 21 
lest, when I come again, my God should 
humble me before you, and I should mourn 
for many of those who have heretofore 
sinned, and repented not of the unclean- 
ness, and fornication and lasciviousness 
which they practiced. 



14 This third time; so far as known, he had visited them 
tut once before, but he had expected to visit them, and had 
deferred it; but he was now ready the third time. Not 
yours, but you; he was not seeking their money, but their 
souls, that he might benefit them in the highest degree. 

16 / caught you with guile; alluding, probably, to the 
charge of his enemies, that he got money under false pre 
tenses, or appropriated the collections for the poor saints 
to his own uses. This charge he denies in vs. 17, 18. 



19 Excusing ourselves to you; as if ye were appointed to 
judge me. Before God in Christ we are speaking; God Is 
our Judge, and we are speaking as in His presence, and 
with the utmost sincerity, and for your edification. 

20 Not such as I desire; he was apprehensive that, when 
he should meet them, he would find in them many things 
to correct. 

21 Should humble me; over your irregularities, factions, 
wrangles, etc. 



CHAPTER Xni. 

1 This is the third time I am coming to 
you. At the mouth of two witnesses, and 
of three, shall every word be established 

2 I have said beforehand, and I do say be 
forehand, as if present at the second time, 
and, being now absent, I write* to those 
who heretofore have sinned, and to all the 
rest; that, if I come again, I will not spare 

3 since ye seek a proof of Christ's speaking 
in me, Who toward you is not weak, but 
is powerful in you; 4 for, indeed, H 
was crucified through weakness, but He 
liveth through the power of God. For we 
also are weak in Him, but we shall live 



with Him through the power of God to- 
ward you. 5 Try* yourselves, whether 
ye are in the faith; prove yourselves. Or 
know ye not as to yourselves, that Jesus 
Christ is in you, unless ye be rejected ? ^ 6 
But I hope that ye shall know, that we are 
not rejected.^ 7 Now we pray to God that 
ye do no evil; not that we may appear ap- 
proved, but that ye may do what is honor- 
able, though^ we be rejected. 8 For we 
can do nothing against the truth, but for 
the truth. 9 For we rejoice, when we are 
weak, and ye are strong; this also we pray 
for — your perfection. 10 For this cause, I 
write these things while absent; that I 



omit, I write. 



1 Or, test. 2 Or, without approval. 3 Gr. And, 
hut. 



NOTES ON CHAPTER XIII. 

1 This third time; see note on ch. 12:14. At the mouth 
of two witnesses; on the testimony of , (Deut. 17:6; 19:15) 

2 I will not spare; I will exercise strict discipline, as ai 
apostle of Christ. 

3 Since ye seek a proof; some denied that Christ spake 
in him; and he refers them to the mighty power that had 
worked In them through his ministry. 

4 Crucified through weakness; after the reception of hu- 
man guilt In the garden of Gethsemane, Jesus became 
very weak physically, (see John 19:17 with Matt. 27:31, 32). 
We are weak in Him; true Christian? have fellowship with 
Christ in His weakness and sufferings. 

5 Try yourselves; examine, whether ye be in the faith— 
the faith that unites to Christ. Christ is in you. unless ye 



be rejected; true Christianity necessitates the presence of 
Jesus In the believer, (John 6:56; 14:20; 15:4. 5; 17:23, 26; 
Eph. 3:17; Col. 1 :27, etc.). The Father approves those be- 
lievers who are fully yielded to Him, and in whom His 
Son is permitted to rule. No doubt, there are many saved, 
who know little or nothing of Christ enthroned in their 
hearts, (seel Cor. 3:15); but these are not approved and 
honored as those will be, who let Jesus rule in them, and 
make them overcomers, (Rev. 3:20, 21; 21:7). 

7. Paul loved the Corinthians so well, that he was will- 
ing to appear as condemned. If they would be true to God 
in all things. 

9 And so he was willing to appear weak, if only they 
might be strong in the true sense. 



11. CORINTHIANS 



269 



may not, when present, deal sharply ac- 
cording to the authority which the Lord 
gave me for building up, and not casting 
down. 

11 Finally, brethren, farewell.* Be per- 
fected, be comforted, think the same 

4 Or, rejoice. 

10 I may not deal . . . sharply; he hoped his second letter 
miijht correct all their remaining errors, that he mijfht be 
spared the necessity of using severe means. The apostle 
liad a great dislike to wrangling, and sought to avoid it. 



thing; be at peace; and the God of love 
and peace will be with you. 12 Salute 
one another with a holy kiss. 13 All the 
saints salute you. 

14 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, 
and the love of God, and the communion 
of the Holy Spirit, be with you all. 

11 Be perfected; in your faith and practice. Be com- 
forted; with the consolation offered them in this letter. 

12 With a holy kiss; an early method of Christian salu- 
tation. 



— THE — 



EPISTLE TO THE GAI^ATXAJN^S. 



The Greek Galatia, answering to the Latin Gallia (Gaul), was one of the central provinces of Asia Minor- and 
the people who Inhabited it had immigrated thither about 280 B. C. : having crossed over from Thrace, and beio igiae 
to the race known as Gauls. The different assemblies or congregations of believers in Galatia were, probab.v a 
founded by Paul and his fellow-laborers. Paul made two missionary visits to Galatia, (Acts 16 6; 18:23). This epistle 
was meant to apply to all the assemblies which Paul had planted in Galatia. These assemblies began well (en 5 T 
but Judaizing teachers came in. insisting that unless Gentile believers were circumcised, thev could not be saved. 
(Acts 15:1) ; and it appears that they had great success in leading them from the simplicity of the Gospel To correct 
this great error, this epistle was written. It was probably written from Ephesus or Corinth, about A. D. 5a 

CONTENTS. 

I. Introductory address, (1:1-10): the salutation, (1:1-5); the Galatian departure from the truth, (1:6-10) II 
Personal and historical retrospect: Paul's teachings received from God, not man. (1:11. 12), as proved; (a) from his 
education. (1:13.14); (b) his conversion, (1:15-17); (c) his intercourse with the other apostles, (1:18-21; II-. -.0)- (d) 
his controversy with Peter. (11:15-21). HI. Inferiority of Judaism, or legal Christianity, to the doctrina of faith, 
(111:1— IV: 1-31): (a) Galatians bewitched from a spiritual system to a carnal one, (111:1-5); against the witness of 
Abraham, (111:6-9); that faith alone can save, (111:10-14); (b) promise made to faith not annulled by the law. (III- 
15-18); the law being disciplinary (111:19-29), and tutelary, (IV:l-7); (c) past zeal of the Galatians contrasted with 
their present coldness. (IV: 12-20); (d) allegory of Isaac and Ishmael, (IV:21-31). IV Hortatory application. (V.I— 
VI:l-10): (a) Christian liberty excludes Judaism, (V:l-12); (b) liberty, not license, but love, (V:13-15)- (c) works of 
the flesh and Spirit contrasted, (V:16-26); (d) duty of sympathy, (VI:l-5); (e) liberality. (VI:6-10). V. Conclusion, 
directed against the Judaizers. (VI: 11-18). 



CHAPTER I. 

1 Paul, an apostle (not from men nor 
through man, but through Jesus Christ, 
and God the Father, who raised Him from 
the dead), 2 and all the brethren with me, 
to the assemblies of Galatia: 3 Grace to 
you, and peace from God the Father, and 
our Lord Jesus Christ, 4 Who gave Him- 
self for our sins, that He might deliver us 
out of the present evil age, according to 
the will of our God and JFather; 6 to 
Whom he the glory for ever and ever. 
Amen. 

6 I marvel that ye are so quickly re- 
moving from Him Who called you in the 
grace of Christ, to a dilfferent Gospel, 7 
which is not another; only there are some 
who are troubling you, and wishing to per- 
vert the Gospel of Christ. 8 But even if 
we or an angel out of Heaven should pro- 
claim a Gospel to you other than that which 
we delivered to you, let him be accursed! 



9 As we have said before, even now also I 
say again, if any one is delivering a Gos- 
pel to you, contrary to that which ye re- 
ceived, let him be accursed. 10 For am I 
now seeking the favor of men, or of God? 
Or am I seeking to please men? If still I 
were pleasing men, I should not be Christ's 
servant. 

11 For I make known to you, brethren, 
that the Gospel which was proclaimed by 
me is not according to man ; 12 for neither 
did I receive it from man, nor was I taught 
it, but I received it through revelation of 
Jesus Christ. 13 For ye heard of my con- 
duct formerly in Judaism; that, beyond 
measure, I was persecuting the assembly 
of God, and laying it waste; 14 and was 
making progress in Judaism above many 
companions of the same age in my own 
nation, ^ being more exceedingly a zealot for 
my ancestral instructions.^ 

15 But, when it pleased God, who set 
me apart from my mother's womb, and 
called me through His grace, 16 to re- 



Or. class. 2 Or, traditions. 



NOTES ON CHAPTER I. 

1 Not from men, nor through man; being about to com- 
bat a great error, the apostle asserts in the most positive 
manner, that man had nothing to do with his apostleship, 
but that it came wholly from God. 

4 Who gave Himself for our sins: gave up His life, that 
He might put away sin— a doctrine quite antagonistic 
to the teachings of the Judaizing teachers. That He 
might deliver us out of the present wicked age; it was the 
purpose of Christ in giving Himself to die. to deliver all 
who would truly accept Him from their present trials by 
lifting them above them, and giving them true citizenship 
in Heaven. 



6 / marvel: that those who were once so zealous for 
Christ should so soon be turned from grace to law. 

8 Let him he accursed: let the curse of God rest upoa 
him— let him be devoted to destruction. 

10 Am I now seeking the favor of men; the apostle lets 
them know that it is no part of his purpose to please men. 
but that he was wholly intent on pleasing God. 

11 Not according to man; did not originate with man. 

12 Neither did I receive it from man; all this he says 
with the view of strengthening his influence over them, as 
an apostle of God. who received the Gospel directly irom 
Him. 



GALATIANS 



271 



veal His Son in me, that I might proclaim 
the good news of Jlim among the gentiles: 
straightway I conferred not with flesh and 
blood, 17 neither went I up to Jerusa- 
lem to those who were apostles before me, 
but I went away into Arabia, and again 
returned to Damascus. 18' Then, after 
three years, I went up to Jerusalem to be- 
come acquainted with Cephas, and contin- 
ued with him fifteen days. 19 But other 
of the apostles I saw not, except James, 



the brother of the Lord. 20 Now as to 
the things I am writing to you, behold, be- 
fore God, 1 am not lying. 

21 After that I went into the regions of 
Syria and Cilicia; 22 and I was unknown 
by face to the assemblies of JudtBa, which 
were in Christ; 23 but they were only 
hearing, '' He who was once persecutingus 
now proclaims the faith which once he 
was destroying." 24 And they were glo- 
rifying God in me. 



16 To reveal Mis Son in me: that I might proclaim H 
The revelation of Christ in the believer is the supreme 
qualification for preaching Him. This experience brings 
one into sympathy with Christ in His great mission of 
salvation, and puts the " go " in him. Conferred not with 
flesh and blood; had nothing to do with men in the way of 
getting counsel from them; but received his message and 
commission directly from God. 



17 Arabia; a country south of Damascus. Here Paul 
seems to have taken his theological course under Christ 
Himself. 

21 Syria; a country north of Palestine. Cilicia: a, 
province of Asia Minor, north-west of Syria. 

24 Thev were glorifying God in me; praised God for the 
mighty work He had wrought in me. 

N. i?.— The revelation of Christ comes to one in and 
through the infilling Spirit, (John 14:17-20; Eph. 3:16-19). 



CHAPTER n. 

1 Then, fourteen years later, I went up 
again to Jerusalem with Barnabas, taking 
with me Tittis also. 2 And I went up ac- 
cording to revelation, and laid before 
them the Gospel which I preach among 
the Gentiles; but privately to those of re- 
pute, lest by any means I should run, or 
had run, in vain. 3 But not even Titus, 
who was with me, being a Greek, was 
compelled to be circumcised; 4 and that 
was because of the false brethren secretly in- 
troduced, who, indeed, crept in to spy out 
our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, 
that they might bring us into bondage; 6 
to whom not even for an hour did we yield 
in subjection, that the truth of the Gospel 
might continue with you. 6 But from 
those reputed to be something (whatever 
they were, it matters not to me: God does 
not accept man's person): to me, in fact, 



those of repute added nothing; 7 but, on 
the contrary, seeing that I had been en- 
trusted with the Gospel of the uncircum- 
cision, as Peter was with that of the cir- 
cumcision; (8 for He Who wrought for 
Peter with regard to an apostleship of the 
circumcision, wrought for me also with 
regard to the gentiles). 9 And, perceiv- 
ing the grace which was given to me, 
James and Cephas and John, who were 
reputed to be pillars, gave to me and Bar- 
nabas right-hands of fellowship, that we 
should go to the gentiles, and they to 
the circumcision; 10 only they desired 
that we should remember the poor, 
hich very thing I was also eager to 
do. 11 But, when Cephas came to An- 
tioch, I withstood him to the face, be- 
cause he was blameworthy; 12 for, be- 
fore certain ones came from James, he 
was eating with the gentiles; but, when 
they came, he was withdrawing and sepa- 



NOTES ON CHAPTER II. 

1 Fourteen years later; later, probably, than his for- 
mer visit, (ch. 1:18), 

2 By revelation; by direct order from God. Privately to 
those of repute; He reported his teaching and work among 
the gentiles privately to those of repute, to avoid the op- 
position that might arise from the whole mass of Chris- 
tians, who might not so readily understand his worlc 

3 Not even Titus . . . was co?npelled to be circumcised; 
Titus was present at the council of the apostles and elders 
in Jerusalem, and that council did not require him to be 
circumcised, though he was a preacher. This fact was 
pointedly against the position of those Judaizing teachers. 

4 And that was because of; that is, this decision regard- 
ing Titus was rendered in condemnation of the false breth- 
ren, etc. 

5 Not even for an hour; they did not yield to the de- 
mands of the false brethren for a single hour. 



6 Those of repute; the leading men referred to in v. 2. 
Added nothing; to Paul's authority as an apostle, or to his 
teachings or practice. 

7 Gospel of the uncircumdsion; the Gospel that he was 
appointed to preach to the gentiles. 

9 Pillars; men of distinction among the apostles, and 
strong supporters of the cause of Christ. Gave to me and 
Barnabas right-hands of fellowship; acknowledging their 
soundness in the faith, and their worthiness as ministers 
of Christ. 

10 Thepoor- meaning, probably, the poor Christians in 
Judaea. 

11 I withstood; rebuked and reproved him. Blame- 
worthy; because of his cowardice and time-serving spirit. 

12 From James; from James who lived in Jerusalem. 
Eating with the gentiles; in disregard of the Jewish cus- 
tom. Of the circumcision; the Jews from Judaea. 



GALATIANS 



rating himself, fearing those of the cir- 
cumcision. 13 And the rest of the Jews 
also dissembled with him, so that even 
Barnabas was carried away by their hy- 
pocrisy. 14 But, when I saw that they 
were not walking uprightly according to 
the truth of the Gospel, I said to Cephas 
in presence of tliem all, ''If you, being a 
Jew, live as do the gentiles, and not as the 
Jews, how do you compel the gentiles to 
live as do the Jews? " 15 We who are by 
nature Jews, and not sinners from among 
the gentiles, 16 yet knowing that a man 
is not justified by works of law, but through 
faith in Jesus Christ, even we believed on 
Christ Jesus, that we might be justified by 
faith in Christ, and not by works of law 



because by works of law no flesh shall be 
justified. 17 But, if while seeking' to be 
justified in Christ, we ourselves also were 
found sinners, is^ then, Christ a minister 
of sin? It could not be! 18' For, if I am 
building up again, what I pulled down, I 
show myself to he a transgressor. 19 For 
I through law died to law, that I might 
live to God. 20 I have been crucified 
with Christ; and no longer am I living, 
but Christ is living in me; and, in so far 
as I am now living in flesh, I live in 
the faith of the Son of God, Who loved 
me, and gave Himself for me. 21 I do 
not set aside the grace of God; for, if 
righteousness is through law, then Christ 
died needlessly!^ 



Or. for nought. 



13 Dissembled; disguised their sentiments; for, though 
they had practically recognized the fact that the cere- 
monial law had been fulfilled, by the fact of their eating 
with the gentiles, they now permitted their Jewish preju- 
dices to rise up, and overpower their real convictions. 

16 By faith; a faith that unites the believer to Christ's 
Righteousness, is that which brings justification — which 
works of law can never do. But. if faith in Christ 
brings justification, why should Peter wish to get the 
gentiles under the. ceremonial law? Jewish prejudice had 
not all been canceled from Peter; though he had done so 
many mighty works for God. 

17 Is Christ a 7/iinister of sin; has Christ provided a 
Gospel that does not deal effectually with sin? Are those 
who are justified by faith in Him still sinners, so that they 
must go back to the law for cleansing? It is not the law. 
but the blood of Christ, that cleanses from sin. 

19 J'or I through thelaiu am dead to the law; the law 
has done its work in the crucifixion and death of Christ, 
the believer's Substitute; and, because of this very fact, 
the true believer becomes dead to the law by the body 



of Christ (Rom. 7:4), while the law is dead to him, not be- 
ing able to inflict a second death upon one who has truly 
died in Christ. 

20 / have been crucified with Christ; have become cruci- 
fied—am crucified— with Christ. This experience begins, 
when one admits Christ into his heart as Supreme Ruler, 
and puts the government on His shoulder. This is the 
experimental crucifixion. No longer am I living; I am 
dropping my self-life, and deny i t utterly. Christ is living 
in?ne; He has come in to live His life in me, giving me 
His for mine— which I gladly accept. In so far as I am 
noio living in Aesh; in so far as I now have life in my 
mortal body— the new life, or Christ-life. In the faith 
of the Son of God; His faith inwrought in me, and im- 
parted to me. by the Holy Spirit. }V7to gave Himself for 
me; when He died for me on the cross, (Rom. 6:6); and 
gave Himself to me. when I opened the door and let Him 
in, (Rev. 3:20). 

21 I do not set aside the grace of God; as of no value, as 
these false teachers do. If righteousness is through law; 
if there is any other way of salvation than through Christ, 
His death was needless. 



CHAPTER III. 

1 O foolish Galatians! Who bewitched 
you, before whose e.yes Jesus Christ was 
openly set forth crucified? 2 This only do 
I wish to learn of you: Did ye receive the 
Spirit by works of law, or by the hearing 
of faith? 3 Are ye so foolish? Having 
begun in the Spirit, are ye now being made 



perfect in the flesh? 4 Did ye suffer so 
many things in vain? if, indeed, it he even 
in vain. 5 Does He, therefore, Who was 
supplying to .you the Spirit, and was work- 
ing miracles among you, doing it by works 
of law, or by the hearing of faith ? 6 Even 
as Abraham believed God, and it was reck- 
oned to him for righteousness. 7 Know, 
then, that those ^oho are of faith, the 



NOTES ON CHAPTER III. 

1 Set forth crucified; Paul had preached Christ crucified 
as the only ground of salvation, without any admixture of 
legalism. 

2 Did ye reeeivethe Spirit; " the promise of the Father, " 
(Luke 24:49; Acts 1 :4). By worlis of law; by observing the 
law of Moses. Or by the hearing of faith; by hearing and 
accepting the Gospel. 

3 Having begun in the Spirit; having begun your Chris- 



tian life and work under the fostering care of the Spirit, 
In the flesh; in carnal or legal observances. 

4 Suffered so many things; on account of their profes- 
sion of faith in Christ. In vain; to no profit; as it would 
be, if they went back under the law. 

.5 He, therefore. Who was supplying to you the Spirit; 
God the Father. By the tvorJcs of law, nr by the hearing of 
faith; the answer is. "By the hearing of faith. " 

7 Sons of Abraham; like Abraham in faith, and in a 
sense, his spiritual offspring. 



GALATIANS 



273 



are sons of Abraham. 8 And the Scrip- 
ture, foreseeing that God would justify 
the gentiles through faith, proclaimed be- 
forehand the Gospel to Abraham, saying, 
"In you shall all the nations be blessed." 
9 So that those who are of faith are blessed 
with the faithful Abraham. 

10 For as many as are of works of law 
are under a curse; for it has been written, 
' ' Cursed is every one who continues not in 
all the things written in the book of the law, 
to do them." 11 Nowthat by lawnooneis 
justified with God, is evident; because 
" The righteous one shall live by faith." 
12 Now the law is not of faith; but "He 
who did them shallli vein them." 13 Christ 
redeemed us front the curse of the law, 
having become a curse for us; because 
it has been written, "Cursed is every 
one who is hung upon a tree "; 14 that to 
the gentiles the blessing of Abraham might 
come in Jesus Christ, that we might re- 
ceive the pronaise of the Spirit through 
faith. 

15 Brethren, I am speaking after the 
manner of man: even a man's confirmed 
covenant no one sets aside, or adds thereto. 
16 Now to Abraham were the promises 
spoken, and to his Seed. He saith not, 



8 The, ScHpture foreseeing; the Holy Spirit, the Author 
of Scripture, foreseeing and foretelling, that God would 
Justify gentiles, as He did Abraham. Proclaimed before- 
hand the Gospel to Abraham; and this Gospel was summed 
Tip in the words, "In you shall all the nations be blessed," 
(Gen. 12:3; 18:18; 22:18). 

9 Blessed with the fa/ithful Abraham,; blessed on the 
principle — viz., that of faith. 

10 Of the worlts of the law; seek justification by works. 
Under a curse; because no one ever perfectly kept the law, 
but the Man, Christ Jesus. 

1 1 The righte ons one shall live by faith; under all dispen- 
sations since the fall of Adam, men have been justified by 
faith, never by works, (Hab. 2:4). 

13 The law is not of faith; the law promises justifloa- 
tion, not by faith, but by works ; but, unfortunately, man's 
works have been too defective to save him. 

13 Redeemed us from the curse of the law; this He did by 
taking our sins upon Himself, and bearing the penalty due 
to us in His own Person; thus being made a curse for us, 
(see II Cor. 5:21). Cursed is every one hung upon a tree; 
Deut. 21:23. 

14 The blessing of AJOrahami; that which God pronjised 
to him and to all believers, justification through faith; but 
this blessing never could have reached any one of Adam's 
fallen race, unless Christ had redeemed all from the curse 
of the law, by his own vicarious death on the cross, 

15 After the manner of man; as any sensible man would 
-view it, and act in regard to a covenant that has been rati- 
fied. 

16 Tour Seed, which is Christ; Christ is the One Seed of 



"And to seeds," as of many; but as One, 
"and to your Seed"; which is Christ. 17 
But this I say: A covenant previously con- 
firmed by God, the law, which came into 
existence four hundred and thirty years 
later, does not invalidate, that it should 
make the promise of no effect. 18 For, if 
the inheritance is of the law, it is no longer 
of promise; but God has freely given it to 
Abraham through promise. 

19 What, then is the law? It was 
added because of the transgressions, until 
the Seed should come to Whom it had been 
promised; having been arranged through 
angels in the hand of a mediator. 20 No\\^ 
a mediator is not of one, but God is one. 
21 Is the law, then, against the promises of 
God? It could not be ! For, if a law had been 
given, which was able to make alive, truly 
righteousness would have been by law; 22 
but the Scripture shuts up all under sin, 
that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ 
might be given to those who believe. 23 
But, before the faith came, we were kept 
guarded under law, being shut up to the 
faith about to be revealed. 24 So that the 
law has become our tutor io lead us to 
Christ, that we might be justified by faith. 
25 But the faith having come, we are no 



Abraham; and in Him is life and salvation; and, through 
Him, all spiritual blessings flow to believers. 

17 A covenant previously confirmed by Ood; the cove- 
nant confirmed by God to Abraham (see references at v. 8) 
long before the giving of the law to Moses. The law could 
not annul such a covenant, or render its promises void. 

18 The inheritance; the spiritual blessings promised to 
Abraham. 

19 What, then, is the law; what purpose does it serve? 
Why was it given? It was added because of the transgres- 
sions; the Jews were so sinful, that God, wishing to re- 
strain them, and bring them to recognize their guilt and 
need of an atonement, gave the ten commandments; and 
the ceremonial and sacrificial law had an educational ten- 
dency in the same direction. Mediaior; Moses. 

20 A mediator is not of one; one party. God is one; 
One Party to the covenant ; and man is the other. 

21 Is the law against the promises; was it designed to 
set aside the promises, or introduce another way of life? 
Certainly not; but the law was designed to help in leading' 
men to accept the promised salvation in Christ. 

23 The Scripture shut up all under sin; showing all to 
be sinners and under the curse. Hence, there is no way of 
escape except through faith in Christ. 

23 Before the faith came; the object of faith— Christ; 
or before the way of life was revealed in Him. 

34 The law has become our tutor; or child-guide to 
Christ. The word pedagogue signifies child-guide, or 
child-conductor; and it serves the important purpose of 
guiding the awakened sinner to Christ, the great Sin- 
offering. 



274 



GALATIANS 



longer under a tutor; 26 for ye are all 
sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus; 
27 for as many of you as were immersed 
into Christ, did put on Christ. 28 There 
exists neither Jew nor Greek, there exists 



neither bond nor free, there exists neither 
male nor female; for ye are all one in 
Christ Jesus. 29 And, if ye are Christ's, 
ye are, consequently, Abraham's seed, and 
heirs according to promise. 



25 No longer under a tutor ; having accepted Christ, and 
become sons of God by faith in His Son, we have all spir- 
itual supplies stored up in Him; and, hence, there is no 
need of going back to ritual observances under the law. 

27 Immersed into Christ; the burial of the believer in 
the act of immersion, in symbol, identifies him with 
Christ in His death and resurrection. Put on Christ; 
put on His righteousness and life; taking Him as Leader. 
Savior, Sanctifler. and King; puts his life at the disposal 
of Christ. 



28 0)16 in Christ; all national and social distinctions, as 
also that of sex, are obliterated, as marks of superiority, 
when people accept Christ, and take their places in Him. 
He becomes their standing before the law. and is. in fact, 
their Life. 

29 If ye are Christ's; belong to Him, and are united to 
Him by a living faith. Abraham's seed; all true believers, 
by virtue of the fact that they believe in Christ, are Abra- 
ham's seed, and heirs of the promise. 



CHAPTER IV. 

1 But I say that, so long as the heir is 
a child, he differs in nothing from a slave, 
though he is lord of all; 2 but is under 
guardians and stewards, until the time ap- 
pointed b.y the father. 3 So we also, 
when we were children, were held in bond- 
age under the elements^ of the world. 4 
But, when the fulness of the time came, 
God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, 
born under law, that He might redeem 
those under law, that we might receive 
the adoption of sons. 6 And, because ye 
are sons, God sent forth the Spirit of His 
Son into our hearts, crying, "Abba," 
Father. 7 So that you are no longer a 
slave, but a son; and, if a son, also an 
heir through God. 

8 But then, indeed, when ye knew not 
God, ye served those which by nature are 
no gods; 9 but, after having known God, 



or rather having been known by God, how 
are ye turning back again to the weak and 
beggarly elements, to which ye desire to 
be in bondage again ? 10 Ye are scrupu- 
lously observing days, and months, and 
seasons, and years! 11 I am afraid of 
you, lest by any means I have toiled for 
you in vain. 12 Brethren, I beseech you, 
become as I am; because I also was as ye 
are. Ye wronged me in nothing; 13 but 
ye know that through weakness of the 
flesh I proclaimed the Gospel to you for- 
merly; 14 and my trial in my flesh ye 
despised not, nor spurned; but ye received 
me as an angel of God, as Christ • Jesus. 
15 Where, then, is your benediction^ for 
me? For I bear you witness that, if pos- 
sible, plucking out your eyes, ye would 
have given them to me! 16 So, then, 
have I become your enemy, because I tell 
you the truth ? 



1 Or. ruditnents. 



2 Or. blessing; or, felicitation. 



NOTES ON CHAPTER IV, 

1 Differs in nothing from a slave; Paul compares the Is- 
raelites, or covenant people, while under law to a minor 
heir under discipline and restraint, till the coming of 
Christ 

2 The time appointed; to take charge of his estate. 

3 We; the covenant people of God before the coming of 
Christ, into Whom, alter His coming,' the gentiles are 
oorporated by faith. When we were children; under the 
Old Testament dispensation, and treated as minors. Un- 
der the elements of the world; under the restraints of the 
Mosaiclaw. If "we" refers to the gentiles to whom he 
was now writing, "the elements of the world" would 
probably refer to the corrupting influences that held them 
in sin and bondage. 

5 Receive the adoption of sons; pass out of the condi 
tion of servitude into the liberty of sons. 

6 Sent forth the Spirit; God by His Spirit hath put a fil 
lal spirit in you. Abba; a Chaldee word meaning father. 

8 Ye; gentile believers. No gods; idols. 

9 Bave known God; have been led to a knowledge of 
Gk)d through faith in Christ. Known by Bim; known 
objects of His saving grace. 



10 Te observe days, and months_, and seasons, and years; 
such as the ceremonial law required, proving that they 
had gone under the law. 

11 I am afraid of you; he feared for them, that they 
were depending on the works of the law for salvation, 
rather than upon Christ alone; in which event, his past 
labor bestowed upon them would be lost. 

12 Become as I am; free in Christ, and no longer in 
bondage to the law. 7 was as ye are; I was once enslaved to 
the law as you now are. This seems to be the meaning, 
though it is something of a strain on the Greek, to supply 
"was " in the expression, "I was." Yet, if, in the trans- 
lation, we supply "am." the face value of the words seem 
to teach a manifest absurdity. Te wronged me in nothing; 
I have no personal grievance to complain of: it is your de- 
parture from the Gospel that calls forth my rebuke, 

13 Infirmity of the flesh; Paul had a bodily infirmity 
when he was in Galatia, that might have caused offense to 
the Galatians, (I Cor. 2:3; II Cor. 11:10; 12:7). 

14 Received me. . . as Christ Jesus; with great affection, 
regard, and confidence. 

15 Plucking out your eyes; they were ready to endure 
any sacrifice to promote his comfort and welfare. 



GALATIANS 



275 



17 They are zealously seeking you, not 
nobly; they are wishing to shut you out, 
that ye may zealously seek them. 18 But 
it is good to be zealously sought in a good 
thing at all times, and not only when I am 
present with you. 19 My little children, 
for whom I am in travail again, until 
Christ be formed in you! 20 And I was 
wishing to be present with you now, and 
to change my voice; because I am per- 
plexed about you. 

21 Tell me, ye who are wishing to be 
under law, do ye not hear the law? 22 
For it has been written that Abraham had 
two sons, one by the bond-woman, and 
one by the free-woman. 23 But the one 
by the bond-woman has been born after 
the flesh; and the one by the free-woman, 
through promise. 24 Which things are 
an allegory;* for these women are two 
covenants; one, indeed, from mount Sinai, 



Or, spoken in allegory. 



bringing forth into servitude, which is 
Hagar (for the word Hagar is mount Sinai 
in Arabia), and corresponds to the present 
Jerusalem; for she is in bondage with her 
children. 26 But the Jerusalem which is 
above is free, which, indeed, is our 
mother; 27 for it has been written, "Re- 
joice, O barren, that bear not! Break 
forth and cry, you that travail not! be- 
cause many are the children of the deso- 
late, rather than of her who has the hus- 
band." 

J8 But ye, brethren, after the manner 
of Isaac, are children of promise. 29 
But, just as then, the one born after the 
flesh kept persecuting him I}or7i after the 
Spirit, so also is it now. 30 But what 
says the Scripture? "Cast out the bond- 
woman and her son; for the son of the 
bond-woman shall in nowise inherit with 
the son of the free-woman." 31 Where- 
fore, brethren, we are not children of a 
bond-woman, but of the free-woman. 



17 They; the false teachers professed to have great in- 
terest in the Galatians, but their purpose was to get them 
away from Paul's teachings, and draw them under the 
law. This, the apostle saw, would imperil their salvation. 
Hence, his plainness and fidelity in dealing with them. 

19 U^niil Christ be fonned in you; till the Christ-life, or 
" new man." be formed in you. This new life is imparted 
to true believers, making them children of God, (ch. 3:26). 
This life- principle maybe paralyzed by error; and, as in 
the case of the backslider, appear to be dormant; while 
the self-life, under Satan, has control. Paul travailed for 
the Galatians in their new birth, when they accepted 
Christ at first. He is in pain for them again, till they 
shall be relieved from the pernicious influence of error, 
and have Christ dominant in them again. 

20 To change my voice; from one of doubt and perplexity, 
to one of assurance and joy at their deliverance from error. 

22 Written: Gen. 16:15; 21 :2, 3. 

23 Born after the nesh; according to the laws of nat- 
ural generation. Through promise; by the supernatural 
power of God. 

24 WhlcJh things; the things relating to Ishmael and 
Isaac. Allegory; a description of one thing under the im- 
age of another. These women; Hagar and Sarah. Are the 
two covenants; fitly represent the two covenants; viz., the 
covenant which God made through Moses on mount Sinai. 



and the one which He made and confirmed with Abraham 
garding the promised Seed. Bringing forth into servi- 
tude; Hagar was in bondage, and her offspring are in bond- 
age with her. The children of the Mosaic covenant, repre- 
sented by Hagar, are in bondage under the law. 

26 The Jerusalem above: the true spiritual Jerusalem 
hose center is in Heaven, and whose Head is Christ. 

True Christians are fitly represented by Sarah and her free 
offspring. Our mother; all who are in Christ by faith 
have this Jerusalem&a their mother. 

27 Written; Isa. 54:1 ; a prophecy referring to the Chris- 
tian dispensation, when the gentiles would accept the Gos- 
pel. barren . . . desolate; the gentiles were barren and 
desolate, till Christ came. The Jews had God as their 
husband. 

28 We; true believers in Christ. 

29 So also is it now; as Ishmael was hostile to Isaac, so 
the Jews were opposed to Christians; and so, too, sinners 
and carnal Christians are opposed to Spirit-filled Chris- 
tians to the present time. 

30 The Scripture; Gen. 21:10-12. As the bond-woman 
and her son were cast out, so all ritualistic or ceremonial 
observances should be excluded from Christianity; and 
all who seek justification and salvation through works of 
law will utterly fail. 



CHAPTEE Y. 

1 For freedom did Christ make us free; 
stand fast, therefore, and be not entangled 
again in a yoke of bondage. 

2 Behold, I, Paul, say to you, that, if 



,ve be circumcised, Christ will profit you 
nothing. 3 And I testify again to every 
man who is circumcised, that he is a debtor 
to do the whole law. 4 Ye were separated 
from Christ, whoever of you are being 
justified by law; ye fell out of grace; 5 



NOTES ON CHAPTER V. 

1 Yoke ofbondage; the Jewish ceremonies. 

2 If ye he circumcised; professing dependence upon the 
law of Moses for salvation. The law was never given to 
save people, (ch. 3:21). 



3 A debtor to do the whole law; receiving circumcision 
is placing one's self under the law, where the curse will 
surely overtake him, (ch. 3:10). 

4 Tewere separated from Christ: have no part in His 
redemption; the fact of going back under law puts one out 
of grace. 



276 



GALATIANS 



for we, in the Spirit, wait, by faith, for 
the hope of righteousness. 6 For in Christ 
Jesus neither circumcision avails anything, 
nor uncircumcision, but faith working 
through love. 

7 Ye were running well; who hindered 
you, that ye should not obey the truth? 
8 The persuasion is not from Him Who 
calleth you. 9 A little leaven leavens the 
whole lump. 10 I have confidence toward 
you in the Lord, that ye will regard noth- 
ing else; but he who is troubling you shall 
bear his sentence, whosoever he may be. 
11 But I, brethren, if I still preach cir- 
cumcision, why am I still persecuted? 
then the stumbling-block of the cross has 
been done away! 12 O that those who are 
unsettling you would even cut themselves 
off! 

13 For we were called to freedom, breth- 
ren; only vse not your freedom for an oc- 
casion to the flesh, but through love serve 
one another; 14 for the whole law has 
been summed up in one word, in this: 
"You shall love your neighbor as your- 
self." 15 But, if ye bite and devour one 
another, beware, lest ye be consumed by 



one another. 16 But I say, walk by the 
Spirit, and ye will not fulfill the desire of 
the flesh. 17 For the flesh covets against 
the spirit, and the spirit against the flesh; 
for these are contrary one to the other, 
that ye may not do the things which ye wish. 
18 But, if ye are being led by the Spirit, 
ye are not under law. 

19 Now the works of the flesh are mani- 
fest, which are, fornication, uncleanness, 
lasciviousness, 20 idolatry, sorcery, en- 
mities, strifes, jealousies, wraths, factions, 
divisions, parties, 21 envyings, murders, 
drunkenness, revellings, and things like 
these; of which I forewarn you, as I also 
said before, that those practicing such 
things shall not inherit the Kingdom of 
God. 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is 
love, joy, peace, long-suffering, kindness, 
goodness, faith, meekness, continence; 
against such there is no law. 24 And 
those who are of Christ Jesus crucified the 
flesh with the passions and desires. 25 
If we live by the Spirit, by the Spirit let 
us also walk. 26 Let us not. become vain- 
glorious, provoking one another, envying 
one another. 



5 We: true believers. In tlie Spirit; or by the Spirit. 
Righteousness; the righteousness which God bestows upon 
those who believe in His Son. (Rom. 1 : 17). 

6 Neither circumcision nor uncircumcUinn avails any- 
thing; have not the least conceivable value in obtaining 
salvation in Christ. But faith working through love; 
faith that has its foundation in love and obedience. 

8 The persuasion; that it was needful to be circumcised, 
and observe Jewish rites in order to be saved. 

9 A little leaven leavens the whole lump ; a little error in- 
troduced by a few teachers will vitiate the whole body of 
Christians, unless it is abandoned. 

10 Ye will regard nothing else; Paul cherished a strong 
hope that the Galatian brethren, after reflection, would 
agree with him in this matter. His sentence; sentence of 
condemnation, and the punishment it prescribes. 

11 Then, the stumUing-block of the cross has been done 
away; that is, if the apostle preached circumcision— the 
thing that the false teachers were teaching, there would 
be no reason why they should persecute him. 

13 Called to freedom-; freedom from the bondage of the 
law. For an occasion to the flesh; as a pretext for gratify- 
ing its sinful desires. 

14 All the law ; relating to our f ellowmen. 

16 Walk hy the Sinrit; under His guidance and influence. 
Te will not fulfill the desire of the flesh; if the Holy Spirit 
is permitted to fill and guide one. He will lay a paralysis on 
all the desires of the flesh, so that they will be controlled. 



17 Contrary one to the other; the new spirit (John 3:6; 
Ezek. 36:26) strongly opposes the flesh, and the flesh stru g- 
gles against the spirit. Hence there is a warfare in the be- 
liever, till Christ is enthroned in the heart— then the cru- 
cifixion of the flesh is inaugurated. 

18 Not under thelaw; those who are led by the Spirit are 
in Christ, and are freed from the law— that is, the Mosaic 
law. The moral law such a Christian keeps in the power 
of the new life in him, (Rom. 8:4). 

19-21 Works^ of the flesh; these are specimens of the 
workings of corrupt human nature, uncontrolled by the 
Spirit. 

22, 23 Fruit of the Spirit; these are specimens of the re- 
sults wrought by the Holy Spirit in those who are wholly 
yielded to His control. Love is the principal element in 
the fruitage of the Spirit, (I Cor. 13:1-8). 

24 Who are of Christ; those who have His life largely 
developed in them, as seen in vs. 22, 23. Crucified the flesh; 
at some past time prior to the development of this fruit- 
age of the Spirit, (see Rom. 6:6). The aorist tense here 
denotes instantaneous action. There must be no parleying 
with sinful lusts; but, whenever anything sinful, or that 
leads in that direction, appears, it should be instantly con- 
signed to death at the hands of Christ enthroned within. 

25 If we live by the Spirit, by the Spirit let us also walk; 
if our inner life is under the control of the Spirit, let our 
outward life also be directed by Him. 



CHAPTER VI. 
1 Brethren, even if a man be caught in 
any trespass, ye who are spiritual restore 



such a one in a spirit of meekness; consid- 
ering yourself, lest you also be tempted. 
2 Bear ye one another's burdens, and so 



NOTES ON CHAPTER VI. 
1 Spiritual; advanced in Christian knowledge, experi- 
ence, and wisdom. 



2 Sear ye one another's burdens; weaknesses, sorrows, 
trials, etc. And so fulfill the lata of Christ; which requires 
Christians to )ove one another, (John 15:12; 13:34). 



GALATIANS 



277 



fulfill the law of Christ. S For, if any 
one thinks himself to be something, when 
he is nothing, he deceives himself. 4 But 
let each one prove his own work, and then 
will he have ground of glorying in respect 
to himself alone, and not to another.' 
5 For each one shall bear his own load. 6 
But let him who is being taught in the 
word share with him who is teaching, in 
all good things. 7 Be not deceived; God 
is not mocked; for whatsoever a man 
sows, the same shall he also reap; 8 be- 
cause he that sows to his flesh shall of the 
flesh reap corruption; but he that sows to 
the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life eter- 
nal. 9 And, in doing what is noble, let 
us not grow weary; for in due season we 
shall reap, if we faint not. 10 So, then, 
as we have opportunity, let us do good to 
all men, but especially to those of the 
household of the faith. 

11 See with what large letters I wrote 
to you with my own hand. 



12 As many as wish to make a fair sho\V^ 
in the flesh, these constrain you to be cir- 
cumcised, only that they may not sufi'er 
persecution for the cross of Christ. 13 
For neither do those themselves who are 
circumcised keep the law; but they wish 
you to be circumcised, that they may 
glory in your flesh. 14 But it could not 
be that I should glory, except in the cross of 
our Lord Jesus Christ, through which ^ the 
world has become crucified to me, and I to 
t/ie world. 15 For neither is circumcision 
anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new 
creation.^ 16 And as many as shall walk 
by this rule, peace be upon them, and 
mercy, and upon the Israel of God. 

17 Henceforth let no one occasion 
trouble to me; for 1 am bearing in my 
body the brand-marks of Jesus. 

18 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ 
he with your spirit, brethren. Amen. 



1 Gr. The other. 



2 Or, whom. 3 Or. creature 



3 Thinks himself to be sojnethina: has an exalted opinion 
of his knowledge or attainments as a Christian. Spiritual 
pride is a very subtle foe, and should be carefully guarded 
against. 

4 Prove his own tsork; by comparing it with the wofd of 
God. Then; if it answers to the demands of the word, he 
will have cause of gratitude. In himself alone; in the as- 
surance that his life and worltarein harmony with God 
and this will humble. Instead of exalt him. And not to an 
other: and not in his fancied superiority to any other. 

5 Bear his own load; his own responsibility, or his owr 
sin. We may share our brother's burden of sorrow (v. 2) 
but we may not share his responsibilities. 

6 Those who are taught spiritual things should contrib- 
ute to the support of those who teach them. 

7 God is not mocked; does not allow people to trifle with 
Him or His requirements. 

8 Soirs to his flesh; indulges his passions and appetites 
(ch. 5:19-21). Of the flesh; as a consequence of sowing to 
it. Eeap corruption; the ruin of body and soul in hell, as 
the final outcome. Sows to the Spirit: by yielding his life 
to His guidance and control, and letting the Spirit de- 
velop His fruit in him. (ch. 5:22, 23). 

9 In due season; the time for bestowing rewards. (Rev, 
22:12). 



12 A fair show in flesh; in outward forms and ceremon- 
s. and thus to be esteemed by carnal people. That they 

may not suffer persecution; from the Jews, if they neglect 
circumcision. 

13 Glory in' your flesh; in the fact that they had led you 
under the law, and to join their party. 

14 Except in the cross: we may well glory in the cross of 
Christ, whether it be the cross on which He died, or the 
one He gives us, and on which He wishes us to die. By 
which; by which cross, as that which makes the world 
dead to us, and we to the world. Of course, the cross apart 
from Christ Himself could work no death in us. It is 
Christ Who superintends the death of those who yield 
themselves wholly to Him, (II Cor. 4:10, 11). 

\'a A new creation; that which is wrought in the peni- 
tent believer by the Holy Spirit, (John 1 :13; 3:3, 5; II Cor. 
6:J7). 

16 This •rule: the truth he had taught in this epistle. 
Tlie Israel of God; all true believers. 

IV Let no one occasion trouble to me; such as these false 
teachers had done. Brand-marks of the Lord Jesus: scars 
of the wounds he had received in his body because of his 
attachment to Jesus, and for his zeal in propagating His 
Gospel, What splendid ornaments are such scars! 



THE 



EPISTLE TO THE EPHESIA:iSrS. 



It appears that Paul was a prisoner, when he wrote this epistle, (oh. 3:1 ; 4;l) ; either at Rome, or at Caesarea, 
protehly the former. Paul's first visit to Ephesus is recorded in Acts 18:19-21. His stay was brief ; and he left Apol- 
los in charge, (vs. 24-26). After visiting Jerusalem and Asia Minor, he returned to Ephesus (Acts 19:1). where he re- 
mained three years. (Acts 20:31). On his last visit to Jerusalem, he sailed by Ephesus, (Acts 20:17). It was written 
probably about A. D. 62, or 63. The object of the epistle is general; the apostle having no error to refute as in his 
letter to the Galatians and the epistles to the Corinthians. This is one of the profoundest and richest of all his epis- 
tles. 

CONTENTS. 

I. Salutation, (1:1,2). II. Doctrinal; the assembly of Christ; (1) Its foundation in the divine purpose and 
election, (1:3-14); (2) Their participation in the Divine scheme, (1:15-23); (3) Contrast between their present and past 
state, (11:1-13); (4) Gentile and Jew united in Christ and forming one body, (11:15-22)— a mystery newly revealed, 
(111:1-12); (5) Doctrinal prayer and doxology, (111:14-21). III. Practical and Hortatory ; (1) Unity of the assembly 
(IV:l-6), in diversity of gifts (IV:7-12), matured with Christ for the Head. (IV:13-16); (2) The old and new man, 
(IV:17— V:l-21); (3) Relation of husband and wife, a type of Christ and the assembly. (■V:22-33); other domestic rela- 
tions and duties, (VI:l-9) ; (4) The Christian panoply, (VI:10-20). IV. Personal matter; (1) Commission of Tych- 
icus, (vs. 21, 22) ; (2) Farewell, (VI:23. 24). 

N. B.— There is mach in common between this epistle and that to the CoUossians ; owing probably to the fact 
that they were both written about the same time. 



EPHESIAIN^S. 

CHAPTEE I. 

1 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus 
through the will of God, to the saints who 
are in Ephesus, and the faithful in Christ 
Jesus: 2 Grace to you, and peace from 
God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 
3 Blessed be the God and Father of our 
Lord Jesus Christ, Who blessed us with 
every spiritual blessing in the heavenly 
places^ in Christ; 4 according as He chose 
us in Him before ^A<3 founding of a world, 
that we should be holy and without blemish 
before Him in love; 6 having predestina- 
ted ^ us to the adoption of sons through Jesus 
Christ to Himself, according to the good 
pleasure of His will, 6 to the praise of 
the glory of His grace, which He graciously 
bestowed on us in the Beloved; 7 in Whom 
we have our redemption through His blood, 



the forgiveness of our trespasses, accord- 
ing to the riches of His grace, 8 which 
He made to superabound toward us in all 
wisdom and understanding; 9 making 
known to us the mystery of His will, ac- 
cording to His good pleasure which He 
purposed in Him, 10 for a dispensation 
of the fulness of the seasons, to sum 
up all things in Christ, the things in * the 
heavens and the things on the earth; in 
Him, 11 in Whom we also were made a 
heritage, having been predestinated accord- 
ing to the purpose of Him Who worketh 
all things after the counsel of His own 
will; 12* that we might be to the praise of 
His glory, we who had before hoped in 
Christ; 13 in Whom ye also — after having 
heard the word of the truth, the Gospel of 
your salvation, in Whom having also be- 
lieved — were sealed with the Holy Spirit 



1 Or, in the lieavenlies. 2 Or, marked out beforehand. 

NOTES ON CHAPTER I. 
1 And the faithful; these are the believing and obedient 
ones. 

3 Jra the Heavenly places; the places does not occur in 
the Greek; and if we translate it Heaven, meaning the 
place where the whole redemptive scheme originated, we 
•will not miss it far. 

4 That we should he holy; not holy in ourselves, but holy 
in Christ; and made holy as we become partakers of the 
Divine Nature, (II Peter 1:4). 

5 Saving predestinated us; Having marked us out as 
objects of His mercy. To Himself; this phrase, should be 
connected with "adoption of sons. " 

6 Accepted in the Beloved; in Christ. All believers have 
their standing before the law in Christ. 

7 Through His hlnod; which made atonement for sin. 

8 In all wisdom and understanding; in bestowing all 



3 Gr. On. 

wisdom and understanding upon us through the Holy 
Spirit, as the life of Jesus is reproduced in us. 

9 Tl}e mystery; explained in v. 10. 

10 For a dispensation of the fullness of the seasons; the 
Christian dispensation introduced when the full time had 
come. To sum up all things in Christ; to gather together 
or unite in one Kingdom all beings and worlds in Christ, 
by putting them under His dominion. 

11 Were made a heritage; true believers are God's in- 
heritance or heritage in Christ. What infinite lOve the 
Father had for us, since it led Him to give His only Son 
to die for us and redeem usi Eaving been predestinated, ac- 
cording to the purpose; these words indicate a divine pur- 
pose based upon God's foreknowledge or omniscience, 

1.3 We; referring to the Jews, to whom the Gospel waa 
first preached, and from whom the first fruits were gathr 
ered. 

13 Te also; Gentiles. Were sealed; branded or marked 
for Christ, by receiving the gift of the Holy Spirit. 



EPHESIANS 



279 



of promise, 14 which is an earnest of our 
inheritance until* the redemption of the 
purchased possession, to the praise of His 
glory. 

15 On this account I also, having heard 
of the faith, on your part, in the Lord 
Jesus, and the love which ye show towards 
all the saints, 16 cease not to give thanks 
on your behalf, making mention of you in 
my prayers; 17 that the God of our Lord 
Jesus Christ, the Father of Glory, would 
give you a spirit of wisdom and of revela- 
tion in the full knowledge of Him; 18 the 
eyes of your heart having been enlightened, 
that ye may know what is the hope of His 



calling, what the riches of the glory of His 
inheritance in the saints, 19 and what the 
surpassing greatness of His power toward 
us who believe, according to the working 
of the strength of His might, 20 which 
He wrought in Christ, when He raised 
Him from the dead, and seated Him at 
His right hand in the Heavenly places, 21 
far above all rule, and authority, and 
power, and dominion, and every name 
that is named, not only in this age, but 
also in that to come; 22 and He put all 
things in subjection under His feet, and 
gave Him as Head over all things to the 
assemblj^ 23 which, indeed, is His body, 
the fulness of Him Who is filling all in all. 



14 Earnest; a first fruit. Full fruition 



18 The hope of Bis callino; the hope to which He hath 
called the believer. Biches of the glory of Jlis inheritance 
in the saints; God has a rich inheritance in His people; 
these words imply also the richness of the inheritance 
God has given to His people, 

19 The surpassing greatness of His power; in saving, 
preserving, transforming us in the likeness of His Son. 
This power extends over the whole work of redemption, 
and embraces the whole time from regeneration to glorifi- 
cation. 

20 Raising Him from the dead; the same power that 



raised Jesus Christ from the dead is at work in every true 
believer, to make him fit for union in the body of Christ. 

21 All rule, and authority, and power, and dominion; these 
words include every order of intelligences in Heaven and 
on earth. Jesus is above them all. 

22 Sead over all things; all things in the universe. To 
the assembly; to the elect, or ransomed, including all the 
saved. Here the word assembly is used in its widest sense. 
Christ, as Head over all things, makes all things subserv- 
ient to the good of His people.' 

23 ^is6o*y; the whole assembly is His people. The ful- 
ness; His body is called His fulness, because He fills all 
with Himself. 



CHAPTEE 11. 

1 You also did He make alive, when ye 
were dead in your trespasses and sins, 2 
in which ye once walked according to the 
course^ of this world, according to the 
prince of the authority of the air, the 
spirit that is now working in the sons of 
disobedience; 3 among whom we also all 
once lived in the desires of our flesh, doing 
the will of the flesh and of the mind, 
and were by nature children of wrath, even 
as the rest; 4 but God, being rich in 
mercy, on account of His great love where- 
with He loved us, 5 even when we were 
dead in our offenses, made us alive with 
Christ (by grace ye have been saved), 6 



Age. 



and raised us up with Him, and made us sit 
with Him in the heavenly places in Christ 
Jesus; 7 that in the ages to come He 
might show the surpassing riches of His 
grace in His kindness toward us in Christ 
Jesus. 8 For by grace ye have been saved 
through faith; and this, not of yourselves, 
it is the gift of God; 9 not of works, lest 
any one should boast; 10 for we are His 
workmanship, having been created in Christ 
Jesus for good works, which God before 
prepared, that we should walk in them. 

11 Wherefore, remember that ye, the 
gentiles in flesh, who are called uncircum- 
cision by that which is called circumcision 
in flesh made by hand, 12 that at that 
time ye were apart from Christ, alienated 
from the commonwealth of Israel, and 



NOTES ON CHAPTER II. 

1 Did He make alive; this verb in the Greek does not 
appear till we reach v. 5, but it helps the English reader to 
supply it in V. 1. One is made alive, when he is regener- 
ated, or receives the Christ-life in the new birth, 

2 Prineeof the authority of the air ; referring to Satan 
who has headquarters in the air. He will be cast down 
after the Rapture, (Rev. 12:9). 

3 We all; Jews and gentiles. 

5 Quiekened together with Christ; As Christ died for us. 
so He was raised from the dead in our behalf, and His res- 
urrection life is the life of His people. 



6 Sit with Him; Christ is seated at the right hand of the 
Father in our behalf, and we are seated with Him, judi- 
cially ; having our standing in Him. 

8 And this; salvation by grace is brought about through 
faith. Grift of God; salvation with all its accompaniments 
and blessed consequences is the gift of God. 

10 His workmanship; God is the Author of our spiritual 
life, and the Builder of our spiritual character. 

11-13 Remember; the apostle reminds the brethren at 
Ephesus of their former wretched and hopeless state, and 
would have them consider the unspeakable blessedness 
that had come to them through Christ. 



280 



EPHESIANS 



strangers to the covenants of promise, 
having no hope, and without God in the 
world. 13 But now, in Christ Jesus, ye 
who were once afar off were made nigh 
in the blood of Christ. 14 For He is our 
peace. Who made both one, and broke 
down the middle wall of the partition, 15 
having abolished in His flesh the enmity, 
even the law of commandments expressed 
in decrees, that He might make the two 
one new man in Himself, making peace, 
16 and might reconcile both in one body 
to God through the cross, having slain the 
enmity thereby; 17 and, coming. He pro- 



claimed the Gospel of peace to you who 
were afar off, and peace to those wlio were 
near; 18 because through Him we both 
have access in one Spirit to the Father. 
19 Accordingly, therefore, ye are no longer 
strangers and sojourners; hvXyeare fellow- 
citizens of the saints and of the house- 
hold of God; 20 having been built upon 
the foundation of the apostles and prophets, 
Christ Jesus Himself being the chief cor- 
ner-stone; 21 in Whom all the building, 
fitly framed together, is growing up into a 
holy temple in the Lord; 22 in Whom ye 
also are being built together for a habita- 
tion of God in the Spirit. 



14 He is our peace; the Author and ground of our peace, 
in the widest sense: 1. between man and his Maker; and, 
2, as a consequence of this, between Jew and gentile. 

15 Having abolished in Sis flesh; by His death He abol- 
ished the ceremonial law, which was the occasion of en- 
mity and separation between Jews and gentiles. That He 
might make the two: Jew and gentile. One new man in 
Himself; not that He made one man out of two; but, by 
putting His life in each. He makes each a new man in 
Himself ; so that now neitjier of them is either Jew or 
gentile, but simply a new man in Christ. 

16 Reconcile 'both; both Jew and gentile. In onebody; 
in one spiritual body— i. e,, in the assembly of Christ. By 
the cross: by His death on the cross, in which He put away 



sin, (Heb. 9:26). Having slain the enmity ; by fulfilling the 
ceremonial law, and putting it away. Thereby: by dying 
on the cross. 
17 ^/ar oif; meaning the gentiles. iV^«or,- the Jews. 

20 Having been built; into a spiritual temple. The 
foundation of the apostles and prophets; that is. upon their 
teachings as a foundation; the corner-stone of the build- 
ing being Christ. 

21 In Whom; in Christ. All the building; every believer 
who Is placed in this Great Temple, as a living stone, (I 
Peter 2: 5), 

23 Habitation of God in the Spirit; each individual 
Christian ought to be infilled by the Holy Spirit, (Eph- 
5:18); indwelt by Christ, (John 14:20, 21; 15:4,5); and also 
indwelt by the Father, (John 14:23; I John 1:3). 



CHAPTER HI. 

1 For this cause I, Paul, the prisoner of 
Christ Jesus in behalf of you gentiles, 2 
if, at least, ye heard of the dispensation^ 
of the grace of God which was given to 
me for you, 3 that by revelation was 
made known to me the mystery, as I wrote 
before in brief; 4 respecting which ye 
can, hy reading, perceive my understand- 
ing in the mystery of Christ, 5 which in 
other generations was not made known to 
the sons of men, as it was now revealed to 
His holy apostles and prophets in the 
Spirit; 6 that the gentiles are fellow- 
heirs, and of the same body, and partners 



Or, atewardship. 



NOTES ON CHAPTER III. 

1 For this cause; in view of all that has been said in re- 
gard to their admission to the household of faith through 
Christ. TTie prisoner of Jesus Christ : one who was i mpris- 
oned because of His fidelity to Christ. You gentiles; Paul's 
ministry was especially to the gentiles. 

All from V. 2 to v. 13, inclusive, is a parenthesis that 
serves to expand the idea in the words, "In behalf of you 
gentiles"; while, what follows from v. 14 to 19, inclusive, 
is a completion of the sentence begun in v. 1. 

3 Mystery; namely, that gentile believers were to be 



with US of the promise in Christ Jesus 
through the Gospel; 7 of which I was 
made a minister, according to the gift of 
the grace of God which was given to me 
according to the working of His power. 8 
To me, who am less than the least of all 
saints, was this grace given, to proclaim, 
to the gentiles, the glad tidings of the un- 
searchable riches of Christ; 9 and to 
plainly show what is the dispensation of 
the inystery which from the ages has been 
hidden away in God, Who made all things; 
10 in order that now might be made known 
to the principalities and authorities in the 
heavenly places, through the assembly, 
the manifold wisdom of God, 11 accord- 
ing to a purpose of the ages which He 

made equal in every way with the believing Jews, (see 
V. 6). 

9 Dispensation of the mystery; perhaps the word ad- 
ministration is better suited to express the idea here than 
dispensation. The mystery is the same as that referred 
to above (v. 6), and the unfolding and carrying out of this 
mystery was a work largely, for the time, assigned to 
Paul. 

10 T7i« principalities and authorities; the different or- 
ders or ranks of heavenly beings, (I Peter 1 : 12), Through 
the assembly; by God's mighty workings in and through 
the assembly, or the saints. 



EPHESIANS 



281 



made in Christ Jesus our Lord, 12 in 
Wiiom we have boldness and access with 
confidence through the faith of Hina. 13 
Wherefore, I ask that ye faint not at my 
tribulations in your behalf, which, indeed, 
is your glory. 

14 For this cause I bow my knees to the 
Father, 16 from Whom every family in 
Heaven and on earth is named, 16 that 
He may grant you, according to the riches 
of His glory, to be strengthened with 
power through His Spirit as to the inward 
man; 17 that Christ may dwell in your 
hearts through faith; that ye, having been 



rooted and grounded in love, 18 may be 
strong to apprehend, with all the saints, 
what is the breadth, and length, and depth, 
and height, 19 and to know the knowl- 
edge-surpassing love of Christ, that ye may 
be filled unto all the fulness of God. 

20 Now to Him Who is able to do ex- 
ceeding abundantly above all that we ask 
or think, according to the power that is 
working in us, 21 to Him he the glory 
in the assembly, and in Christ Jesus, unto 
all generations of the age of the ages. 
Amen. 



13 My tribulations; the tribulations that eame to him 
on account of preaching: the Gospel to t"he gentiles. Your 
glory; brought glory to you. 

14 For this cause; here the apostle resumes the thought 
he started out with in v. 1. 

15 Every family; comprising every different order and 
rank of holy beings in Heaven and on earth. Is named; 
bears His name, as belonging to Him. All holy beings, 
therefore, belong to one great family, being brought into 
union with God in Christ, 

16 Strengthened with power through His Spirit; it is a 
blessed work of the Spirit to strengthen the believer in 
whom He is permitted to dwell, unhindered; implying a 
personal Pentecost. The inward man; "the new man," 
the Christ-life bestowed in the new birth. 

17 That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; this is 
not " the new man," or the new nature given in regenera- 
tion; but it is Christ Himself, through the mighty work- 



ng of the Spirit, dwelling and ruling in one's heart. Few 
seem to have this gracious experience. 

18 Hooted and grounded; stable as a tree in a deep, 
fruitful soil, planted by the river of waters, or solid as a 
building founded on a rock. Strong to apprehend; to take 
in the mysteries of redeeming love as seen in Christ, 

19 Unto all the fulness of God; having the Holy Trin- 
ity—Spirit, Son, and Father— filling one's whole being, 
and as an ultimate consequence, having the perfect life of 
Christ developed in the one so filled, (John 14:17-23). 

20 Exceeding abundantly above all we ask, or think; 
our finite minds cannot even imagine the wonderful power 
of God that is working in him who is filled unto all the 
fulness of God I This furnishes hope that, in the last 
years, months, and days, of a fully surrendered believer, 
God will work mightily to bring such a one up to His 
standard. This, however, should furnish no reason for 
loitering in the way, or relaxing one's energies in his on- 
ward pressure towards the goal, (Phil. 3:14). 



CHAPTER IV. 

1 I, therefore, the prisoner in the Lord, 
exhort you to walk worthily of the calling 
with which ye were called, 2 with all 
humility and meekness, with long-suffer- 
ing, bearing with one another in love; 3 
earnestly endeavoring to keep the unity 
of the Spirit in the bond of peace. 4 
There is one body, and one Spirit, even as 
also ye were called in one hope of your 
calling; 5 one Lord, one faith, one immer- 
sion, 6 one God and Father of all. Who 

NOTES ON CHAPTER IV, 
1 Therefore; in view of the glorious truths revealed in 
the Gospel. Walk worthily of the calling; in a manner an- 
swerable to its high and holy nature. 

3 Unity of the Spirit: oneness of purpose, principle, 
and life, which the Spirit works in all fully surrendered 
and obedient Christians. 

4 One body; one assembly, which is the one body, (oh, 
1:22, 23) ; comprising all the true children of God. 

5 One Lord; Jesus Christ. One faith; whether it re- 
lates to the system of truth revealed in the Gospel— which 
is the thing to be believed; or the power to believe, ac 
cept, and appropriate the Gospel; both being gifts from 
God. One immersion; whether it refers to the outward or 



over all, and through all, and in all. 
7 But to each one of us was the grace 
given according to the measure of the gift 
of Christ. 8 Wherefore, He saith, ' ' Hav- 
ing ascended on high. He led captivity 
captive, and gave gifts to men." 

9 Now the word, "He ascended," what 
does it mean, but that He also descended 
into the lower parts of the earth? 10 
He Who descended is Himself also the 
One Who ascended far above all the 
heavens, that He might fill all things. 11 

dinance which, in symbol, identifies the believer with 
Christ in His death, burial, and resurrection; or to the 
immersion in the Holy Spirit, wherein Christ becomes 
real to the heart of the believer, as He makes those wholly 
yielded to His government conformed to His death, (Phil. 
3:10). 

8 Re saith; Psa. 68:18. This teaches that the gifts re- 
ceived by the ascended Savior He bestows upon men. Zed 
captivity captive; conquered all His foes, and led a multi- 
tude of captives as He rose from the grave. 

9 Lower parts of the earth; referring, probably, to His 
burial. 

10 Far above all the heavens; to the highest state of 
heavenly dignity and glory, (Matt. 28:18), 



EPHESIANS 



And He gave some, indeed, to he apos- 
tles; and sonae, prophets; and some, evan- 
gelists; and some, pastors and teachers; 
12 with a view to the perfecting of the 
saints for the work of ministry, for the 
building up of the body of Christ; 13 
until we all attain to the unity of the 
faith, and of the full knowledge of the Son 
of God, to a full-grown man — to the meas- 
ure of the stature of the fulness of Christ; 
14 that we may no longer be babes, bil- 
low-tossed, and carried about with every 
wind of teaching, in the sleight of men, in 
the craftiness suited to the artifice of er- 
ror; 16 but, speaking the truth in love, 
may grow up in all things into Him, Who 
is the Head, Christ; 16 from Whom all 
the body, fitly framed and knit together 
through every joint of supply, according 
to the working in due measure of each 
single part, secures the growth of the 
body to the upbuilding of itself in love. 

17 This, therefore, I say, and testify in 
the Lord, that ye no longer walk as the 
gentiles also walk, in the vanity of their 
mind, 18 being darkened in their under- 
standing, alienated from the life of God 
because of the ignorance that is in them, 
because of the hardness of their hearts; 19 
who, indeed, having become without feel- 



ing, delivered themselves up to lascivious- 
ness for the working of all uncleanness 
with greediness. 

20 But ye did not so learn Christ; 21 
if, indeed, ye heard Him, and were taught 
in Him, as truth is in Jesus; 22 that ye 
put off, as to your former manner of life, 
the old man, who is corrupt according to 
the desires of deceit; 23 and that ye be 
renewed in the spirit of your mind, 24 
and put on the new man, who after God 
was created in righteousness and holiness 
of the truth. 

25 Wherefore, having put away false- 
hood, speak ye truth each one with his 
neighbor, because we are members one of 
another. 26 Be ye angry, and sin not: 
let not the sun go down upon your wrath; 
27 neither give place to the Devil. 28 
Let him who stole steal no more; but 
rather let him labor, working with his 
hands that which is good, that he may 
have to impart to him that has need. 29 
Let no corrupt speech proceed out of your 
mouth, but whatever is good for the sup- 
plying^ of the need, that it may give 
grace to those who hear. 30 And grieve 
not the Holy Spirit of God, in Whom ye 
were sealed unto the day of redemption. 

1 Gr. Upbuilding. 



U Apostles . . . prophets; see note I Cor. 12:28. 

13 To the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ: 
this is the highest ideal set forth in the Gospel, as that 
to which God would have His children aspire. We can 
scarcely imagine what this means! Can it mean less than 
this— that God wishes to repeat the character and life of 
His Son in His people? While this is an Ideal for all. it is 
approximated only by individuals, each appropriating for 
himself the wonderful provisions of grace in Christ Jesus. 

15 Groiu up into Him; so as to put on His full life by 
growth, and be made like Him. (v. 13). In all things; in 
all the elements of our character. 

16 From Whom; as the Head and Source of life. Se- 
cures the growth of the body; the assembly is here com- 
pared to a human body under the direction of the head, 
and made perfect by every member performing its proper 
ofaoe. 

18 Alienated from the life of God; separated from, and 
knowing nothing of, the life which God gives to His peo- 
ple. 

19 Without feeling; insensible to moral and religious 
impressions, 

20 Ye did not so learn Christ; a true knowledge of Christ 
implies a knowledge of His teachings and obedience to 
their requirements, thus making the true believer rise 
above all sinful corruptions that characterize the ungodly. 

22 Put off the old man; the old life, the self-life, or "the 
flesh," are expressions very nearly equal, and include all 
in the believer that is not just right— all that is a,ntag- 
onistictothe inward man, new man, or Christ-life. We 



put off any characteristic of the self-life by disowning 
it and giving it over to Christ for Him to cancel it from 
our being. 

24 Put on the new man; put on Christ, by putting on 
more and more of His holy nature— especially His love, 
kindness, humility, etc. After God; after a godly type, 
made in His image. 

25 Members one of another; members of the same, body, 
and all having a common interest. 

26 Be ye angry, and sin not; it is right to feel a tempo- 
rary anger at some great outrage ; and not to feel indig- 
nant at such conduct, would imply indifference to crime 
and wrong; but we must not nurse anger, whatever may 
be the cause; for anger, nursed, would grow into wrath; 
and to indulge wrath is to give place to the Devil. Anger, 
nursed, will turn to hatred; and hatred is of the Devil. 

28 Working with his hands; manual labor is honorable; 
and whosoever feels himself above labor is out of God's 
order. Let each one find the work God wishes him to do, 
and then do it as unto the Lord. 

29 Idle talk and foolish jestings as well as "corrupt 
speech" are unbecoming in a Christian; it one has the 
love of Christ in him. he will not be dependent upon for- 
bidden methods for entertaining others. 

30 Grieve not the Holy Spirit; by refusing or neglecting 
to yield to His teachings. Sealed; marked or branded as 
God's property. The Spirit-filled person carries the mark 
of God on him all the time. Redemption; final and com- 
plete, after the body has been raised in the liKeness of 
Christ. 



EPHESIANS 



31 Let all bitterness, and wrath, and an 
ger, and clamor, and reviling, be put 
away from you, with all wickedness; 32 



and become kind to one another, tender- 
hearted, forgiving one another, even as 
God also in Christ forgave you. 



31 Let all bitterness^ and turath . . . and reviling, be put 
away from yo^i; yield these evils, and the nature that 
gives them birth, to Christ, and He will put them away 



from you; but you must let Him dwell in your heart (oh. 
3:17). if you would realize full deliverance. Those who will 
not surrender to Christ have fearful struggles with self. 



CHAPTER V. 

1 Become ye, therefore, imitators of 
God, as beloved children; 2 and walk in 
love, as Christ also loved you, and deliv- 
ered Himself up for you, an offering and 
a sacrifice to God for an odor of sweet 
smell. 

3 But fornication, and all uncleanness, 
or covetousness, let it not even be named 
among you, as becomes saints; i nor 
filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, 
which are not becoming, but rather thanks- 
giving. 5 For this ye know, assuredly,^ 
that no fornicator, nor unclean person, 
nor covetous man (who is an idolater), .has 
any inheritance in the Kingdom of Christ 
and God. 6 Let no one deceive you with 
empty words; for, because of these things, 
comes the wrath of God upon the sons of 
disobedience. 7 Do not, therefore, be- 
come partakers with them; 8 for ye were 
once darkness, but now are ye light in the 
Lord; walk as children of light (9 for 
the fruit of the hght is in all goodness and 



righteousness and truth), 10 proving what 
is well-pleasing to the Lord; 11 and have 
no fellowship with the unfruitful works of 
darkness, but rather even reprove thein; 
12 for it is a shame even to speak of the 
things done by them in secret. 13 But 
all things, when reproved," are made man- 
ifest by the light; for all that makes man- 
ifest is light. 14 Wherefore, He saith: 
"Awake, you who are sleeping; and arise 
from the dead, and Christ will shine * upon 
you!" 

15 Look, therefore, carefully, how ye 
walk, not as unwise, but as wise, 16 buy- 
ing up the opportunity, because the days 
are evil. 17 For this reason, be not fool- 
ish, but understand what the will of the 
Lord is. 18 And be not drunken with 
wine, in which is riot,* but be filled with** 
the Spirit; 19 speaking to yourselves in 
psalms, and hymns, and spiritual songs, 
singing and making melody in your heart 
to the Lord; 20 giving thanks always for 
all things,- in the name of our Lord Jesus 



1 Gr. Knowing. 

NOTES ON CHAPTER V. 

1 Imitators of God; in His love to men. It is as we let 
His love possess us, that we may, in a measure, imitate 
Him. 

2 An odor of sweet smell: pleasing and acceptable to 
God. 

3 Covetousness: a desire for more— usually applied to 
money or worldly possessions. Craving more is sinful in 
a pauper or millionaire. 

4 Filthiness: obscenity in words or actions. Foolish 
talking; speaking idle words. How many Christians drive 
the Spirit from them because of their idle, empty words 
and silly jestingsl 

5 Who is an idolater; the covetous man is an idolater. 
He worships Mammon, and can have no inheritance in the 
Kingdom of God. 

6 Let no man deceive you; by leading you to think that 
the persons described in v. 5 can enter Heaven. 

8 Once darkness; before they accepted Christ they were 
living in ignorance and sin. Light in the Lord; believing 
on Christ, they were enlightened, purified, and became re- 
flectors of the light of Christ to the world. 

10 Proving; or testing in an experimental way, by yield- 
ing the life wholly to God. 

12 It is a shame to speak of those things; they are too 
Tile to mention, or even to think of without abhorrence. 

13 Are made manifest by the light; by the light that re- 



Or. give light, i Or, profligacy. 5 



2 Or, refuted. 
Or, in. 



proof throws upon them their vileness is exposed. All 
that makes manifest is light; two readings are possible 
here; "All that is made manifest is light." The former 
seems preferable, as it is difficult to see how exposed vile- 
ness can itself become light. 

14 He saith; God says in the teachings of his word. 
Awake, you who are sleeping; awake from your death^like 
slumbers in sin and pollution. Arise from the dead; from 
your position of death in sin. and trust in Jesus who will 
pardon you, and live His life in you, if you will let Him. 

1 5 Buying up the opportunity; making the most of every 
opportunity ; and even sacrificing all minor interests, that 
you may make most of your spiritual opportunities. The 
days are evil; evil surrounds us every day; and, unless we 
keep our wills centered in Jesus, and firmly set against all 
evil, we will not make the most of our opportunities. 

18 Be not drunk with wine; drunkenness, whether on 
wine, strong drink, or opiates, is a great sin. Inwhichis 
riot; the elements of riot are in the wine, and it shows it- 
self in the conduct of the drunken one. Be filled with the 
Spirit; this is a command, and ought to be obeyed. The 
Christian should be habitually and freshly filled with the 
Holy Spirit; and he who fails to live the Spirit-filled life 
impoverishes himself immeasurably, and curtails his pos- 
sibilities of greatest usefulness and happiness. 

19 Psalms; these were songs accompanying a musical 
instrument. Hymns and spiritual songs: these were songs 
that had no relation to musical instruments. 



284 



EPHESIANS 



Christ, to God, even the Father; 21 sub- 
mitting yourselves one to another in the 
fear of Christ; 22 the wives, to their own 
husbands, as to the Lord; 23 because a 
husband is head of the wife, as Christ also is 
Head of the assembly; Himself the Savior 
of the body. 24 But, as the assembly is 
subject to Christ, so also let the women l)e 
to their husbands in everything. 

25 Husbands, love your wives, as Christ 
also loved the assembly, and delivered 
Himself up for it, 26 that He might 
sanctify it, having cleansed it by the wash- 
ing of the water in" the word, 27 that 
He might present to Himself the assembly, 
glorious, not having spot, or wrinkle, or 



any such thing, but that it may be holy and 
without blemish. 28 So ought husbands 
also to love their own wives as their own 
bodies. He who loves his own wife loves 
himself; 29 for no one ever hated his own 
flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, as also 
Christ the assembly; 30 because we are 
members of His body. 31 For this cause, 
will a man leave his father and mother, 
and cleave to his wife, and the two shall be 
one flesh.' 32 This mystery is great; but 
I am speaking of Christ and of the assem- 
bly. 33 Nevertheless, do ye also, sever- 
ally, each one, so love his own wife, as 
himself; and let the wife see that she fear" 
her husband. 



7 Gr, For i 



! flesh. 



Or, revere. 



21 Submittino yourselves one to another; yielding cheer- 
ful obedience to rightful authority, because God requires 
it. 

22 The wives, to their own husbands, as to the Lord: God 
has appointed the husband as head of the family, but not 
as a tyrant. When the husband requires anything of the 
wife that is contrary to God's expressed will, she should 
obey God rather than her husband. 

23 Himself the Savior of the body; Christ is the Savior 
of the assembly— which is His body. He is also the Savior 
of our individual bodies. 

24 In everything; see note on v. 22. 

25 Husbands, love your wives, as Christ also loved the as- 
sembly: this is a very high standard for husbands, imply- 
ing great self-sacrifice in the interest of their wives. 

28 He who loves his own wife loves himself; referring to 
the declaration. "They shall be one flesh." (Gen. 2:24). 



Their interests are one. and what promotes the good of 
one promotes it also of the other. 

29 As Christ also the assembly; which is "His flesh and 
His bones," (v. 30). As a man cares for himself, and as 
Christ cares for the assembly, so a husband should care 
for his wife. 

30 Members of His body; hence He loves and cherishes 
us as His own flesh. 

31 For this cause; on account of this oneness between 
man and wife. 

32 This mystery is great; this union between Christ and 
believers, as represented by the marriage relation, (I Cor. 
6:17). 

33 Nevertheless: dropping the figure, and returning to 
plain speech. Fear her husband: have due reverence for 
her husband. While the husband loves his wife as him- 
self; and this excludes all severity, austerity, and lording 
it over his wife. 



CHAPTER VI. 

1 Children, obey your parents in the 
Lord; for this is right. 2 "Honor your 
father and mother" (which, indeed, is the 
first commandment with a promise), 3 
"that it may be well with you, and that 
you may live long on the earth." 

4 And, fathers, do not provoke your 
children to anger, but bring them up in 
the discipline and admonition of the Lord. 

6 Servants, obey your masters accord- 
ing to the flesh, with fear and trembling. 



in singleness of your heart, as to Christ; 
6 not with eye-service, as men-pleasers, 
but as servants of Christ, doing the will of 
God from the soul, 7 with good-will do- 
ing service, as to the Lord, and not to men; 
8 knowing that whatsoever good thing 
each one does, this shall he receive from 
the Lord, whether bond or free. 9 And, 
masters, do the same thing to them, for- 
bearing the threat; knowing that both their 
Master and yours is in Heaven, and there 
is no respect of persons with Him. 



NOTES ON CHAPTER VI. 

1 Obey your parentis: here the same limitation exists as 
in the case of the wife; if the father commands his chil- 
dren to violate the law of God, or to do things manifestly 
contrary to the will of God. the child should obey God 
rather than its father. Neither parents nor one's govern- 
ment itself should be permitted to come in between one 
and his God. 

2 ^promise; of long life, (Ex. 20:12). 

4 Provoke not your children; give them no just 
to be angry, or to feel that they are wronged. 

5 Masters acMTdtng to the flesh: those to whom you 



service, or who, according to human laws, have the legal 
right to demand your service. 

6 iVof with eye-service: not merely while they are look- 
ing at you, but in their absence as well ; not a constrained 
outward service, but a service proceeding from the heart, 
out of regard to God. 

9 Masters do the same thing to them; adopt the same 
principles as those enjoined on servants ; be honest, kind- 
hearted, just, and loving, in your dealings with them. 
Master and servant have a common Savior and a common 
Judge, Who has no respect to the person of one more than 
to the other. 



EPHESIANS 



285 



10 Finally, be strong in the Lord, and 
in the strength of His might. 11 Put 
on the whole armor of God, that ye 
may be able to stand against the wiles 
of the Devil; 12 because to us the 
struggle is not against blood and flesh, 
but against the principalities, against the 
authorities, against the world-rulers of this 
darkness, against the spiritual forces of 
evil in the heavenly p^aeea. 13 On this 
account, take up the whole armor of God, 
that ye may be able to withstand in tlie 
evil day; and, having fully accomplished 
all, to stand. 14 Stand, therefore, having 
girded your loins about with truth, and 
having put on the breast-plate of right- 
eousness, 15 and having shod your feet 
with the preparation of the Gospel of 
peace; 16 withal having taken up the 
shield of faith, with which ye will be able 
to quench all the fiery darts of the evil 
one. 17 A;nd receive the helmet of sal- 
vation, and the sword of the Spirit, which 
is the word of God: 18 with all prayer 



and supplication praying at every oppor- 
tunity in the Spirit, and watching there- 
unto in all perseverance and supplica- 
tion for all the saints; and on my behalf 
that utterance may be given to me, in 
opening my mouth to make known with 
boldness the ipystery of the Gospel, 20 
for which I am an ambassador in chains,' 
that therein I may speak boldly, as I ought 
to speak. 

21 But, that ye also may know my af- 
fairs, what I am doing, Tychicus, the be- 
loved brother and faithful minister in the 
Lord, will make all things known to you; 
22 whom I sent to you for this very pur- 
pose, that ye may know our affairs, and 
that he may encourage your hearts. 

23 Peace he to the brethren, and love 
with faith, from God the Father, and the 
Lord Jesus Christ. 

24 Grace be with all who love our Lord 
Jesus Christ in sincerity. 



1 Gr. In a chain. 



10 Be strong in the Lord; strong to resist evil, and to 
overcome every foe within and without. This strength 
comes from God. And, if one is vitally united to Christ 
hy a living faith, he will be strong to do all that Christ re- 
quires at his hands. 

1 1 Pnt on the tvhole armor of God; put on the panoply of 
God. Wiles; methods, strategies, snares, etc. 

12 The struggle; conflict, contest, or wrestling. JVo< 
with blood and flesh; weak mortals like ourselves. The 
principalities . . . authorities . . . world-ziilers of this dark- 
ness; the various orders of evil spirits that rule the world. 
Spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places; meaning Sa- 
tan and his wicked armies that inhabit the air, (see note 
on oh. 2:2). 

13 The whole armor; the panoply : viz., the full armor 
provided for the believer in the Gospel of Christ. In the 
■evil day; when Satan brings on the battle, and one is 
tempted to sin, or assaulted in spirit, soul, or body. 

14 Having girded your loins about with truth; alluding to 
the girdle of the soldier, which he wore about his loins for 
strength. The Christian soldier has truth— Aivine truth— 
as his girdle. The breast-plate of righteousness; the right- 
eousness of Christ inwrought in the believer in whose 
heart Christ rules. 

15 Having shod your feet; after the fashion of a soldier 
who has put on his military shoes. The preparation of 
the Gospel of peace; the inward preparation, or readiness 
of mind and heart which the Gospel of peace bestows, 
<Phil. 4:7). 



16 Fiery darts; alluding to the darts that were ignited 
and shot or hurled into the ranks of the enemy. This in- 
dicates the severity of the temptations with which Satan 
assaults God's people. 

17 The helmet of salvation; "For a helmet the hope of 
salvation," (I Thess. 5:8), The sword of the Spirit; the 
word of God which the Spirit has furnished, 

N. S.— The panoply fully protected the vital parts of 
the Roman soldier in front, but made no provision for the 
protection of his back; it being understood that the 
Roman soldier never turned his back to the enemy. So 
the soldier of the cross is provided with the full armor of 
the Gospel; and, if he is wise to use it, he will never be 
injured by the enemy. 

18 Praying . . . watching; it is the privilege and duty 
of the believer to pray in the Spirit for all saints; and 
then to watch for the answers. Christians, no doubt, 
would be greatly elevated in the tone of their piety and 
living, if all believers would earnestly heed this injunc- 
tion. 

20 An ambassador in chains; Paul was an ambassador 
for Christ, but he wore a chain that fastened him to a 
Roman soldier. 

21 Tychicus; by whom Paul sent this epistle to Ephesus. 

22 Encourage your hearts; by recounting the goodness 
of God to Paul, and the great power of the Gospel to save 
and bless those who accept it. 



THE 



EPIBTLE TO THE PHILIPPIAJSTS. 



Philippi was a city of Macedonia, situated on a plain ten miles north-west of Neapolis. its port. The account ot 
the planting of the Gospel in Philippi is recorded In Acts 16:12-40, during which visit Paul and Silas were so cruelly 
treated, and so miraculously delivered from the custody of the infuriated populace. In going and returning from 
Corinth. Paul visited the Philippian brethren again. (Acts 20:1-6). The occasion of the present epistle was the con- 
tribution sent by the Philippian brethren for Paul's relief while a prisoner at Rome, (ch. 4:10-18). It was probably 
written from 61 to 63 A. D , and. as some think, during his first imprisonment; though others claim that it was writ- 
ten during his second imprisonment. 

CONTENTS. 

I. Introduction; salutation, thanksgiving and prayer, (1:1-11). II. Personal; account of his own circum- 
stances, and of the progress of the Gospel at Rome. (1:12-26). III. Hortatory and doctrinal ; exhortation to unity and 
humility. (1:27— 11:1-4); based upon the humility of Christ. (11:5-11) ; and exhortation. (11:12-18). IV. Personal: re- 
garding himself. Timothy, and Epaphroditus. (11:19-30). V. Hortatory, with doctrinal parenthesis; exhortation in- 
terrupted by (I) a warning against Judaistic formalism (III: 1-16). and (2) antinomianism. (111:17-24). Renewed ex- 
hortation, (IV: 1-9). VI. Personal; acknowledgment of the aid received. (IV:10-19). Farewell. (IV:20-23). 



PHIEIPPIANS. 

CHAPTER I. 

1 Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ 
Jesus, to all the saints in Christ Jesus who 
are at Philippi, with the bishops* and dea- 
cons: 2 Grace to you, and peace from 
God our Father and the Lord Jesus 
Christ. 

3 I thank my God upon every remem- 
brance of you — 4 always, in every sup- 
plication of mine on behalf of you all, 
making supplication with joy — 5 on ac- 
count of your fellowship for the Gospel, 
from the first day until now; 6 having 
become persuaded of this very thing, that 
He Who began in you a good work will 
perfect it until the (lay of Jesus Christ; 7 
even as it is right for me to think this in 
behalf of you all; because ye have me in 
your heart, both in my bonds and in the 
defense and confirmation of tlie Gospel, 
all of you being partakers with me of the 
grace. 8 For God is my witness, how I 
long for you all in the tender affections -of 



Christ Jesus. 9 And this I pray, that 
your love may abound yet more and more 
in full knowledge and all discernment; 10 
so that ye may approve^ the things that 
are excellent; that ye may be pure and 
without offense to the day of Christ; 11 
being filled with the fruit of righteous- 
ness, which is through Jesus Christ, to the 
glory and praise of God. 

12 Now I wish you to know, brethren, 
that the things relating to me have re- 
sulted rather in the furtherance of the 
Gospel; 13 that my bonds became mani- 
fest in Christ in the whole prsetorium, and 
to all the rest; 14 and that the greater 
part of the brethren, having become con- 
fident in the Lord by my bonds, are much 
more bold to speak the word of God with- 
out fear. 15 Some, indeed, preach Christ 
even because of envy and strife; and 
some also of good-will; 16 the one, from 
love, knowing that I am set for the de- 
fense of the Gospel; 17 but the other 
proclaim Christ of contention, not sin- 
cerely, thinking to add'' tribulation to 



1 Or, overseers. 



2 Or, prove. 3 Or, to sii, 



■ up. 



NOTES ON CHAPTER I. 

5 Tiiur fellowship for the Gospel: their interest in the 
Gospel, and in its proclamation in the world. 

6 Will perfect it : that is. will perfect the good work 
He began In you. Until the day of Jissits Christ: the day of 
His coming for His people. 

7 Because ye have me in your heart; the Greek would 
justify this rendering. "Because I have you in my heart " ; 
but the other accords better with the context. 

9 That your love may abound . . . in full knowledge and 
all discernment; love, thus accompanied by a full knowl- 
edge of the truth and a spirit of correct discernment, is one 
of the highest spiritual attainments. Love, without these 
two accompaniments, is blind, and may lead to many ex- 
cesses. 

10 Approve things that are excellent; the idea seems to 



be. that they were to test or prove the things that differ, 
so as to approve the good, and reject the evil. 

12 Thethings relating to me; my imprisonment and all 
the circumstances attending it. 

My hmids became mnnifest in Christ; not merely his 
bonds, but his bonds in Christ, became manifest. In the 
whole prcetorium; meaning, likely, the prtetorian camp, or 
the camp of the emperor's body-guard. 

Having become confident by my bonds: by seeing how 
God protected and supported Paul, and gave efficacy to his 
preaching, even as a prisoner. 

En vy and strife: envy towards Paul for his influence, 
and a desire to buildup a party against him. No doubt, 
these were the Judaizing teachers who opposed Paul in 
Corinth, and did such fearful work among the assemblies 
in Galatia. 



PHILIPPIANS 



my bonds. 18 What then? save that in 
every way, whether in pretense or in truth, 
Christ is being proclaimed; and in this I 
rejoice, yea, and will rejoice. 19 For 1 
know that this will turn out for my salva- 
tion, through your supplication and a sup- 
ply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ; 20 ac- 
cording to my earnest expectation and hope, 
that I shall in nothing be put to shame, but 
that with all boldness, as always, so now 
also Christ shall be magnified in my body, 
whether through life, or through death. 
21 For to me to live is Christ, and to die 
is gain. 22 But if it he to live in flesh, 
this is to me a fruit of labor; and what I 
shall choose I know not; 23 but I am con- 
strained by the two; having the desire to 
depart and be with Christ, for it is f ^r bet- 
ter; 24: but to abide in flesh is more need- 
ful for you. 25 And, having become as- 
sured of this, I know that I shall abide, and 



continue with you all for your progress and 
joy in* the faith, 26 that your glorying 
may abound in Jesus Christ in me through 
my presence with you again. 

27 Only demean yourselves in a man- 
ner worthy of the Gospel of Christ; that, 
whether coming and seeing you, or being 
absent, I may hear of your affairs, that ye 
are standing fast in one spirit, with one 
soul striving together for the faith of the 
Gospel; 28 and in nothing terrified by 
the adversaries; which, indeed, to them is 
a token of destruction, but of your salva- 
tion, and this from God; 29 but to you 
it was granted as a favor in behalf of 
Christ, not only to believe on Him, but in 
His behalf to suffer also; 30 having the 
same conflict which ye saw in me, and 
now hear of in me. 



4 Gr. Of. 



18 In pretense; such as the false teachers used, cover- 
ing up their real designs. 

19 For my salvation; in the widest sense; vindicating 
his apostleship as genuine, and his teachings as approved 
of God. Through your supplication; Paul hoped to he 
helped mightily through their prayers for him. 

20 Christ shall be maonlfled in my body; in what shall 
befall me. 

21 For me to live is Christ; Christ had come into Paul 
to live, (Gal. 2:20); and now the apostle's living was 
Christ manifested in him. To die is gain; it would have 
contributed to the apostle's happiness to die, and go to 
live with Christ. 

22 This is the fruit of my labor; this is the way in 
which my labor can be fruitful to others. 

23 Constrained by the two; strongly drawn both ways. 
Having the desire to depart and be with Christ; Paul saw 
that death would be followed by an immediate departure 



of his spirit into the presence of Christ. Far better; bet- 
ter as respects his enjoyment of Christ, or his own per- 
sonal happiness for the time. 

25 Having become assured of this; viz.. that his longer 
continuance would be for their good. 

27 Only demean yourselves in a manner worthy; let all 
your conduct be such as the Gospel of Christ requires. 

28 A token of destruction; the sustaining presence and 
power of God which He grants to you, is proof that He 
will destroy your enemies, and save you. 

29 It was granted as a favor . . . in His behalf to suffer; 
it is a great honor to suffer in behalf of Jesus— to suffer 
persecutions, and all manner of trials and hardships be- 
cause of one"s identification with Christ and His cause, 
(I Peter 4:13, 14; Rom. 8:17; II Tim. 2:11. 12). 

30 Having the same conflict; with the opposers of the 
Gospel. These Philippian Christians were not exempt 
from persecutions and trials; nor are any who live godly 
in Christ Jesus. 



CHAPTER II. 

1 If there is any consolation in Christ, 
if any encouragement of love, if any fel- 
lowship of the Spirit, if any tender affec- 
tions and compassions, 2 fill ye up ray joy, 
that ye think the same thing; having the 
same love; united in soul; minding the one 
thing; 3 doing nothing through strife or 
vainglory; but in lowliness of mind, each 
esteeming others better than himself; 4 
not looking each to his own things, but 
each also to the things of others. 

5 Have this mind in you, which was also 



in Christ Jesus; 6 Who, existing origi- 
nally in the form of God, accounted it not 
a prize-^ to be equal with God, 7 but emp- 
tied Himself, taking a slave's form, com- 
ing to be in the likeness of men; 8 and, 
being found in fashion as a man. He hum- 
bled Himself, becoming obedient unto 
death, even the death of the cross. 9 
Wherefore also God highly exalted Him, 
and bestowed upon Him the name which 
is above every name; 10 that, in the name 
of Jesus, every knee should bow, of heings 



1 Or. a thing to be grasped. 



NOTES ON CHAPTER II. 

6 Accounted it not a prize; or something to be eagerly 

grasped, because, in fact. He was equal with the Father, 

(Isa. 9:6; John 1:1-4; Heb. 1:8). Emptied Himself; forthe 

time He relinquished the glory which He had with the 



Father before the world was (John 17:5), and His vast 
riches. (II Cor. 8:9). 

9 Bighly exalted Him; as Mediator, and Head of all 
things to the universal assembly, (Matt. 28:18; Heb. 1:3). 

10 All beings in Heaven and on earth will worship JesuSr 
(Rom. 14:11). 



288 



PHILIPPIANS 



in Heaven, and on earth, and under the 
earth, 11 and every tongue should con- 
fess that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory 
of God the Father. 

12 So then, my beloved, as ye always 
obeyed, not as in my presence only, but 
now much more in my absence, work out 
your own salvation with fear and tremb- 
ling; 13 for it is God Who is working in 
you both to will and to work for His good 
pleasure. 

14 Do all things without murmurings 
and disputings; 15 that ye may become 
blameless and liarmless, children of God, 
irreproachable in the midst of a crooked 
and perverse generation, among whom ye 
appear as luminaries in the world, 16 
holding forth the word of life, for an oc- 
casion of glorying to me at the day of 
Christ, that I ran not in vain, neither la- 
bored in vain. 17 But even if I am offered 
as a libation upon the sacrifice and minis- 
try of your faith, I rejoice, and I rejoice 
with you all; 18 and in^ the same thing 
do ye also rejoice, and rejoice with me. 

19 But I am hoping in the Lord Jesus 
shortly to send Timothy to you, that I also 
may be cheerful, when having known the 
things concerning you. 20 For I have no 



one like-minded, who, indeed, will sin- 
cerely care for your interests; 21 for all 
are seeking their own, not the things of 
Jesus Christ. 22 But ye know the proof 
of him, that, as a child with a father, he 
served with me in furtherance of the Gos- 
pel. 23 Him, indeed, therefore, I hope 
to send immediately, as soon as 1 may look 
away from the things which concern me: 
24 but I trust in the Lord that I myself 
also shall come shortly. 25 Yet I deemed 
it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus, 
my brother, and fellow-worker, and fel- 
low-soldier, but your messenger and min- 
ister to my need; 26 since he was longing 
after you all, and was in great distress, 
because ye heard that he was sick. 27 
For, i«i fact, he was sick, near to death; 
but God had mercy on him, and not on 
him only, but on me also, that I might not 
have sorrow upon sorrow. 28 I sent him, 
therefore, the more urgently, that, seeing 
him again, ye may rejoice, and I may be 
the less sorrowful. 29 Receive him, there- 
fore, in the Lord with all joy, and hold 
such in honor; 30 because, for the work 
of Christ, he came near to death; imper- 
iling his soul,^ that he might fill up your 
lack of ministry toward me. 



2 Or. as to. 



Or, life. 



12 Work out your own salvation; by yielding absolute 
obedience to God in all things. With fear and trembling; 
lest you should fail to please God in your daily walk. 

13 Who is working in you; influencing your will, and 
controlling your actions, through the power of the Holy 
Spirit. 

15 Appeur as luminaries in the woi-ld; as the luminaries 
of the heavens give light to the material world, so true be- 
lievers are luminaries in the moral and spiritual world. 

16 Holding forth the word of life; exhibiting in principle 
and practice the Gospel of Christ. 

17 Offered as a libation: that is, if my blood is poured 
out as a libation. Vpon the sacrifice and ministry of your 
faith: upon the service of presenting your faith as a sacri- 
fice acceptable to God. As a priest, the apostle labored to 
present everybody who came under his ministry perfect. 
<Col. 1:28). 

18 Rejoice with me; grieve not at my sufferings for your 
sake, but rejoice with me in it all. 

20 No manlike-minded: in his deep concern for the well- 
fare of the brethren at Philippi. We are to understand 
that Paul limits his expression to those about him at the 
time of his writing. 

21 All seek their own: selfishness is a fearful blight upon 



Christianity; and then, as now, there were few who had 
risen above it, 

83 As soon OS I may look away from the things which 
concern me; his own trial before the Roman emperor was 
a matter of paramount importance to him; and, when 
things might transpire that would enable him to take his 
mind off this pending crisis, he might then have leisure to 
attend to other matters. The rendering, "so soon as I 
may see how .t will go with me," is an inference from 
what is said, rather than a translation of the Greek. 

25 Epaphroditus; he- was from Philippi, and came to 
bring assistance to Paul from the Philippian brethren, 
(ch, 4:18). 

29 Hold such in honor; persons who make such sacrifices 
in the cause of Christ should be honored by their brethren, 

30 Thathemight fill up your lack of ministry tome; the 
Philippians were absent and could not render the personal 
attention to the wants of the apostle that they would gladly 
have rendered, had they been present. Epaphroditus 
seems to have endured much hardship, and to have in- 
curred much danger, by reason of his labors and sacrifices 
in the interest of Paul. We are not to understand that the 
apostle was complaining of any neglect on the part of his 
Philippian brethren. 



CHAPTER HI. 
1 Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the 



Lord. To write the same things to you to 
me, indeed, is not irksome, while for you 
it is safe. 



NOTES ON CHAPTER III. 
1 The same things; meaning, probably, the 



s things 



which he had before .noulcated. For you it is safe: they 
needed his mature thoughts on these subjects. 



PHILIPPIANS 



2 Beware of the dogs, beware of the 
evil-workers, beware of the mutilation/ 
3 For we are the circumcision, who wor- 
ship by the Spirit of Ood, and glory in 
Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in 
flesh: 4 though I might have confidence 
even in flesh; if any other man supposes 
that he has occmion for confidence in 
flesh, I more: 5 circumcised the eighth 
day, of the race of Israel, of the tribe of 
Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; as to 
tJie law, a Pharisee; 6 as to zeal, perse- 
cuting the assembly; as to the righteous- 
ness which is in the law, blameless. 7 
But what things were gain to me, these I 
accounted loss for Christ. 8 Nay, more, 
I even account all things to be loss for the 
excellency of the knowledge of Christ 
Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I suffered 
the loss of all things, and account them 
refuse, that I may gain Christ, 9 and be 
found in Him, not having my own right- 
eousness, which is of law, but that which 
is through faith in Christ — the righteous- 
ness which is of God by^ faith; 10 that I 
may know Him, and the power of His 
resurrection, and the fellowship of His 



sufferings, being conformed to His death; 
11 if by any means I may attain to the 
out-resurrection from the dead. 12 Not 
that I already obtained, or have already 
been made perfect; but I am pressing on, 
if 1 may lay hold of that for which I was 
laid hold of by Christ Jesus. 13 Breth- 
ren, I do not account myself to have laid 
hold of it; but one thing I do^ forgetting 
the things which are behind, and reaching 
forth to the things before, 14 I am press- 
ing on toward the mark, for the prize of 
the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. 
15 Let us, therefore, as many as are per- 
fect, think* this; and, if in anything ye 
think differently, even this God will re- 
veal to you; 16 nevertheless, whereunto 
we advanced, by the same rule let us walk. 
17 Brethren, become imitators together 
of me, and mark those who so walk, as ye 
have us as an example. 18 For many are 
walking, of whom I often told you, and 
now tell you even weeping, that they are 
the enemies of the cross of Christ, 19 
whose end is destruction, whose god is 
their belly, and whose glory is in their 



1 Gr. Cutting down, "hacking,''' 2 Gr. Upon. 

■ 3 Dogs; false, fighting teachers. The mutilation; the ad- 
vocates of circumcision, who believed in cutting or muti- 
lating the bodies of people as a condition of salvation; 
meaning the Judaizing teachers. 

3 We; true believers in Christ. Are the circumcision; 
have the true circumcision which is of the heart; being 
cut off from the guilt of sin through faith in Christ. No 
confidence in flesh; in any natural goodness, or works of 
law, as a ground of salvation. 

5 As to the law; as he viewed it before his conversion. 

6 As to the righteousness which is in the law; the right- 
eousness which, as a Pharisee, he supposed his legal ob- 
servances brought him. 

7 }yhat things were gain to me; the things that, he sup- 
posed, made him righteous, and gave him importance be- 
fore God and men. Loss; as of no Importance, utterly 
worthless as helps to salvation. 

8 1 account all things to heloss; all ritual observances 
and all works of law are utterly worthless as aids to sal- 
vation. The excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus, 
to know Christ is most excellent knowledge; and. when 
one comes to know Christ truly all other knowledge 
dwindles into insignificance. That J may gain Christ; 
gain His presence and rule in the heart, and become a 
partaker of the Divine Nature (II Pet. 1:4). and of God's 
holiness, (Heb. 13:10). and reach His full stature (Eph. 
4:13). 

10 Knotv Sim; Christ in all His full provisions for 
spirit, soul, and body. The power of Sis resurrection; by 
partaking, more and more, of His resurrection life. The 
fellowship of Sis sufferings; the patient endurance of per- 
secutions, tribulations, and every sort of ill. because of 



3 Which implies, being of the same mind. 

one's attachment to Christ and His cause. Being con- 
formed to Sis death; Christ's death in our behalf was per- 
fect; and He wishes us to be conformed to His death, to 
the end that His perfect resurrection life may be imparted 
tons, (I Cor. 4:10,11). The extent of one's death (to self 
and to all out of harmony with God) measures the extent 
of the Christ-life in one. 

11 May attain to the out-re&urrection from, the dead; 
the apostle wished to be a full overcomer; and this would 
give him a special resurrection, which would insure him a 
place in the throne of Jesus, (Rev. 3:21). 

13 Not that I already obtained; the full resurrection 
lite of Jesus. There were heights in the divine life that 
he had not yet scaled. Lay hold of: seize upon, possess^ 
and realize. 

13 / account not myself to have laid hold of; the fulness 
that was possible to him, he had not yet realized. 

14 I am pressing toward the jnark; the goal at the end of 
the course. For the prize of the high calling of God in. 
Christ Jesus; this prize is perfect likeness to Jesus Christ, 
(Eph. 4:13). God's high calling holds out this high Ideal 
to the believer. 

15 As many as are perfect; if any have already reached 
perfection, it is still safe for him to keep pressing forward. 
Think this; let him cherish the thought just expressed 
above. Think differently; if any did not see just as the 
apostle did on this subject, God was ready to give him 
light. 

16 Let us walk by the same rule; Christians of the same 
grade of advancement should be able to walk together in 
perfect harmony. 

19 Who are thinking of earthly things; have their minds 
fixed upon temporal matters. 



PHILIPPJANS 



I 



shame, who are thinking of earthly things. 
20 For our citizenship is in Heaven, 
whence also we are waiting for a Savior, 
the Lord Jesus Christ; 21 Who will 



transform the body of our humiliation 
into conformity to the body of His glory, 
according to the working whereby He is 
able also to subject all things to Himself. 



20 Our citizenship is in Heaven; our names are there, our 
hearts are there, and our King is there. We are waiting 
for a Savior; this is the true attitude of the believer; viz., 
to be waiting for His King to come from Heaven, (I Thess. 
1:10). 



21 Transform the body of our humiliation; at His com- 
ing for the ready ones, (I Thess. 4:15-17; I Cor. 15:51. 52), 
The body of His glory; the glorious body of Christ. What 
infinite grace to give us bodies like His own! It will be 
blessed to exchange our mortal body for one like His. 



CHAPTER IV. 

1 Therefore, my brethren, beloved and 
longed for, my joy and crown, so stand 
fast in the Lord, beloved. 

2 I entreat Euodia, and I entreat Syn- 
tiche, to think the same thing in the Lord 
3 Yea, I request you also, true yoke-fel- 
low, help these women, who, indeed, la- 
bored^ with me in the Gospel, with Clem- 
ent also, and my remaining fellow-labor- 
ers, whose names are in the book of life. 

4 Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will 
say, rejoice. 5 Let your forbearance be 
known to all men: the Lord is near! 6 
Be anxious for nothing; but, in every- 
thing by prayer and supplication with 
thanksgiving, let your requests be made 
known to God; 7 and the peace of God, 
which surpasses all understanding, will 
guard your hearts and your minds in 
Christ Jesus. 

8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things 
are true, whatsoever things are honorable, 
whatsoever things are righteous, whatso- 
ever things are pure, whatsoever things 



are lovely, whatsoever things are of good 
report, if there he any virtue, and if there 
any praise, think on these things. 9 
The things also, which ye learned, and re- 
ceived, and heard, and saw in me, these 
practice; and the God of peace will be 
with you. 

10 But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly, 
that now at length ye revived your thought 
in my behalf, for whom ye were taking 
thought, but ye lacked opportunity. 11 
Not that I am speaking in respect of want; 
for I learned in whatsoever circumstances 
I am, to be content. 12 I both know 
how to be humbled, and I know how to 
abound: in everything, and in all things, 
I have learned both to be well fed, and 
and to be hungry, both to abound, 
to be in want. 13 I am strong enough 
for all things in Him Who strengthen- 
eth me. 14 Notwithstanding, ye did 
well, in sharing ' with me in my trib- 
ulation. 15 And know ye^ also, Phil- 
ippians, that in the beginning of the Gos- 
pel, when I went forth from Macedonia, 
no assembly had fellowship with me in the 



Gr. Acted the athlete with i 



2 Or, ye know. 



NOTES ON CHAPTER IV. 

1 So stand fast in the Lord; as those whose citizenship 
Is in Heaven, and who have such a glorious destiny await 
ing them. 

2 Euodia . . . Svntiche; two Christian women, who 
lived at Philippi. who seem to have been at variance. 

3 True yoke- fellow; these words may be addressed to 
Epaphroditus ; but this is not certain. Help these women; 
the two women named in v. 2. Vfho. indeed, labored with 
me in the Oospel; the Greek indicates that these women 
waged a combat conjointly with the apostle, in further- 
ance of the Gospel. Many women have been skillful soul- 
winners, and some have been successful in piloting weary 
pilgrims into Beulah Land. 

5 Forbearance; your moderation in your dealings with 
others; gentle, kind, easy to be entreated. 

6 Be anxious for nothing; anxiety is a sin, being a pro- 
duct of unbelief, or of distrust in the providence of God. 

7 The peace of God; God's peace He bestows upon those 
who yield their being all to Him. Will guard your hearts 
andmindsin Christ Jesus; guard them from all outward 
temptations and surprises, and keep them securely shut 
up in Christ. 



8 Think on these things; that is, the things that are true, 
honorable, righteous, pure, and of good report. If there be 
any virtue; the apostle does not mean to suggest a doubt 
as to whether there is such a thing as virtue; but he meant 
to emphasize the fact, and upon this, to urge the Philip- 
pians to think of what he was saying. 

10 Bevivedyour thought in my behalf; in sending him 
aid by Epaphroditus. Te lacked opportunity; Paul was far 
separated from them, and they had few opportunities for 
helping him. 

11 In rtspect of want; It was not because of any want 
that the apostle wrote thus to the Philippians. 

12 To be humbled; to be brought low by reason of hav- 
ing but little. To abound; to have more than enough to 
supply his wants. I have learned; literally, have been 
initiated, as into a great secret, of which the world knows 
nothing, viz.. how to bear prosperity with meekness, and 
adversity with contentment. 

13 I am, strong enough for all things: to which God hath 
called me. 

15 Jnthebeginningof the Gospel; when he first preached 
to them. Had fellowship with me; by sending him needed 
help. 



PHILIPPIANS 



291 



matter of giving and receiving, but ye 
only; 16 because even in Thessalonica ye 
sent once and again to my need. 17 Not 
that I am seeking for the gift; but I seek 
for the fruit that abounds to your account. 
18 But I have all, and abound; I have been 
filled, having received from Epaphroditus 
the things sent from you, an odor of sweet 
smell, an acceptable sacrifice, well-pleas- 
ing to God. 19 But my God will liber- 



17 Not that I am seeking for the gift; he was not writ- 
ing thus, that they might bestow gifts upon him; but he 
saw in such gifts a fruit that was set to the account of the 
donors. 

19 All your need; all our needs, so to speak, are stored 
up in Christ; and, if our lives are wholly subordinated to 



ally supply all your need according to the 
riches of His glory in Christ Jesus. 

20 Now to our God and Father be the 
glory for ever and ever. Amen. 

21 Salute every saint in Christ Jesus. 
The brethren who are with me salute you. 
22 All the saints salute you, but especially 
those who are of Caesar's household. 

23 The grace of ou- Lord Jesus Christ 
he with your spirit. 



Him, and we have permitted Him to place us in His pro- 
gram for our lives; and, if we are absolutely obedient to 
Him, and pliable in His hands, our utmost need for spirit, 
soul, and body, will be supplied. 

22 CcEsar's household: members of the household of the 
Roman emperor, who had espoused the Christian faith. 



— THE 



EPISTLE TO THE COEOSSIA^STS. 



Colosse was a city in tbe south-western part ol Phrygia, and not a great way from L/aodicea and Hierapolis, 
(ch. 4:13). It would appear from ch. 2:1, that Paul wrote this letter before he had ever visited the Colossian breth- 
ren. It was probably written from Rome during Paul's first imprisonment: and. as in the case of the letter to the 
Ephesians. it was sent by Tychicus. (ch. 4:7, 8; Eph. 6:21. 22). The exact date on which this letter was written is not 
known, but different parties have put the time all the way from 61. to 64 A. D. In this epistle the apostle dwells on 
the dignity and glory of Christ's person, and brings out the great mystery of the indwelling Christ, and God's purpose 
to unite under the Headship o£ Jesus Christ all things in Heaven and earth. 

CONTENTS. 

I. Salutation, thanksgiving, and prayer. (1:1-13). II. Doctrinal: (1) Christ our Redeemer, (1:14); the image 
of God, (v. 15); the Creator and Ruler of the universe, (vs. 16, 17); the Head of the assembly (v. 18). in Whom the 
whole God-head dwells, (v. 19); (2) To Him the Colossians owe their reconciliation (1:20-22). in which they should 
stand fast, (v. 23) ; the great mystery (vs. 24-27), of which Paul was an earnest minister, (vs. 28. 29—11:1-5). III. Po- 
lemical: (1) Colossians warned to cling to Christ (11:6-10), and to spiritual circumcision, (vs. 11.12); (2) Ordinances 
done away (11:13. 14), triumphing over rulers and authorities, (v. 15); (3) Colossians not to submit to circumcision 
(11:16, 17). nor to angel worship, (vs. 18. 19) ; (4) They have died with Christ to ordinances (11:20-23). and have risen 
to a heavenly life, (111:1-4). IV. Hortatory: (1) All evil passions, to be put oft (in:5-ll), and all graces of the Spirit 
to be put on. (vs. 12-17); (2) Domestic. (111:18— IV:1) ; other duties, (vs. 2-6). V. Personal: (1) Tychicus would ex- 
plain, (IV:7-9); (2) Salutations, (IV:10-15); a mes.sage, (vs. 16, 17); (3) Farewell, (v. 18). 



COLOSSIANS. 

CHAPTEE I. 

1 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus 
through the will of God, and Timothy, 
the brother, 2 to the saints and faithful 
brethren in Christ who are in Colosse: 
Grace to you, and peace, from God our 
Father. 

3 We give thanks to God, the Father of 
our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for 
you, 4 having heard of your faith in 
Christ Jesus, and of the love which ye 
have toward all the saints, 5 because of the 
hope laid up for you in Heaven, of which 
ye heard before in the word of the truth 
of the Gospel, 6 which is present among 
you, even as it is in all the world bearing 
fruit and increasing, as it does in you also, 
since the day ye heard and knew the grace 
of God in truth; 7 even as ye learned 
from Epaphras, our beloved fellow-serv- 



ant, who is for us a faithful minister of 
Christ, 8 who also made known to us 
your love in the Spirit. 

9 For this cause we also, since the day 
we heard it^ cease not praying for you, 
and asking that ye may be filled with the 
full knowledge of His will, in all wisdom 
and spiritual understanding, 10 to walk 
worthily of the Lord to all pleasing, bear- 
ing fruit in every good work, and grow- 
ing in the knowledge of God; 11 strength- 
ened with all power, according to the 
might of His glory, unto all patience and 
long-suffering with joy; 12 giving thanks 
to the Father, Who made us meet for the 
portion of the inheritance of the saints in 
light; 13 Who delivered us out of the 
dominion of darkness, and translated us 
into the Kingdom of the Son of His love; 
14 in Whom we have redemption, the for- 
giveness of sins; 15 Who is the image of 
the invisible God, First-born^ of all crea- 



Or, Primal Source. 



NOTES ON CHAPTER I. 

5 Because of the hope; their faith and love, spoken of 
in V. 4. had a favorable position for growth and vigorous 
exercise in the hope of the glorious inheritance awaiting 
them. 

6 Bearing fruit: wherever the Gospel is faithfully 
preached and accepted, fruitage will appear. 

7 Epaphras; the teacher and minister of the Colossian 
brethren, but with Paul at the time this letter was writ- 
ten. 

8 Love in the Spirit; the Spirit is the dispenser of love 
to believers, (Rom. 5:5), 

9 Spiritual understanding; power to understand spirit- 
ual things. 

10 Unto all pleasing; pleasing to God in every way. 

11 Patience; endurance of trials without complaint. 

12 Make us meet for the portion; prepared us to receive 



this portion of the glorious inheritance awaiting the 
saints. 

13 The dominion of darkness; Satan's domain. 

15 Image of the invisible God; Jesus Christ is the image 
of His Father, First-born; this word in this connection 
seems difficult to explain. As in v. 18, there is no great 
mystery, as He was the first raised from the dead; but, 
spoken of in relation to "all creation. " as in v. 15, the in- 
terpretation is not so easy; for He, in fact, as to His di- 
vine nature, was never born at all in the ordinary sense of 
the word "born"; and, of course. He was never First- 
born in the ordinary meaning ; for. as a member o£ the 
God-head. He was absolutely eternal, (see John 1:1-4; vs. 
16, 17). It is possible that the expression. "First-born" 
in V. 15, may refer to that decree in the God-head, wheroby 
Jesus Christ in His divine nature took a place in subordi- 
nation to the Father; but it would seem that even this 



COLOSSIANS 



293 



tion; 16 because in Him were all things 
created, in the heavens, and upon the 
earth, the visible and the invisible, whether 
thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or 
powers — all things have been created 
through Him, and for Him; 17 and He 
is before all things, and in Him all things 
have held together. 18 And He is the 
Head of the body, the assembly; Who is 
the Beginning, tlie First-born from the 
dead, that in^ all things He may be pre- 
eminent; 19 because it was pleasing that 
in Him all the fulness should dwell; 20 
and through Him to reconcile all things to 
Himself, having made peace through the 
blood of His cross; through Him, whether 
the things on the earth, or the things in 
the heavens. 21 And you, being in time 
past alienated and enemies in your mind 
in evil works, 22 yet now did He recon- 
cile in the body of His flesh through death, 
to present you holy, and without blemish, 
and irreproachable, before Him; 23 if, 
at least, ye continue in the faith, founded 
and steadfast, and not moved away from 



the hope of the Gospel, which ye heard, 
which was preached in all creation under 
the heaven, of which I, Paul, was made a 
minister. 

24 Now I rejoice in my sufferings in 
your behalf, and fill up in turn the defi- 
ciencies of the tribulations of Christ in my 
flesh for the sake of His body, which is 
the assembly; 25 of which I was made a 
minister, according to the dispensation* 
of God, which was given to me for you, 
to fulfill the word of God, 26 the mys- 
tery which has been hidden from the ages 
and from the generations, but was now 
made manifest to His saints; 27 to whom 
God willed to make known what is the 
riches cf the glory of this mystery among 
the gentiles, which is Christ in you, the 
hope of glory; 28 Whom we proclaim, 
warning every man, and teaching every 
man in all wisdom, that we may present 
every man perfect in Christ; 29 to which 
end I am toiling also, striving according 
to His working, which is working in me 
with* power. 



3 Or, among. 



Or, stewai-dship. i Gr. In power. 



had ultimate reference to His redemptive work, (I Cor. 
15:28). Some say that the word " rirst-born " refers to 
the eternal Sonship of Christ ; but this view is fraught with 
the same difficulty as that hinted at above. If the word, 
in v. 15, could have an active signification; as. Primal 
Source, or Original Begetter, then the difficult phrase 
would be intelligible; for we would have " Primal Source 
of all creation " ; and then the causal clause, following it, 
would serve to explain what " Primal Source" means as 
connected with "all creation.' 

16, 17 All creation owes its existence to Jesus Christ; 
and it would follow from this that the expression. First- 
born, as applied to Christ, does not imply that He was 
created, or that there was ever a time, when He did not 
exist. Thrones, principalities, etc. ; see note on Eph. 1 :21 ; 
3:10. 

18 Head of the body; the ruler, director, and life, of be- 
lievers, who compose His body, or assembly. First-born 
from the dead; He was the first to rise from the dead. 
Pre-eminent; standing above all in authority. 

19 All fulness; the fulness of the God-head. (oh. 2:9). 

20 Having made peace; by putting away sin through the 
shedding of His blood on the cross. 

21 Alienated from God; all the human family are alien- 
ated from God by reason of sin; and this alienation con- 
tinues, until one really accepts Christ. 



22 In the body of His flesh through death; by His vica- 
rious death on the cross. To present; to present His ran- 
somed ones perfect before His Father. 

Founded and steadfast; firm and unshaken in their 
belief of the truth. 

24 Fill up . . . the deficiencies; there was no defect in 
the atonement of Christ; but to get the people of God de- 
veloped in the image of Christ requires much fellowship 
suffering on the part of God's true servants. 

25 To fulfill the word of God; to fulfill his ministry, or 
stewardship in faithfully preaching the word. 

27 Christ in you, the hope of glory; Christ enthroned in 
the hearts of His people, so as to impart His nature and 
ness to them — this is the essense of the mystery of 
godliness. The full overcomers are the ones who enthrone 
Christ in their hearts, and put the government of their be- 
ing all on His shoulder, and keep it there. 

That we may present every man perfect in Christ; per- 
fect in Christian development, having the fruitage of the 
Spirit fully grown and matured, (Gal. 5:22, 23); leading 
them on toward "the measure of the stature of the ful- 
ness of Christ," (Eph. 4:13) ; and urging them to press to- 
ward the goal. (Phil. 3:14). Paul was not content to lead 
people to become "babes in Christ"; but he labored as- 
siduously to lead them on towards full-grown manhood in 
Him. 



CHAPTER n. 

1 For I wish you to know how great a 
conflict I am having for you, and those in 
Laodicea, and as many as have not seen 



my face in flesh; 2 that their hearts may 
be comforted, they being knit together in 
love, and unto all riches of the full assur- 
ance of the understanding, unto the full 



NOTES ON CHAPTER II. 

1 Conflict; alluding to what was said in v. 29 of the first 
chapter. 

2 Knit together in love; bound together, as it were, in a 



bundle with divine love-cords. This would bring them 
comfort. Untu all riches of the full assurance of under- 
tanding; these words show the end to which such a union 
n love tends. The apostle means that understanding of 



294 



COLOSSIANS 



knowledge of the mystery of God, even 
Christ, 3 in Whom are all the treas- 
ures of wisdom and knowledge hidden^ 
away. 4 This I say, that no one may de- 
lude you with persuasive speech; 5 for 
even if I am absent in the flesh, yet am I 
with you in the Spirit, rejoicing, and be- 
holding your order, and the steadfastness 
of your faith in Christ. 

6 As, therefore, ye received Christ Jesus 
the Lord, so walk ye in Him; 7 having 
been rooted and being built up in Him, and 
being established in the faith as ye were 
taught, abounding with thanksgiving. 

8 Beware, lest there should be any one 
who makes a spoil of you through his phil- 
osophy and vain deceit, according to the 
tradition of men, according to the rudi- 
ments^ of the world, and not according to 
Christ; 9 because in Him dwells all the 
fulness of the God-head bodily; 10 and 
ye have been made complete in Him, Who 
is the Head of all principality and power; 
11 in Whom ye were also circumcised 
with a circumcision not made with hand, 
in the putting off of the body of the flesh, 
in the circumcision of Christ; 12 having 



been buried with Him in your immersion, 
in which ye were also raised with Him 
through faith in the working of God, Who 
raised Him from the dead; 13 and you, 
being dead in* your trespasses and the un- 
circumcision of your flesh, did He make 
alive with Him; having freely forgiven us 
all our trespasses; 14 having blotted out 
the hand-writing in decrees against us, 
which was contrary to us, and He has taken 
it out of the midst, nailing it to the cross; 
15 having despoiled the principalities and 
the powers, He made an example of them, 
celebrating a triumph over them in it. 

16 Let no one, therefore, judge you in 
food, or in drink, or in respect of a feast, 
or a new moon, or sabbaths, 17 which 
are a shadow of things to come, but the 
body is Christ's. 18 Let no one rob* you 
of your prize, wishing to do it in humility 
and in a worshipping of angels, speculating 
about the things which be has seen, being 
vainly puffed up by the mind of his flesh, 
19 and not holding fast the Head from 
Whom all the body, being supplied and 
knit together through the joints and bands, 
increases with the increase of God. 



1 Or, stored up. 2 Or, elements. 



3 Or, by. i Or, decide against. 



spiritual things which imparts the full assurance of their 
reality and supreme excellence, which is possessed in rich 
measure. Unto the full kno toledge; these words express the 
object to which the understanding, just mentioned, has 
reference. The mystery of God; the mystery of redemp- 
tion in Christ. 

3 Hidden away; stored up. All the treasures of wisdom 
and knowledge, needed by the believer, is stored up in 
Christ. 

6 As ye received Christ Jesus the Lord; when they 
ceived Him as their Savior, there was no burden of carnal 
ordinances i mposed upon them ; and so they should con 
tinue to be free in Christ. 

7 Booted . . . built; as a tree deeply rooted in the 
ground, or as a house built upon a rock. 

8 niio makes a spoil of you; robs you of your spiritual 
rights and privileges in Christ. Sudiments of the world; 
meaning, probably, the Mosaic ceremonies, which, as ob- 
served by false teachers, tended to foster self-righteous- 

9 God-head bodily; God dwelling in a human body, 
(John 1:14; Rom. 9:5; I Tim. 3:16; Heb. 1:6, 8). 

10 Ye have been made complete in Eim; having salvation, 
wisdom, righteousness, holiness, healing— all needs sup- 
plied in Him. 

' 11 Te were circumcised; not physically; but spiritually, 
when they accepted Christ as their Savior. The ordinance 
of circumcision, rightly understood, taught the necessity 
of giving up sin and of having the sinful nature cut oft. 

12 Buried with Bim; the ordinance of immersion, in 
symbol, identifies the believer with Christ in His death, 
burial, and resurrection. (Rom. 6:4). 



13 Dead; the sinner in the natural state is represented 
as dead. In trespasses; or by trespasses. Rather, it appears 
that in trespasses corresponds better with the facts; for 
every one is dead spiritually, even before he commits any 
overt act of disobedience. 

14 The hand-writing in decrees; the ceremonial law 
which most Jews interpreted according to the letter, and 
not in their true spiritual import. Contrary to us; burden- 
some, and against true Christian liberty. Nailing it to the 
cross; thus abrogating, or annulling it by His death on the 

15 Having despoiled the principalities and powers; Christ, 
by His death and resurrection, despoiled the rulers — under- 
magnates of Satan — of their power to lord it over true be- 
lievers; having conquered all these for His true followers, 
(John 12:31; 16:11). Made an example of them; led them 
as captives, after the manner of ancient conquerors, (Eph. 
4:8). In it ; in His death on the cross. 

16 Judge you; pronounce you good or bad, according to 
the standard of the ceremonial law. Do not enter trial 
under that law. because it has no bearing on you at all. 

17 A shadow; of the Messiah; pointing to Him as the 
only and all-sufficient Redeemer and Savior. The body is 
Christ's; Christ is the substance, of which the law was a 
shadow. 

18 Let no onerob you of your prize; your liberty and all- 
sufflciency in Christ. A worshiping of angels; probably 
me&Ding those who seek to worship God through the 
medium of angels, or any agency other than Christ. 

19 Head; Christ. The body : aU true belieYevs. The in- 
crease of God; the increase which God bestows, (Gal. 
5:22, 23). 



COLOSSIANS 



295 



20 If ye died with Christ from the rudi- 
ments of the world, why, as if living in 
the world, do ye subject yourselves to de- 
crees, 21 "Handle not, taste not, touch 
not," (22 which are all for destruction in 
the using), according to the commandments 



and teachings of men? 23 Which things, 
having, indeed, a show of wisdom, in will- 
worship, humility, and severe treatment 
of the body, are not of any value, ^ against 
the indulgence of the flesh. 



i Or, honor. 



20 If ye died with Christ; compare Bom. 6:3-11. The 
rudiments of the world; Mosaic law. Why, therefore, as if 
livinain the world; and not dead with Christ, should they 
subject themselves to decrees. 

21 "Handle not," "touch not;" these were specimens of 
Jewish commands which tended to enslave them in regard 
to meats. 



22 All for destruction in the usina; these meats, when 
eaten, would pass away, having no vital relation to their 
spiritual being. 

23 A show of wisdom; an empty pretense of wisdom; in 
three things: viz,, will-worship; something of man's in- 
vention, not required by God; humility; a vain show of It; 
and severe treatment of the body; all this to please the flesh. 



CHAPTER III. 

1 If, therefore, ye were raised up with 
Christ, seek the things above, where Christ 
is, seated on the' right hand of God. 2 
Keep thinking of the things above, not of 
the things on the earth, 3 for ye died, 
and your life has been hid with Christ in 
God. 4 When Christ, our Life, shall be 
manifested, then shall ye also with Him be 
manifested in glory. 

5 Make dead, therefore, your members 
which are upon the earth; fornication, un- 
cleanness, passion, evil desire, and covet- 
ousness, which, indeed, is idolatry; 6 on 
account of which things the wrath of God 
comes upon the sons of disobedience;^ 7 
in which things ye also formerly walked, 
when ye were living in these things. 8 
But now do ye also put away all 



anger, wrath, malice, reviling, shameful 
talk out of your mouth. 9 Lie not one to 
another, having put off the old man with 
his practices,^ 10 and having put on the 
new man who is being renewed unto full 
knowledge, according to the image of Him 
Who created him; 11 where there is no 
Greek and Jew,, circumcision and uncir- 
cumcision, barbarian, Scythian, bondman, 
freeman; but Christ is all, and in all. 

12 Put on, therefore, as God's elect, 
holy and beloved, tender affections* of 
compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, 
long-suffering; (13 bearing with one an- 
other, and freely forgiving one another, 
if any one have a complaint against any; 
even as the Lord freely forgave you, so 
also do ye): 14 and over all these put on 
love, which is the uniting-bond of perfect- 



1 Some Mss. omit. upor\ the sons of disoliedienee. 



2 Or, doings. 3 Or, a heart. 



NOTES ON CHAPTER 111. 

1 Bawed MP wif/i Ch?is(; as your representative. Christ 

died for us; and, judicially, we died in Him; He was raised 

for us, and, judicially, we were raised in Him. (see Eph. 

2:5, 6; Rom. 6:3-11). 

3 Te died; in the sense above explained; or it may also 
refer to their actual death to the love of sin. when they ac- 
depted Christ as their Savior, Your life; your new life, 
which was given in the second birth, (John 3:3. 5. 36; 5:24; 
6:40; I John 5:11, 12). Hid with Christ in Ood: thenewlife 
is in Christ, and Christ is God. 

4 Christ, our life; Christ is the Christian's life; and 
one is a Christian only as Christ's life exists in him. Shall 
he manifested; shall come for His saints. Te also; all the 
members of Christ's body will ultimately appear with him 
in glory. 

5 Make dead; since ye died with Christ, now put to death 
all the members of your body that lead to excess and sin 
The death here spoken of , however, is not a blotting out 
of these members, but subjecting all wrong action in them 
to death. Every excessive or wrong indulgence of any 
member is here forbidden; and the principle of sin that 
leads to wrong indulgence should be stricken from our be 
ing, and all our members should be dead to all such indul 
Erence. It is not the blotting out of the members them 
selves, but the cancellation, rather, of the sin-principle 



from any participation in the government of the body, (see 
Rom. 6:13, 19). 

9 Having put off; in purpose and in attitude. TTie old 
man; the princtplee,7iabits, andeviltendencies. that control 
the unregenerate. Perhaps the whole idea would bo ex- 
pressed in the word, depravity. Of course, if "the old 
man." in the case of these Colosslan brethren, had been 
absolutely and perfectly put off, all these injunctions would 
have been unnecessary. 

10 Having put on the new man; in accepting Christ as 
their Savior, they received the new life, or Christ-life; and 
the position of every one who has this Christ-life in him 
is, that he has put on Chi~ist—he has taken Him as his ideal, 
and his life ; and now it is the business of his life to let this 
new life grow, until it reaches the measure of the stature 
of the fulness of Christ. 

11 Greek . . . Jew; all grades and orders of men. when 
born of the Spirit, have equal privileges and rights in 
Christ, all being members of the one body. 

12 Put on . . . tender affections of compassion, kindness, 
humility, long-suffering; the believer, yielding up to death, 
all sinful elements in his being, should depend upon the 
Holy Spirit to work in him all these noble elements, thus 
becoming more like Christ. 

14 Love . . . the uniting-bond of perfectness; that is. love 
binds together all the other graces, into one whole, thus 
making the Christian character complete. 



COLOSSIANS 



ness. 15 And let the peace of Christ rule* 
in your hearts, unto which also ye were 
called in one body; and become thankful. 

16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you 
richly in all wisdom; teaching and admon- 
ishing one another with psalms, hymns, 
spiritual songs, singing with grace in 
your hearts, to God. 17 And whatsoever 
ye do in word or in deed, do all in the name 
of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God 
the Father through Him. 

18 Wives, submit yourselves to your 
husbands, as it was fitting in the Lord. 19 
Husbands, love your wives, and be not 
bitter toward them. 20 Children, obey 



your parents in all things; for this is well 
pleasing in the Lord. 21 Fathers, provoke 
not your children, lest they be disheart- 
ened. 22 Servants, obey in all things your 
masters" according to the flesh; not with 
eye-service, as men-pleasers, but in single- 
ness of heart, fearing the Lord. 23 What- 
soever ye do, do it heartily,® as to the 
Lord, and not to men; 24 knowing that 
from the Lord ye shall receive the recom- 
pense of the inheritance : ye are doing serv- 
ice to the Lord, Christ. 25 For he that 
does wrong shall receive back the wrong 
which he did; and there is no respect of 
persons. 



4 Or, 'be.umviTt. 



5 Gr. Lords. 6 Gr. From the soul. 



15 Peace of Ood; the peace He gives, (see note on Phil 
4:7). 
16-25 See notes on Eph. 5:19 to 6:1-9. 

21 Provoke not your children; by harsh criticism, sever- 
ity, or fault-finding. Disheartened; discouraged, or despair 
of being able to please you, and so become hardened in sin 
and indifferent to the wishes of their father. 

22 In all things : except in wrong. When a man orders 
his wife, children, or servant to do wrong, his sinful order 



should be set at nought; and the subordinate one should 
trust the whole matter to God. 

24 The reward of the inheritance; the reward of the 
heavenly inheritance which will be given to all the true 
children of God. 

25 No respect of persons: servant and master will stand 
together before God, to be judged by the same law, and 
rewarded or punished according to their characters and 
works. 



CHAPTER IV. 

1 Masters, render justice and equity to 
your servants, knowing that ye also have 
a Master in Heaven, 

2 Persevere in prayer, watching therein 
with thanksgiving; 3 at the same time 
praying for us also, that God may open to 
us a door for the word, to speak the mys- 
tery of Christ (because of which I have 
also become bound), 4 that I may make 
it manifest as I ought to speak. 

5 Walk in wisdom toward those with- 
out, buying up the opportunity. 6 Let 
your speech ie always with grace, seasoned 
with salt, that ye may know how ye ought 
to answer each one. 

7 All the things relating to me Tychi- 
cus will make known to you, the beloved 
brother, and faithful minister, and fellow- 
servant in the Lord; 8 whom I sent to 



you for this very purpose, that ye may 
know the things that concern us, and that 
he may comfort your hearts; 9 together 
with Onesimus, the faithful and beloved 
brother, who is from among you; they 
will make known to you all things here. 

10 Aristarchus, my fellow-captive, sa- 
lutes you, and Mark, the cousin of Barna- 
bas, concerning whom ye received com- 
mandments (if he come to you, receive 
him), 11 and Jesus, who is called Justus, 
who are of the circumcision: these only 
are my fellow-workers in the interests of 
the Kingdom of God, who, indeed, became 
a comfort to me. 

12 Epaphras, who is from among you, 
salutes you, a servant of Christ Jesus, al- 
ways striving in your behalf in his prayers, 
that ye may stand perfect and fully assured 
in all the will of God. 13 For I bear him 



NOTES ON CHAPTER IV. 
1 Ye also have a Master; those who have servants under 
their control should remember that they have a Master- 
even Christ— who will punish every wrong done to subor- 



2 Persevere in prayer; there is no dispensing with 
prayer, if we are to be real Christians. 

3 A door for the word; an opportunity for preaching 
the word. 

5 Walk in wisdom; act with prudence at all times 
Those without; the unconverted. 

6 Let vour speech he with grace; such as grace in the 



heart would supply. Seasoned with salt; not silly and 
profitless, but helpful and edifying. 

7 Things relating to me; as a prisoner. 

8 Whom I sent; Tychicus was the bearer of this epistle 
to the Colossians, as also that of the Ephesians, (Eph. 6:21). 

9 Onesimus; see Phile. 16, 17, 21. 

10 Mark; the author of the second Gospel. Te received 
commandments; possibly in connection with the conten- 
tion- that arose between Paul and Barnabas in regard to 
him, (Acts 15:37-39). 

11 Of the circumcision; Je-ws. 

12 Laodicca . . . Hierapolis; cities of Phrygia, in the 
vicinity of Colosse. 



COLOSSIANS 



witness, that he has much concern in be- 
half of you, and those in Laodicea, and 
those in Hierapolis. 14 Luke, the beloved 
physician, and Demas, salute you. 15 Sa- 
lute the brethren in Laodicea, and Nym- 
phas, and the assembly in her ^ house. 16 
And, when the letter may be read among 



have his. 



you, cause that it be read also in the 
assembly of the Laodiceans, and that ye 
also read the one from Laodicea. 17 And 
say to Archippus, "Take heed to the min- 
istry which you received in the Lord, that 
you fulfill it." 

18 The salutation, with my hand, of 
Paul. Remember my bonds. Grace be 
with you. 



14 LiCke: the author of the third Gospel. The beloved 
physician; there is no proof that he ever practiced medi- 
cine after he became a disciple of Jesus. Demas; Phile. 
24; II Tim. 4:10. 

15 The assembly in her house; a true Grospel assembly, 
or ecclesia, may be held in a private house. The text of 
Westcott c6 Sort, which, upon the v7hole. we deem the best, 
treats Nymphas as a woman, in whose house an assembly 
met for worship. 



16 That ye also read the one from Laodicea; this epistle 
to the Laodiceans tailed to be preserved with the other 
epistles of Paul. 

17 Archippus; Phile. 2. The ministry which you received 
in the Lord; the true ministry is something that God be- 
sto-n's on those whom He wishes to preach His Gospel; 
and those who have received this ministry should make it 
the chief object of their lives to fulfill it with the utmost 
fidelity. 



THE FIKST 



EPISTLE TO THE THESSAXiOlSTIAJN^S. 



Thessalonica, now Saloniki. situated at the head of the Thermaio gulf, was the capital of one of the four divis- 
ions of the Roman province of Macedonia. Driven from Philippi, Paul visited Thessalonica. and preached the Gospel 
to the people for a short time, (see Acts 17:1-9). After a brief stay in Thessalonica, he was driven out of the city by 
the angry Jews to Beraea, and from Bersea to Athens. It was probably written at Corinth about A. D. 52. 

CONTENTS. 

I. Salutation, (1:1). II. Narrative and personal. (1:2— 111:1-13): (I) Grateful remembrance of his successful 
ministry among them. (1:2-10); (2) The character of his preaching among them, (11:1-10: (3) Renewed thanks for 
their conversion and endurance under persecution. (11:13-16); (4) The apostle's concern for them, and despatch of 
Timothy. (11:17—111:1-10); (5) His prayer, (in:ll-13). III. Hortatory, (IV:1— V:l-20): (1) Warning and exhortation. 
(IV:1-12) ; (2) The Savior's second coming— (a) The dead to be raised, and the living (who are prepared for it) will 
be translated. (IV:13-18); (b) His coming sudden and unexpected, (V:l-3); (c) Argument for watchfulness, (V:4- 
11)— (3) Concluding exhortation, prayer, and directions, (■V:12-28). 



THESSALOISXAJSTS. 

CHAPTEK I. 

1 Paul, and Sylvanus, anci Timothy, to 
the assembly of Thessalonians in God the 
Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ: grace 
to you, and peace. 

2 We give thanks to God at all times 
for you all, making mention of you in our 
prayers; 3 remembering, without ceas- 
ing, your work of faith, and labor of love, 
and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus 
Christ, before our God and Father; 4 
knowing, brethren beloved by God, your 
election; 6 because our Gospel came not 
to you in word only, but also in power, 
and in the Holy Spirit, and in much as- 



surance;^ even as ye know what manner 
of men we became toward you, for your 
sake. 6 And ye became imitators of us 
and of the Lord, having received the word 
in much tribulation with joy of the Holy 
Spirit; 7 so that ye became a model to 
all who believe in Macedonia and in 
Achaia. 8 For from you has sounded 
forth the word of the Lprd, not only in 
Macedonia and Achaia, but in every place 
your faith toward God has gone forth; so 
that we have no need to speak anything; 
9 for they themselves report, concerning 
us, what manner of entrance we had to 
you, and how ye turned to God from idols 
to serve a living and true God, 10 and 
to wait for His Son from Heaven, Whom 
He raised from the dead, Jesus, Who 
delivers us from the coming wrath. 



Or, fulness. 



NOTES ON CHAPTER I. 
1 The assembly of Thessalonians in God; not only must 
the individual Christian derive his lite from God, but 
every assembly has its life in Him. 

3 Work of faith; work growing out of faith, or result- 
ing from it. Labor of love; labor prompted by love. Pa- 
tience of hope; patience sustained by hope. 

4 Knowing your election: knowing that God had chosen 
them, of which their acceptance and treatment of the Gos- 
pel were proof. 

5 In power and in the Holy Spirit; when one preaches 
in the power of the Holy Spirit, he has much boldness and 
assurance as to the truth of the Gospel. 

6 In much tribulation; owing to the fierce opposition 
and persecutions they endured. With joy of the Holy 
Spirit; the joy which the Spirit imparts. 



7 Macedonia and Achaia; adjoining Roman provinces, 
comprising the whole of Greece. 

8 The word of the Lord; the word as verified and illus- 
trated in their lives. 

9 They themselves; the Thessalonian brethren from 
whom the word of the Lord sounded forth. What manner of 
entrance we had; what effect the preached word had upon 
them. 

10 To wait for His Son; it is a part of the duty of the 
believer to wait for Christ to return from Heaven. The 
true Christian, who is living up to his duty, is watching, 
ready. a.nA waiting, for the coming of Christ, (Matt. 24:42. 
44: 25:13). Christians who feel no concern in the second 
coming of our Lord, and have made no preparation to re- 
ceive Him. are not Christians of the New Testament type. 



CHAPTER II. 

1 For ye yourselves, brethren, know 
our entrance to you, that it has not be- 
come vain;* 2 but, having suffered be- 



1 Or, ineffectual. 

NOTES ON CHAPTER II. 

2 in PhrttpjJi,- Acts 16:19-24. Jn much c«n.flict,- with the 
opposers of the Gospel. 



fore, and having been shamefully treated, 
as ye know, in Philippi, we grew bold in 
our God to speak to you the Gospel of 
God in much conflict. 3 For our exhor- 
tation is not of error, nor of uncleanness, 

Error, nor uncleanness, nor in guile; his exhortation 
was one based upon the truth: his motives were pure, 
nor was there any deceit at the bottom of it. 



THESSALONIANS 



299 



nor in guile; 4 but even as we have been 
approved by God to be entrusted with the 
Gospel, so we speak; not as pleasing men, 
but God, Who proveth our hearts. 6 For 
neither, at any time, did we use a word of 
flattery, as ye know, nor a semblance of 
covetousness, God z;> witness; 6 nor seek- 
ing glory of men, neither from you, nor 
from others; though able to be in author- 
ity,'* as apostles of Christ. 7 But we be- 
came gentle in the midst of you, as when a 
nurse cherishes her own children: 8 so, be- 
ing affectionately desirous of you, we were 
well pleased to impart to you, not only the 
Gospel of God, but also our own souls, 
because ye became dear to us. 9 For ye 
remember, brethren, our labor and toil; 
working night and day, that we might not 
be burdensome to any of you, we preached 
to you the Gospel of God. 10 Ye are 
witnesses, and God, how piously and right- 
eously and unblamably we behaved to- 
ward you who believe; 11 as ye know 
how we dealt with each one of you, as a 
father with his own children, exhorting 
you, and encouraging you, and testifying, 
12 that ye should walk worthily of God, 
Who is calling you into His own Kingdom 
and glory. 



13 And, for this reason, we also give 
thanks to God without ceasing, that, hav- 
ing received the word of God which ye 
heard ^ from us, ye received it, not as the 
word of men, but, as it truly is, the word 
of God, which also is working in you who 
believe. 14 For ye, brethren, became im- 
itators of the assemblies of God, that are 
in Judaea in Christ Jesus; because ye suf- 
fered the same things from your own 
countrymen, as they also did from the 
Jews; 15 who both killed the Lord Jesus 
and the prophets, and drove us out, and 
pleased not God, and are contrary to all 
men; 16 forbidding us to speak to the 
gentiles, that they might be saved, for 
the filling up of their sins always; and the 
wrath came upon them to the uttermost. 

17 But we, brethren, having been be- 
reft of you for a short season, in presence, 
not in heart, endeavored the more exceed- 
ingly to see your face, with great desire. 
18 Becaiise we wished to come to you, 
even I, Paul, both once and again; and 
Satan hindered us. 19 For what is our 
hope, or joy, or crown of glorying? Are 
not even ye, in the presence of our Lord 
Jesus at His coming? 20 For ye are our 
glory and joy. 



2 Or. burdensome. 



3 Or, of hearing. 



5 A semblance of covetousness; not the least tinge of 
personal greed. 

6 Able to be in authority; to -exercise authority over 
you. especially in requiring a support at your hands. 

8 Our own souls; our lives. He was so concerned for 
their welfare, that he was willing, if need he. to lay down 
his life for them, (I John 3:16). 

9 Our labor and toil; referring to his labor for his own 
support. 

15 Contrary to all men; scorning the gentiles, and hat- 
ing the Jews who believed in Christ. 



16 To speak to the gentiles; to preach the Gospel to the 
gentiles. For the filling up of their sins; in their opposi- 
tion to the Gospel, the Jews were filling the measure of 
their iniquity, and were calling upon themselves the ven- 
geance of the Almighty— which culminated a few years 
later in the utter destruction of Jerusalem, and the loss of 
many Jewish lives, under the Roman general, Titus. 

18 Satan hindered us; using the agency of wicked m^n. 
Satan has far more power than is usually supposed. 

20 Those whom the faithful servants of God win to 
Christ will contribute to their joy at the coming of Christ 



CHAPTEE III. 

1 Wherefore, when no longer able to 
endure^ it, we were well pleased to be 
left behind at Athens alone, 2 and sent 
Timothy, our brother and minister of God 
in the Gospel of Christ, to establish you, 
and to exhort you concerning your faith; 
3 that no one should be shaken in these 
tribulations; for ye yourselves know that 
for this we are appointed. 4 For even 



Or. concealing. 



when we were with you, we told you be- 
forehand, "We are about to suffer tribu- 
lation"; even as also it came to pass, and 
ye know. 5 For this reason, I also, no 
longer enduring it, sent, that I might 
know your faith, lest by some means the 
tempter tempted you, and our labor should 
be in vain. 

6 But, Timothy having just now come 
to us from you, and having brought us 
good tidings of your faith and love, and 
that ye have good remembrance of us at 



NOTES ON CHAPTER III. 

3 Shaken in these tribulations; shaken from their faith 
by the pressure of the trials that had come upon them 



:For this we are appointed; that is. they were appointed to 
endure trials, persecutions, tribulations, etc., as a part of 
their mission. 
5 The tempter; Satan. Tempted you; to reject Christ, 



300 



I. THESSALONIANS 



all times, longing to see us, as we also to 
see you — 7 for this reason, brethren, we 
were comforted over you, in all our tribu- 
lation and distress, through your faith; 8 
because now we live, if ye stand fast in 
the Lord. 9 For what thanksgiving can 
we render again to God concerning you 
for all the joy wherewith we rejoice on 
your account before our God; 10 night 
and day praying exceedingly that we may 



see your face, and perfect the deficiencies 
in your faith ? 

11 Now may our God and Father Him- 
self, and our Lord Jesus, direct our way 
to you; 12 and may the Lord make you 
increase and abound in love toward one 
another, and toward all, as we also do to- 
ward you, 13 to the end that He may es- 
tablish your hearts unblamable in holiness 
before our God and Father, at the coming 
of our Lord Jesus with all His saints. 



8 We live, if ye stand fast in the Lord; our lite is tied up. 
as it were, in your spiritual -welfare, (see oh. 3:19. 20), If 
pastors generally felt sucti interest, as Paul did, in the 
spiritual welfare of the people of their charges, we would 
see a much higher type of Christianity, than is presented 
at the present day. (see Col. 1 :28. 29 ) 

10 Perfect the deficiencies in your faith; whatever they 
may he. This may mean, either what was lacking in their 
knowledge of the doctrines of Christ, and the provisions of 
His grace; or it may have reference to their capability of 
believing the word and promises of God. Probably, he had 
reference to the former; or he may have had reference to 
both. 



12 Increase and abound in love; this is the supreme need 
to-day. O that the professed people of God. and those who 
are His children, might have an increase and an overflow- 
ing of love toward one another, and toward all menl 

13 XfnhlameaUe in holiness; so that no fault could be 
found in them, even before God. This blessed state can be 
reached by no experience less than a personal Pentecost 
that is sustained from moment to moment, whereby Christ 
is made real and unspeakably blessed to the believer. At 
the coming of our Lord Jesus with all His saints; this is not 
His coming into the air /or His saints, but His subsequent 
coming to the earth with them. 



CHAPTER IV. 

1 Finally, brethren, we beseech and ex- 
hort you in the Lord Jesus, that, as ye re- 
ceived from us how ye ought to walk, and 
please God — even as ye also are walking — 
that ye abound more and more; 2 for ye 
know what charges we gave you through 
the Lord Jesus. 3 For this is the will 
of God — even your sanctification, that ye 
abstain from fornication; 4 that each one 
of you know how to possess his own ves- 
sel in sanctification and honor; 5 not in 
passion of desire, even as the gentiles, 
who know not God; 6 that he go not be- 
yond and gain an advantage over his 
brother in the matter; because the Lord 
is an avenger of all these things, as we also 
told you before, and solemnly testified 
7 For God did not call us unto unclean- 
ness, but in sanctification. 8 Therefore, 
indeed, he that rejects, rejects not man 
but God, "Who giveth His Holy Spirit to 
.you. 



9 But concerning brotherly love, ye 
have no need that / write to you; for ye 
yourselves are taught by God to love one 
another; 10 and, in fact, ye do it to all 
the brethren who at^e in all Macedonia; 
but we exhort you, brethren, to abound 
yet more; 11 and to make it your aim to 
be quiet, and to do your own business, and 
to work with your own hands, as we 
charged you; 12 that ye walk becomingly 
towards those without, and that ye may 
have need of nothing. 

13 But we do not wish you to be igno- 
rant, brethren, concerning those falling 
asleep, that ye sorrow not even as the rest 
who have no hope; 14 for, if we believe 
that Jesus died and rose again, so also 
those who fell asleep in ^ Jesus will God 
bring with Him. 15 For this we say to 
you, in a word of the Lord, that we, the 
living who remain over to the coming of 
the Lord, shall in nowise precede those 



1 Gr. Through. 



NOTES ON CHAPTER IV. 

3 This is the will of God, your sanctification; it is God's 
will that our bodies, as well as our souls and spirits, 
should be holy. Our bodies are temples of the Holy 
Spirit; and, if we would have holy bodies, wc should let 
the Holy Spirit have them to occupy as His temple. 

4 Possess his own vessel; regard and treat his body as 
the work and property of God. and as a habitation of God 
in the Spirit, (Eph. 2:22). 

12 That ye walk becomingly; in an honorable and reputa- 
ble manner. Those w<Ao«<; unbelievers. Need of noth- 



ing; nothing that is needful for support, comfort, or use- 
fulness. 

13 Asleep;, those dying in union with Christ. This is 
called sleep, not death, 

14 Will God bring with Sim; He will raise from the 
dead those who have fallen asleep in Jesus, and these with 
those who are alive at His coming, will appear with Him 
in glory, (I Cor. 15:51-52). 

15 We, the living; when the Lord shall come in the air 
for His bride. Will not precede; or rise to meet the Lord 
till those who sleop in Jesus shall bs r.*ise-l from the dead. 



I. THESSALONIANS 



301 



who fell asleep; 16 because the Lord 
Himself will descend from Heaven, with 
a shout, with a voice of an archangel, and 
with a trumpet of God; and the dead in 
Christ shall rise first; 17 after that we, 



the living who are left over, will be caught 
up together with them in clouds, into tTie 
air, to meet the Lord; and so shall we al- 
ways be with the Lord. 18 So then, com- 
fort one another with these words. 



16 The dead in, Christ shall rise Jirst; before the living 
are changed, or caught up. 

17 Afler that; after the dead in Christ have been raised. 
We. the living; -we who are alive at the time of His com- 
ing, and are ready to meet Him. Will be cauaht up to- 
gether with them; the living saints, and those raised from 
the dead will be caught up together. To vieet the Lord; 



literally, for a meeting of the Lord. So shall me always be 
with the Lord; be always in His presence, but not always 
in the air. Near the close of the tribulation, Christ will 
come down to the earth, having His saints with Him, 
(Zech. 14:5). Then He will destroy the armies of the 
beast and false prophet. (Rev, 19:19-21), and inaugurate 
His Millennial reign, (Rev. 30:1-4). 



CHAPTER V. 

1 But, concerning the times and the sea 
sons, brethren, ye have no need that aught 
be written to you; 2 for ye yourselves 
know accurately that the day of the Lord 
so comes as a thief at night. 3 "When they 
are saying, "Peace and safety," then sud- 
den destruction comes upon them, as trav- 
ail upon a woman with child; and they 
shall in nowise escape. 4 But ye, breth- 
ren, are not in darkness, that the day 
should overtake you as a thief; 5 for ye 
are all sons of light, and sons of day; we 
are not of night, nor of darkness. 6 So 
then, let us not sleep as do the rest, but 
let us watch and be sober. 7 For those 
who sleep sleep at night, and those who 
are drunken are drunken at night. 8 But 
let us, being of the day, be sober, having 
put on a breast-plate of faith and love; and, 
as a helmet, a hope of salvation; 9 be- 
cause Grod did not appoint us to wrath, 
but to the obtaining of salvation through 



our Lord Jesus Christ, 10 ^yho died for 
us, that, whether we watch or sleep, we 
may live together with Him. 11 Where- 
fore, exhort one another, and build up one 
another, as also ye do. 

12 And we beseech you, brethren, to 
know those who labor among you, and 

e over you in the Lord, and admonish 
3'ou; 13 and to esteem them very highly 
in love because of their work. Be at peace 
among yourselves. 14 And we exhort 
you, brethren, admonish the disorderly, 
encourage the faint-hearted,^ support the 
weak, be long-suffering toward all. 15 
See that no one render to any one evil for 
evil; but always pursue that which is good, 
toward one another, and toward all. 

16 Rejoice always; pray without ceas- 
ing. 17 In everj'thing give thanks; for 
this is God's will in Christ Jesus respect- 
ing you. 19 Quench not the Spirit. 20 
Despise not prophesyings; 21 but prove 



Or, those of little soul. 



NOTES ON CHAPTER V. 

1 The times and the seasons; pertaining to the Lord's 
second coming, of which he had been speaking above. No 
tieed that aught be rcritten to you; because they already 
knew. 

2 The day of the Loid; the day of His coming. As a 
thief at night; suddenly and unexpectedly. The time of 
Christ's return is left indefinite, that men may be watch- 
ing for it. and be ready at any time to meet Him. 

3 They; the wicked, who are living in false security. 
(Matt. 24:37-39.) 

4 Te are not in darkness; ye believers are not in sin and 
ignorance. Should overtake you; take you by surprise, as 
a thief does. 

6 Let us not sleep; live in carnal security, unmindful of 
their peril, and blinded by sin. 

7 These who sleep steep at night . . . drunken at night: as 
the night is the time when people sleep, and as the drunken 
choose the night as the period best suited to their debauch- 
eries ; so those who are living in sin, and in the night of 
spiritual darkness, abandon themselves to spiritual sleep 
and pollution. 



8 Breast-plate . . . helmet; see notes on Eph. 6:13-18. 

9 To the obtaining of salvation; as evinced in the fact 
that they had believed in Christ. 

10 Whether we watch or sleep; whether we be living or 
dead. 

13 Know those who labor among you; as ministers of the 
Gospel. Love and respect them highly. 

13 Because of their work; as preachers of the Gospel, 
and promoters of your good. 

14 Disorderly; those who disobey God's word. Faint- 
hearted; those easily discouraged. The weak; those weak 

faith. 

16 Bejoice always; in the Lord and His great salvation. 
The Lord is the Source of joy to His people. The joy 
comes from Him, and finds an outlet through the hearts 
of obedient, faithful disciples. 

19 Quench not the Spirit; by failing to do what He bids 
you. The unconverted resist the Spirit; the unconse- 
crated Christian grieves the Spirit, and the consecrated 
Christian may quench the Spirit. 

20 Prophesyings; see note on I Cor. 12:28. 

31 Prove all things; by comparing them with the Bible, 
the only standard of truth. 



I. THESSALONIANS 



all things, hold fast that which is good. 22 
Abstain from every form of evil. 23 And 
the God of peace Himself sanctify you 
wholly; and may your spirit and soul and 
body be preserved entire, without blame 
at the coming^ of our Lord Jesus Christ. 



2 Or, in the presence. 



24 Faithful -is He Who calleth you, Who 
also will do it. 

25 Brethren, pray for us. 

26 Salute all the brethren with a holy 
kiss. 27 I adjure you by the Lord that 
this letter be read to all the brethren. 

28 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ 
he with you. 



23 Sanctify you wholly; make you perfectly ho^y. May 
your whole spirit, soul, and body; man is composed of spirit, 
soul, and body. The spirit represents the God-sense or 
the Christ-life, which was given in regeneration. The 
soul represents the intellect, the affections, the natural 
life, or the natural self. The body is our physical being, 
with its natural appetites and passions. The body allies 
one to the animal creation; the soul, to the rational; and 
the spirit, to the moral. Preserved entire: kept sound, or 



complete in every part. Without blame at the coming of 
our Lord Jesus Christ; this is a very high standard, but the 
person who lives the Spirit-fllled life, and has Christ en- 
throned in his heart as the Ruler of his whole being, can 
be so kept. At the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ; when 
He comes for His bride. 

24 Who also will do it; God, Who has begun the sanctl- 
flcation of His people, will perfect it in His own way and 
time, if one yields all to Him, and obeys Him in all things, 

87 Be read to all the brethren; to all the members. 



— THE SECOND — 



EPISTLE TO THE THESSAEOl^^rAJSTS. 

The second ep-stle to the Thessalonians seems to have been written shortly after the first, and from the same 
Dlaoc-Corinth The main design of the epistle was to correct some misapprehensions they had received in regard to 
the second coming of the Lord ; and, in doing this, the apostle gives a very graphic view of the man of sin. and ex- 
horts them to fidelity and steadfastness amid all their trials. 

CONTENTS. 

I Opening salutation. (1:1.2). II. Correction of the error regarding the second advent. (1:3—11:1-16): (1) 
Thanksgiving (1-3 4); (2) Encouragement to endure their trials in view of the coming judgment (1:5-10). and prayer, 
a-ll 12)- (3) The advent must be preceded by the appearance of •' the man of sin " (11:1-5). the restraining power 
must be removed (11:6,7), the lawless one and his followers destroyed (11:8-12; Rev, 19:19-21; Zech 14:12-15).; (4) 
TTiirthpr exhortation and prayer, (11:13-17). III. Practical. (HI: 1-16) : (1) Prayer for himself and the Thessalonians. 
mi:^5)? (Tlnst^uclionftoth^ (111:6-15). and prayer. (111:16); (3) Conclusion. (111:17, 18). 



II. 

THESSAEOlNXAJSrS. 

CHAPTER I. 

1 Paul, and Sylvanus, and Timothy, to 
the assembly of the Thessalonians, in God 
our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: 2 
grace to you, and peace, from God the 
Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 3 We 
ought to thank God always for you, breth- 
ren, as it is meet, because your faith is 
growing exceedingly, and the love of each 
one of you abounds toward one another; 
4 so that we ourselves glory in you in the 
assemblies of God, for your patience and 
faith in all your persecutions and tribula- 
tions which ye endure; 5 a proof of the 
righteous judgment of God, to the end 
that ye may be accounted worthy of the 
Kingdom of God, for which ye also suffer; 
6 since it is a righteous thing with God to 
recompense tribulation to those who cause 



NOTES ON CHAPTER I. 

5 A proof; their patience and faith, amid their sore 
persecutions and tribulations, furnish proof that a right- 
eous judgment would reward them and punish their foes. 
That ye may be accounted worthy: this is the result of the 
righteous judgment of God in behalf of all who patiently 
suffer for Christ's salie. 

7 Belief; God will recompense tribulation to those who 
cause His people tribulation; and He will recompense re 
lief or rest to the persecuted. At the revelation of th( 
Lord Jesus from Heaven; when He comes with His saints 
and mighty angels, to destroy His enemies, and establish 
His rule on the earth. This seems to refer to the judg- 
ment of the nations during the establishing and continu- 
ance of the Millennial reign; but it probably includes, 
also, the White Throne Judgment in Rev. 20:11-15. 

9 Everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, 
their destruction is not annihilation, but eternal separa- 



you tribulation; 7 and to you who suffer 
tribulation, relief with us, at the revela- 
tion of the Lord Jesus from Heaven with 
the angels of His power, in flaming fire,' 
8 awarding vengeance to those who know 
not God, and to those who obey not 
the Gospel of our Lord Jesus; 9 who, 
indeed, shall pay a penalty, eternal de- 
struction from the presence of the Lord 
and from the glory of His might, 10 
when He shall come to be glorified in His 
saints, and to be marveled at in all who 
believed (because our testimony to you 
was believed), in that day. 11 To which 
end we also pray for you always, that our 
God may account you worthy of your call- 
ing, and fulfill all the good pleasure of 
His goodness and work of faith, with" 
power; 12 that the name of our Lord 
Jesus may be glorified in you, and ye in 
Him, according to the grace of our God 
and Lord Jesus Christ. 



Gr, In fire of flame. 2 Gr. In. 



tion from God, and the endurance of the sufferings that 
result from unpardoned sin, (Rev, 20:15; Matt. 25:41, 46), 

10 Marveled at in all who believed; all believers who are 
transformed into the image of Christ will be marveled at 
because of the developed life of Christ in them. It is 
Christ, however, that is the attraction; Christ in His dis- 
ciples. In that day; the day of His coming and reign. 

1 1 Fulfill all the good pleasure of His goodness; in carry- 
ing forward the work of sanctiflcation in them, and per- 
fecting them in His likeness. The work of faith; that is, 
perfect their faith, which, also, is a mighty work of God. 
Some think that the apostle meant to say that God would 
accomplish all their (the Thessalonians) desire for good- 
ness and work of faith; but this seems tame, compared 
with the view above, which makes God's good pleasure 
the measure of their blessedness, rather than that of the 
Thessalonians themselves. 

12 Be glorified in you, and you in Him; in your being 
made like Him, and in your promoting His glory, and in 
occupying your proper places in the world of bliss. 



CHAPTER n. 
1 Now we request you, brethren, 



garding the coming of our Lord Jesus 
Christ, and our gathering together to Him, 



304 



II. THESSALONIANS 



2 that ye be not quickly shaken from your 
mind, nor be troubled, either by spirit, or 
by word, or by letter as from us, as that 
the day of the Lord has set ' in. 3 Let no 
one deceive you in any manner; because 
that day will not come, unless the falling 
away come first, and the man of lawlessness ^ 
be revealed — the son of perdition; 4 he 
that opposes himself against, and exalts 
himself above, all that is called God, or 
that is worshiped; so that he sits in the 
temple of God, exhibiting himself as God. 
5 Do ye not remember that, when I was 
yet with you, I was wont to tell you these 
things ? 6 And now ye know what hinders 
his being revealed in his own season; 7 
for the mystery of lawlessness is already 
working: only He Who hinders will hin- 
der, until He is taken out of the midst. 8 
And then shall be revealed the lawless one, 
whom the Lord Jesus will slay with the 
breath of His mouth, and will bring to 
nought by the manifestation of His pres- 
ence; 9 him whose coming is according 
to the working of Satan in all power and 



signs and lying wonders, and in all deceit of 
unrighteousness to those who perish; be- 
cause they received not the love of the 
truth, that they might be saved. 11 And, 
for this cause, God sendeth them a work- 
ing of delusion, that they may believe the 
lie; 13 that they all may be judged,^ who 
believe not the truth, but had pleasure in 
unrighteousness. 

13 But we ought to give thanks to God 
always for you, brethren, beloved by the 
Lord; because God, from the beginning, 
chose you to salvation, in sanctification of 
the Spirit and belief of truth; 14 unto 
which He called you through our Gospel, 
to an obtaining of the glory of our Lord 
Jesus Christ. 15 So, then, brethren, 
stand fast, and held the instructions which 
ye were taught, whether through speech, 
or through letter of ours. 

16 Now our Lord Jesus Christ Himself, 
and God our Father Who loved us and 
gave us eternal consolation and good hope 
in grace, 17 comfort your hearts, and 
establish you in every good work and 
word. 



Ot, is Junt at hand. 2 Some Mss. read. S)"n. 



Or, 



NOTES ON CHAPTER II. 

2 Si/ spirit; by any pretended revelation from" God. 

3 The falling away; an apostasy from the truth, as -wit- 
nessed in Catholicism— both Boman and Greek. The man 
of lawlessness; yet to arise; not a system, but a man, 
summing-up in himself all the iniquities of the past, and 
clothed -with the -wisdom and po-wer of Satan. (Rev. 13:2-6: 
19:19,20; Dan, 8:23-25; 9:27). It seems impossible to ex- 
plain these statements as referring to a system. 

6 ^yhat hinders; many are the guesses as to -what it is 
that hinders. That hypothesis seems to have the prefer- 
ence, -which considers that the Holy Spirit is the hinder- 
ing agency here referred to. After the rapture (I Thess. 
4:15-18; Rev. 12:5). Satan -will be thrust do-wn to the earth 
(Rev. 12:9), and soon after this " the man of la-wlessness " 
-will be developed; the restraining power of the Holy 
Spirit being -withdra-wn after the rapture. 

7 The mystery of iniquity; the diabolical spirit that -was 
■working in men even in the days of Paul, and has been 
-working ever since. 

8 Then; after the rapture and the -withdra-wal of the 
restraining po-wer of the Holy Spirit, Revealed; "the 
la-wless one." the anti Christ, -will be revealed shortly 



after the rapture, as Satan -will have opportunity tor a lit- , 
tie -while to display his po-wer on the earth. 

9 Signs and lying wonders; Satan has power to work 
mighty signs and wonders now; but. when the restraining 
power of the Spirit is withdra-wn. he will do vastly more. 
(Rev. 13:13-15), working through his two agents, "the 
beast " and " the false prophet." 

10 Because they received not the love of the truth; it is a 
refusal to receive the truth in the love of it, that brings 
upon men eternal ruin. 

11 For this cause; because they do not accept the truth. 
A working of delusion; an evil spirit that guides them 
into error, and deludes them. 

12 May he judged; and condemned to a just punishment. 

13 Chose you to salvation, in sanctification of the Spirit 
andhelief of truth; God chooses his people to salvation, 
and He chooses the way also— "in sanctification of the 
Spirit and belief of truth." The Spirit is the Agent Who 
sanctifies believers, but In connection -with their belief of 
the truth. 

14 Unto which; salvation as described above. 

15 The instructions; which the apostle had given them 
in his personal ministry and writing. 



CHAPTER HI. 
1 Finally, brethren, pray for us, that 
the word of the Lord may run and be glo- 
rified, as also it is with you; 2 and that 



we may be delivered from unreasonable 
and evil men; for not all have the faith. 
3 But the Lord is faithful. Who will es- 
tablish you, and guard you from the evil 



NOTES ON CHAPTER III. 
1 Bun; -without hindrance or opposition. Be olorined, 
by the display of the divine power in the salvation and ed- 
ification of believers. 



5 Eave not the faith; the faith that accepts the (Jospel. 
Many reject it, and oppose those who believe it. 

3 The Lord is faithful; He will keep all His promises, 
and may always be trusted. 



n. THESSALONIANS 



305 



one. 4 And we have become confident in 
the Lord regarding you, that ye both do, 
and will do, the things which we com- 
mand. 5 And the Lord guide your hearts 
into the love of God, and into the patience 
of Christ. 

6 Now we command you, brethren, in 
the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, to 
withdraw yourselves from every brother 
walking disorderly, and not according to 
the instruction which ye received from us. 
7 For ye yourselves know that ye should 
imitate us; because we were ftot disor- 
derly among you; 8 nor did we eat any 
one's bread, gratuitously; but, in labor 
and toil, working night and day, that we 
might not be burdensome to any of you; 
9 not because we have not authority, but 
that we might give ourselves as a model to 
you, that ye might imitate us. 10 For, 
even when we were with you, this we com- 
manded you, "If anyone is not willing to 
work, neither let him eat." 11 For we 



hear of some who walk among you in a 
disorderly manner, who work not at all, but 
are busybodies. 12 Now such we com- 
mand and exhort in the Lord Jesus Christ, 
that, working with quietness, they eat 
their own bread. 

13 But ye, brethren, be not weary in 
well-doing. 14 And, if anyone obey not 
our word through this' letter, note this 
one, not to associate with him, that he 
may be ashamed. 15 And regard him 
not as an enemy, but admonish him as a 
brother. 

16 Now the Lord of peace Himself give 
you peace always, in every way. The 
Lord be with you all. 

17 The salutation of Paul with my own 
hand, which is a sign in every letter; so I 
write. 

18 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ 
he with you all. 



Gr. The. 



& In a disorder!!/ manner; not accordinsf to the teach- 
ings of the word, as taught by the apostle and other di- 
vinely appointed teachers. 

9 Authority; right, or power, according to the Gospel. 
Amodel; for their imitation, in being ready to work, in 
any way God might appoint, to supply their personal 
needs. 

10 Neither let him eat; a man who will not work should 
not live on another's earnings. 

11 Busybodies; those who neglect their own business. 
and concern themselves in the affairs of others. 



15 Begard him not as an enemy, but admonish him as a 
other; the principle here set forth is full of wisdom. 
The disorderly and wayward believer is not to be treated 
as an enemy, though, as in v. 14, we may be required to 
withdraw our companionship from him; yet we are not to 
treat him as an enemy, but admonish, reprove, rebuke, 
and correct him, as the facts may require; and all this 
with the view of correcting his disorderly walk. 

17 Which is a sign: or mark by which the epistle may be 
known to be from me. 



— THE FIRST — 

EPISTLE TO TIMOTHY. 



The epistles to Timothy and Titus are known as pastoral epistles, because they treat so fully on the duties of 
the pastor. It is not known at just what time this epistle was written, though it appears most likely that it was 
written after his first imprisonment at Rome, in A. D. 6i; and about the year A. D., 65, or possibly a little later. 

CONTENTS. 

1. Salutation, (1:1.2). 2. Personal admonition to Timothy, (1:3, 4). 3. Uses of the law, false teachers, (I: 
5-10). 4. Paul entrusted with the Gospel, (1:11-17). 5. Directions for public prayer, (11:1-8). 6. Directions for the 
deportment of women, (11:9-15). 7. Qualifications of bishops, overseers, or pastors, (111:1-7). 8. Qualifications of 
deacons, (111:8-13). 9. The Christian's creed, (111:14-16). 10. False teachers, and false teachings, (IV:l-5). 11. 
HowTimothy is to conduct himself, (IV :6-16). 12. How to treat widows, (V:2-16). 13. Elders, ('V:17-19). 14. Serv- 
ants. (VI: 1, 2). 15. Heresy and covetousness, (VI :3-10). 16. The rich, (VI: 17, 18). 17. Final charge, (VI:20, 21). 



I. TIMOTHY. 

CHAPTER I. 

1 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus ac- 
cording to a command of God our Savior 
and Christ Jesus our Hope, 2 to Timo- 
thy, a true child in faith: grace, mercy, 
peace, from God our Father, and Jesus 
Christ our Lord. 

3 As I exhorted you to continue in 
Ephesus, when I was journeying into Mac- 
edonia, that you might charge certain 
ones not to teach a different doctrine, 4 
nor to give heed to fables and endless ge- 
nealogies; which, indeed, occasion dis- 
putes rather than God's dispensation, 
which is in faith, so do I now. 5 But the 
end of the charge is love out of a pure 
heart and a good conscience and of 
faith unfeigned; 6 which some having 
missed turned aside to vain talk; 7 wish 
ing to be teachers of the law, under 
standing neither what they say, nor where 
of they confidently affirm. 8 But we 
know that the law is good, if one use it 



lawfully; 9 knowing this, that law is not 
enacte(i for a righteous man, but for 
lawless and unruly ones^ for ungodly and 
sinful, for unholy and profane, for patri- 
cides, and matricides, for man-slayers, 10 
for fornicators, for sodomites,* for man- 
stealers, for liars, for false swearers; and 
whatever else is contrary to healthful 
teaching; 11 according to the Gospel of 
the glory of the Blessed God, with which I 
was entrusted. 

12 I have thanks for Him Who empow- 
ered me, Christ Jesus our Lord, because 
He accounted me faithful, putting me into 
His service, 13 though formerly I was 
a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and inju- 
rious; but I obtained mercy, because I, 
being ignorant, did it in unbelief; 14 
and the grace of our Lord abounded ex- 
ceedingly with faith and love which is in 
Christ Jesus. 15 Faithful is the saying, 
and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ 
Jesus came into the world to save sinners; 
of whom I am chief; 16 but for this 



Those who abuse themselves with i 



NOTES ON CHAPTER I. 

2 A true child; Paul was Timothy's spiritual father, in 
the sense that he won him to Christ through the Gospel 

3 A different doctrine; different from what Paul had 
taught, 

4 Fables; called "old wives 'fables," (ch. 4i7); and "Jew- 
ish fables," (Titus 1:14). The apostle had reference to 
the absurd legends that abounded among the Jews at that 
time. Endless genealoaies; by which he probably meant 
the Jewish record, or geneological tables by which they 
endeavored to show their relationship to Abraham. ^Vhich 
occasion disputes; lead to empty discussions, and profit- 
less wranglings. Sather than God's dispensation; these 
endless genealogies did not further the Gospel in any 
sense, but were a great obstacle in the way of it. 

5 The end of the charge: that which it is designed to 
promote. The word charge, in this connection, alludes to 
the charge in v. 3, where Timothy was instructed to charo( 
certain ones. The design of this was to promote true god 
liness in those for whom he was laboring, which is love 
out of a pure heart. 



6 Some having missed; failed to get true Christianity. 
Vain talk; empty, profitless words. 

8 Lawfully; according to the real import of the word. 

9 Law is not enacted for a righteous man: such a man is 
a law to himself; but it is enacted to curb all grades of 
wicked-doers, and lead men to see their sins, and turn 
from them. 

10 Contrary to healthful teaching; opposed to the doc- 
trines of the Gospel. 

12 Accounted me faithful; and hence worthy, through 
His grace, to preach the Gospel of salvation. 

13 Injurious; hurtful to others, in punishing them for 
their avowal of the name of Christ, or causing them to 
deny Jesus. 

1 1 The grace of the Lord; the grace that led so vile a 
sinner to repentance. Vfith faith and love; faith and love 
are attendants and fruits of divine grace. ^Vhich is in 
Christ Jesus; both love and faith have Christ as their 
source, and those who are in vital union with Christ have 
love and faith. 



I. TIMOTHY 



307 



I obtained mercy, that in me, as 
chief, Christ Jesus might show forth all 
His longsuflering for an example to those 
about to believe on Him unto eternal life. 
17 Now to the King of the ages, incorrup- 
tible, invisible, only God, he honor and 
glory forever and ever. Amen. 

18 This charge I commit to you, child 
Timothy, according to the prophecies go- 



ing before^ in respect to you, that you 
may war with these the noble warfare; 
19 holding faitli, and a good conscience, 
which some having thrust from them made 
shipwreck concerning the faith; 20 of 
whom is HymentEus and Alexander, whom 
I delivered up to Satan, that they might 
be taught^ not to blaspheme. 



3 Or, leading on to 1 



Or. taught hy discipline. 



16 For an example; for encouragement to the vilest sin- 
ners to turn to Christ for salvation. If God could save 
such a sinner as Saul of Tarsus, no sinner need despair, 
while on mercy's side of eternity. 

18 This charge; the directions in this letter. Prophe- 
cies; prophecies, most likely, of some of the early Chris- 
tians, bearing on the ministry of Timothy. With these: 
with these prophecies; using them as an inspiration in all 
his work. War the noble loarfare; being obedient, faith- 
ful, and zealous in the service of his Captain, contending 
heroically against all the hosts of Satan. 

19 Holding faith, and a good conscience; holding these 



as invaluable possessions. Faith here probably has refer- 
ence to the believing faculty of the inner man; and one 
who trifles with his conscience will soon find himself ship- 
wrecked as to the faith— i. e.. unable to believe the doc- 
trines of the Gospel. 

20 Delivered up to Satan; Satan is ready to seize a 
Christian, and afflict him in various ways. The apostle, 
under the inspiration of the Spirit, delivered up these two 
persons, not to be eternally lost, but to be saved, through 
the severity of their sufferings administered to them by 
Satan. The hope was, that they would see their sins, and 
confess them, and be saved. Satan has a wonderful min- 
istry in connection with the discipline of Christians. 



CHAPTER H. 

1 I exhort, therefore, first of all, that 
supplications, prayers, intercessions, 
thanksgivings, be made for all men; 2 for 
kings, and all who are in high • position, 
that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life 
in all godliness and gravity. 3 This Os- 
good, and acceptable in the sight of God 
our Savior, 4 Who wisheth all men to be 
saved, and to come into a full knowledge 
of truth. 5 For there is one God, one 
Mediator also between God and men, a 
Man, Christ Jesus, 6 Who gave Himself 
a ransom for all, the testimony for its own 
times, 7 whereunto I was appointed a 
preacher and an apostle (I speak truth, I 
lie not), a teacher of gentiles in faith and 



truth. 8 I desire, therefore, that the men 
pray in every place, lifting up holy hands, 
without wrath and disputing; 9 in like 
manner, that women adorn themselves in 
becoming apparel, with modesty and so- 
briety, not with braided Aaw', and gold, or 
pearls, or costly raiment, 10 but (which 
becomes women professing godliness) 
through good works. 11 Let a woman in 
quietness learn in all subjection. 12 But 
I permit not a woman to teach, nor to have 
dominion over a man, but to be in quiet- 
ness. 13 For Adam first was formed, then 
Eve. 14 And Adam was not deceived; 
but the woman, being deceived, has fallen 
into transgression. 15 But she shall be 
saved through her child-bearing, if they 
abide in faith, and love, and holiness, with 
sobriety. 



NOTES ON CHAPTER II. 

1 First of all; first in importance. 

2 High position; as public ofacers. That we may lead a 
tranquil and quid life; as a result of the good government 
brought about through their supplications, prayers, etc. 

3 For this; this interest in rulers. 

4 Who wvihethalltohesaved; by embracing the Gospel ; 
and the godly lives of Christians, connected with their 
prayers for others, conduces largely to their salvation, 

5, 6 For there is one God, and one Mediator, this is given 
as a reason for the preceding exhortation, and the decla- 
ration that He wishes all to be saved. A Mediator; one 
who represents the interests of two parties. Jesus Christ 
in His two-fold nature, as God-Man, represents the inter- 
ests of God and man. And this He is able to do, because 
He had given Himself a Ba?isom— his own life— to redeem 
sinners from under the curse of the law. A testimony for 
its own times; this doctrine of redemption through the vi- 
carious sufferings of the Messiah had been but dimly fore- 



shadowed in prophecy and in many of the sacrifices oflered 
by the priests ; but now. when the apostle was writing, it 
was made public in its own time. 

8 Without wrath or disputing; which hinder prayer, and 
are incompatible with holiness. 

9 Costly raiment; that nurses pride. All needless adorn- 
ing and extravagant dress are unbecoming a woman pro- 
fessing godliness. 

12 I permit not a woman to teach; this must be taken 
with many limitations, else it will violate other Scriptures. 
Some women are called to win souls, and to edify Chris- 
tians; and this implies teaching and unfolding the word. 
Nor to have dominion over a man; woman is not to lord it 
over her husband; but. if she knows the truth, she may 
teach it to him. Man is the head, and woman is his help- 
meet. 

1 4 Adam was not deceived; but he ate with his eyes open ; 
and hence his was the greater sin. 

15 She shall be saved through child-bearing; those who 
appropriate this promise, receive wonderful benefit. 



I. TIMOTHY 



CHAPTER HI 

1 Faithful is the saying, "If anyone de- 
sires the office of bishop/ he covets a no- 
ble work." 2 It is needful, therefore, 
that the bishop be irreproachable, a hus- 
band of one wife, temperate, sober-minded, 
orderly, hospitable, apt to teach, 3 not 
given to wine, not a striker, but gentle, 
not contentious, not a lover of money, 4 
presiding well over his own house, having 
his children in subjection with all gravity 
(5 but, if one knows not how to preside 
over his own house, how will he take care 
of an assembly of God?); 6 not a novice; 
lest, being puffed up, he fall into condem- 
nation of the Devil. 7 And it is needful 
also that he have an honorable testimony 
from those without, lest he fall into re- 
proach and a snare of the Devil. 

8 It is needful that deacons, in like 
manner, be grave, not double-tongued, 
not addicted to much wine, not greedy of 
base gain; 9 holding the mystery of the 



faith in a pure conscience. 10 But let 
these also first be proved; then let them 
serve as deacons, being without reproach. 
11 It is needful that their wives, in like 
manner, be grave, not slanderers, sober, 
faithful in all things. 12 Let deacons be 
husbands of one wife, presiding well over 
their own children and their own houses. 
13 For those serving well as deacons ac- 
quire for themselves a noble standing, and 
great boldness in the faith which is in 
Christ Jesus. 

14 These things I write to you, hoping 
to come to you shortly; 15 but, if I de- 
lay, that you may know how you ought to 
behave yourself in a house of God, which, 
indeed, is an assembly of the living God, 
a pillar and basis of the truth, 16 And, 
confessedly, great is the mystery of god- 
liness; God^ was manifested in flesh, was 
justified in the Spirit, was seen by angels, 
preached among the gentiles, believed on 
in the world, taken up in glory. 



Or. overseer. 



1 Some Mss. give " Who. 



NOTES ON CHAPTER III. 

1 A bishop; an overseer or pastor of an assembly. 

2 Irreproachable; in his conduct and habits. A husband 
of one wife; not a bigamist or polygamist. 

3 Not a lover of money; not using his office to extort 
money from people. 

4 Presiding well over his own house; having his children 
all in due subjection, and all his domestic affairs in proper 
condition. 

6 A novice; one recently converted, who had not suffi- 
cient time to acquire knowledge necessary to the minis- 
terial office. TTall into condemnation of the Devil; as a re- 
sult of his pride. The thought seems to be that those who 
are responsible for putting men into the. ministry ought, 
for the sake of the novice himself, not to put him in the 
office. 

7 An honorable testimony : a good report, resulting from 
bis honorable lite and blameless conduct. 

8 Grave; dignified and decorous in deportment. Not 
iouble-tongued; talking different ways to different parties. 
Dr talking one way and acting another. 

9 Tlie mystery of the faith; the doctrines of the Gospel, 
which are addressed to faith, and containing the mystery 
of the incarnation, vicarious sufferings, and regeneration 
of the Spirit, etc. 

10 Proved; tried as to their qualifications and fitness 
for the office. 

U Their wives be grave; dignified, and suited as a help- 
meet in the work of the deaconshlp. A wild, unconsecrated. 



or selfish woman is not fit to be the wife of a deacon; nov 
is it safe to appoint to the office a man who has such a 
wife. 

13 AcQuire a noble standing; one who performs well the 
office of deacon acquires a noble standing, or fine reputa- 
tion as a Christian. G9-eat boldness in the faith; Stephen 
and Philip were fine illustrations of the boldness which a 
Spirit-filled deacon may display in testifying to the 
truth, and in setting forth the Gospel. 

15 That you may know how you ought to behave; this 
clause is to be connected back to the words. "I write." 
This letter was designed to teach Timothy how to manage 
the interests of the assembly over which he presided; giv- 
ing special directions as to the character of persons that 
should be Inducted into the office of bishop, and that of 
deacon. Pillar and basis of the truth; a pillar is that 
which supports all that rests upon it; and a basis, or 
foundation, is that upon which the structure rests; so a 
true assembly is the foundation and support of the Gos 
pel of Christ: and such an assembly stands for and sup- 
ports the whole Gospel in all Its provisions for spirit, 
soul, and body, 

16 Mystery of godliness; the mystery of the incarnation 
of Christ in flesh, with what follows. Manifested in nesh; 
see John 1:14. Justified in the Spirit; the Spirit rested 
upon Him in power. Some understand "in spirit " as re- 
ferring to the spirit of Christ as a man; but the other 
view seems preferable. Taken up in glory; where He now 
interceeds for His people. (Heb. 7:25). 



CHAPTER IV. 
1 But the Spirit expressly saith, that in 



later times, some will fall away from the 
faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and 



NOTES ON CHAPTER IV. 



1 'Fall away from the faith; or apostatize from the 
truth of the Gospel. Teachings of demons; there are count 



less demons subordinate to Satan, and these are ready to 
teach people their false and ruinous doctrines; such as 
those found now among Theosophlsts. Spiritists. Chris- 
tian Scientists, etc. 



I. TIMOTHY 



309 



to teachings of demons, 2 in hypocrisy 
of men speaking lies, branded in their 
own conscience with a hot iron; 3 forbid- 
ding to marry, and coimnaiidhig to ab- 
stain from foods, which God created for 
reception with thanksgiving by those who 
believe and have full knowledge of the 
truth. 4 Because every creature of God 
is good, and nothing is to he rejected, 
when it is received with thanksgiving; for 
it is sanctified through the word of God 
and intercession. 

6 Suggesting these things to the breth- 
ren, you will be a good minister of Christ 
Jesus, nourished in the words of the faith 
and of the good teaching which you have 
strictly followed; 7 but refuse the pro- 
fane and old wives' fables, and exercise 
yourself unto godliness; 8 for bodily ex- 
ercise is profitable for a little ; ^ but godli- 
ness is profitable for all things, having 



promise of the life which is present and 
that to come. 9 Faithful is the saying, 
and worthy of all acceptance. 10 For to 
this end we labor and strive, because we 
have set our hope on the living God, Who 
is Savior of all men, especially of believ- 
ers. 11 These things command and teach. 
12 Let no one despise your youth; but be- 
come a model for believers, in speech, in 
conduct, in love, in faith, in purity. 13 
Until I come, give heed to the reading, to 
the exhortation, to the teaching. 14 Neg- 
lect not the gift that is in you, which was 
given you through prophecy, with laying 
en of the hands of the eldership. 

15 Attend to these things; give^ your- 
self wholly to them; that your progress 
may be manifest to all. 16 Take heed to 
yourself, and to the teaching; continue in 
them; for, doing this, you will save both 
yourself and those who hear you. 



1 Or, for little While. 



2 Speaking lies; the Greek construction refers this 
" Speaking lies " to the demons; hut, as they spake through 
men, it is thought proper to supply "of men"; and this 
seems the more proper, as we can scarcely conceive of 
wicked spirits as having their conscience branded with a 
hot iron, seeing that they give no proof of having a con- 
science. This seems clearly to refer to men who have 
had their conscience blunted by their wickedness, so that 
now it serves as no restraint to them. I 

3 Forhidding to marry; this has found a fulfillment in 
Catholicism, in forbidding the clergy to marry. To abstain 
from foods; as, on many occasions papists do. 

4 Every creature ; that God has made for food is good 
for food, and not to be rejected, but is to be eaten with 
gratitude. 

5 It is sanctified; to him who eats it. so that it does not 
defile or injure him. By the word of Ood; authorizing it to 
be eaten as food. Intercession; which brings God's bless- 
ing upon it. 

6 Suggesting these things; brinring these things to the 
consideration of the brethren. 

7 Refuse the prof ane and old wives' fables; see note on 
ch. 1:4. These were not only profitless, but harmful 
stories. 

8 Bodily exercise is profitable for a little; referring prob- 
ably to the bodily discipline of fasting. Or it may refer, 
possibly, to the bodily exercise or training to which the 
athletes subjected themselves— which viewed as a physical 
exercise, was not profitless to the body; but this was, at 
most, small, when compared with spiritual discipline. 
Oodliness is profitable ; in a higher sense, and for both time 
and eternity. 



9 Faithful is the saying; " that godliness is profitable," 
(V. 8). 

10 For to this end; that we may realize the fruits of 
godliness, and have the same developed in the lives of 
others. Savior of all men; in having provided salvation 
for all. Especially of those who believe; because by these 
alone His salvation is accepted and realized. 

1 Command and teach; teach all men these truths, and 
command them, as God's messenger, to receive and obey 
them. 

13 Let no one despise your yotttk; if you are young, de- 
mean yourself so,wisely. ,nd preach the word so faith- 
fully, that all will be compelled to respect you. 

13 Beading; reading of the Scriptures. To the exhorta- 
tion; the exhortation which accompanied the reading. 
Teaching; when the word was read, it needed to be ex- 
plained; and to do this, was to teach. 

14 The gift that is in you; the spiritual gift imparted to 
Timothy by the Spirit. Through prophecy; in accordance 
with prophecies that designated Timothy as a man suited 
to the work of the ministry. Laying on of the hands; 
great blessings were bestowed upon those upon whom the 
apostles and early Christians laid their hands. So it 
might be now, if the elders were Spirit-filled. Mdership; 
an assembly of elders, or ministers of the Gospel, 

16 Take heed to yourself; see that your conduct, habits, 
and life, are just right. And to the teaching; the truths 
which he taught. In them; in the truths in "the teach- 
ing." Save yourself; in the larger sense of the word, by 
getting the benefit that comes from obeying all the truth. 
Those who hear you; on condition that they would accept 
and obey his teachings. 



CHAPTER V. 

1 Rebuke not an elder, but exhort him 
; a father; the younger men, as brethren 



2 the elder women, as mothers; younger, 
as sisters, in all purity. 

3 Honor widows who o/re widows in- 



NOTES ON CHAPTER V. 
1 An elder; meaning here, most likely, an aged Chris 
tian man. It may refer to a preacher, who is an elder in 
the Gospel use of the word. 



3 Honor widows; here meaning that such as were wid- 
ows truly should be enrolled as beneficiaries of the assem- 
bly of which they were members. 



310 



I. TIMOTHY 



deed. 4 But, if any widow has children 
or grand-children, let them learn first to 
show regard to their own family, and to 
make returns to their parents; for this is 
acceptable before God. 5 Now she zJAa^ «• 
really a widow, and left alone, has set her 
hope on God, and continues in supplica- 
tions and prayers, night and day. 6 But 
she who lives in pleasure, though living, 
has died. 7 And these things give in 
charge, that they may be blameless. 8 
But, if any one provides not for his own, 
and especially for his own household, he 
has denied the faith, and is worse than an 
unbeliever. 

9 Let a widow be enrolled, when she has 
become not less than sixty years old, hav- 
i/ag heen a wife of one man, 10 noted for 
good works; if she nourished children, if she 
used hospitality, if she washed the saints' 
feet, if she relieved those in tribulation, if 
she diligently followed every good work. 
11 But younger widows refuse; for, when 
they grow wanton against Christ, they 
wish to marry, 12 having condemnation, 
because they set aside their first faith. 13 
And, at the same time, they learn to be 
idle, going around from house to house, 
and not only idle, but tattlers also and 
busy-bodies, speaking things which they 
ought not. 



4 Children or grand-children; widows, having children 
or grand-children able to support them, should be sup- 
ported by them, and not be a burden on the assembly. 

5 Left alone; without any one to support her. 

6 Lives in pleasure; in wantonness and sinful extrava- 
gance. Though living, has died; has animal life, but is 
spiritually dead in sin 

8 If any one provides not for his own; thoselwho leave 
the dependent members of their own household, to suffer 
for food and clothing, while it is in their power to prevent 
It. have denied the faith, and are not to be counted as be- 
lievers. ITorsethananunTjeliever; because he has denied 
the Gospel which enjoins the support of one's family; and. 
in this respect, he is worse than an unbeliever who lets his 
family suffer for food and clothing. 

9 Washed the saints' feet; to do the lowliest service to 
God's people. This was a mark of a thoroughly yielded 
life. 

11 Tounger widows: who apply for enrollment as bene- 
ficiaries on the assembly list. Wanton against Christ; un- 
willing to submit to proper discipline because of their 
wantonness and love of pleasure. 

13 They; these young widows who have violated their 
obligation. Having done wrong, they grow worse and 
worse, being idle, tattlers, busy-bodies, etc. 

14 The adversary ; the Devil, or some enemy of Christi- 
anity. Came of reproach; ground for evil speaking. 

15 Some; of the young widows spoken of above, (vs. 
11-13). Turned aside after Satan; by yielding to his temp- 
tations, and falling into his snares. 



14 I desire, therefore, that younger 
widows marry, bear children, rule a house- 
hold, give no occasion to the adversary for 
reproach; 15 for already some turned 
aside after Satan. 16 If any believing 
woman has widows, let her relieve them, 
and let not the assembly be burdened, in 
order that it may relieve those who are 
really widows. 

17 Let elders who preside well be counted 
worthy of double honor, especially those 
who labor in word and teaching. 18 For 
the Scripture says, "You shall not muzzle 
the ox while threshing," and "The laborer 
is worthy of his wages." 

19 Against an elder receive not an accu- 
sation, except on the testimony of two or 
three witnesses. 20 Those who sin re- 
prove before all, that the rest also may 
have fear. 

21 I solemnly charge you before God, 
and Christ Jesus, and the elect angels, that 
you observe these things without preju- 
dice,^ doing nothing by partiality. 

22 Lay hands hastily on no one, neither 
partaker of other men's sins. Keep 

yourself pure. 23 Be no longer a drinker 
of water, but use a little wine because of 
your stomach and your frequent infirm- 
ities. 



Or, preference. 



Has widows; a widowed mother or grandmother, or 
any whom she ought to support. Who are really widows; 
who are left alone, without support ; and are of the required 
age, etc., (v. 9).- 

17 Elders; those having the chief direction of the inter- 
ests of the assembly, and those who preach, and teach. 
Double honor; those laboring in word and teaching; devot- 
ing their whole time and energies to the ministry. These 
should receive support. 

18 The Scripture; Deut. 25:4. 

19 Two or three witnesses; Deut. 19:15. 

20 Who sin; whose guilt is proved. 

21 The elect angels; who have lived in perfect obedience 
to the will of God. and have been preserved in a state of 
perfect sinlessness. These are the ministering spirits, 
who are sent forth to minister to those who shall be heirs 
of salvation. (Heb. 1:14). 

22 Lay hands hastily on no one; in ordination. Ordain 
no novice, and no one until his doctrines and spirit are un- 
derstood. Partakers of other men's sing; as he would be. 
if he ordained unworthy men to the Gospel ministry. 

23 Of water; water only. Use a little wine; not as a 
beverage, but as a blood-tonic, and as an antidote for his 
weak stomach and frequent infirmities. We do not cer- 
tainly know whether this was fermented wine, or sweet 
wine. In either event, it seems strange that Timothy had 
not learned to take the Liord for all his bodily ailments and 
weaknesses. 



I. TIMOTHY 



311 



24 Some men's sins are openly manifest, 
going before to judgment; and some men 
also they follow after. 25 In like manner 



also the works that are good are, openly 
manifest; and those that are otherwise can 
not be hid. 



24 Going hcf ore to judgment : some men's sins are so 
open and notorious, that they condemn them in the public 
mind before the day of trial. Otiier men they (the sins) fol- 



low after; their sins are concealed,. and must be developed 
later. Men who have set evil influences in the world, will 
have to account for all the results hereafter. 



CHAPTEE VI. 

1 Let as many as are slaves under a 
yoke account their own masters worthy of 
all honor, that the name of God and the 
teaching be not blasphemed. 2 And let 
those having believing masters not de- 
spise them, because they are brethren; 
but let them serve them the more, because 
they are faithful and beloved, who are 
partakers of the benefit. These things 
teach and exhort. 

3 If anyone teaches otherwise, and con- 
sents not to healthful words, the words of 
our Lord Jesus Christ, and the teaching 
according to godliness, 4 he has become 
puffed up, knowing nothing, but morbid 
about questions and word-battles, out of 
which come envy, strife, railings, evil sur- 
misings, 5 wranglings of men corrupted 
in mind and bereft of the truth, supposing 
godliness to be a source of gain. 6 But 
godliness with contentment is a great source 
of gain; 7 for nothing have we brought 
into the world, neither can we carry any- 
thing out; 8 but, having food and rai- 
ment, with these we shall be content. 9 
But those, purposing to "be rich, fall into 
temptation, and a snare, and many foolish 
and hurtful desires, which, indeed, sink 



men into destruction and perdition. 10 
For the love of money is a root of all the 
evils; which some reaching after wandered 
away from the faith, and pierced them- 
selves through with many sorrows. 

11 But do you, Oman of God, flee these 
things; but pursue righteousness, godli- 
ness, faith, love, patience, mildness. 12 
Fight the good fight of the faith, lay hold on 
the eternal life, to which you were called, 
and confessed a good confession before 
many witnesses. 13 I charge you before 
God who preserves alive all things, and 
Christ Jesus Who before Pontius Pilate 
testified a good confession, 14 that you keep 
the commandment, unsullied, irreproacha- 
ble, until the appearing of our Lord Jesus 
Christ, 15 which in His own times the 
Happy and Only Potentate will show, the 
King of kings and Lord of lords, 16 
Who only hath immortality, inhabiting 
light unapproachable, Whom no man ever 
saw or is able to see; to Whom he honor 
and dominion^ eternal. Amen. 17 Charge 
those who are rich in this present age, not 
to be high-minded, nor to have their hope 
set on the uncertainty of riches, but on 
God, Who giveth us richly all things for 



Or. power. 



NOTES ON CHAPTER VI. 

1 tfnder a yoke; yoke of bondage or servitude. ■ 

2 Selievina masters; Christians. Not despise them; btit 
treat them in a kind, obedient. Christian spirit, because 
they are brethren in Christ. 

3 Teach otherwise; in a manner different from the teach- 
ings of the apostle on this subject. The words of our 
Lord Jesus Christ; see Matt. 5:39; 6:12-15; 18:21-35, 

5 Supposing godliness to be a source of gain; see the case 
of Simon the sorcerer. (Acts 8:18-24) ; the false teachers in 
Corinth. (II Cor. 11:20; II Tim. 3:5, 6). Worldly people 
attach themselves to some congregation, for the standing 
it gives them, and for the profit they hope to gain thereby. 

6 Godliness, with contentment, is a great source of gain; 
but not of worldly gain; for the Chtistian's riches are 
spiritual. Gain, in the highest sense, comes to the godly 
person who is contented with his earthly lot, and finds his 
riches in God. 

8 With these; food and raiment. We shall be content; 
this is all we can really use, and we should be content with 
it. 

9 Purposing to be rich; have their minds set on riches 
and are resolved to become rich. A snare; a snare of the 
Devil. If he can influence a man to set his mind and heart 



1 riches, he has a fine opportunity for capturing his soul. 

10 The love of money is a root of all the evils; it tempts 
one to commit all sorts of evils. All evils have a common 
center in Satan; and he who is tied on to Satan by one 
evil is liable to become a participant in every species of it. 

12 Fight the good fight of faith; the Christian is a war- 
rior, and has the flesh, the world, and the Devil, to com- 
bat. Faith to identify one with Christ, faith to grasp the 
promises, faith to use the sword of the Spirit— faith is in- 
dispensible to victory over these enemies. Confessed a 
good confession; in his baptism and ordination, as also in 
the sharp persecutions he [Timothy] had endured. 

14 Commandment; the whole charge contained in this 
letter. Unsullied, irreproachable; these descriptives may 
refer to Timothy or to the commandment; the position of 
the words would favor their reference to the word "com- 
mandment. " Keep the commandment unsullied, irre- 
proachable. 

15 Which; the appearing of the Lord. Zn His own 
times; in God's own appointed time. Will show; will re- 
veal, or make manifest. King of kings; literally. King of 
those exercising kingship; and "Lord of those exercising 
lordship." 

16 Immortality: life in Himself, and underived, inde- 
pendent, and eternal. 



312 



I. TIMOTHY 



enjoyment; 18 that they do good, that 
they be rich in good works, free to im- 
part, liberal; 19 treasuring up for them- 
selves a good foundation for the future, 
that they may lay hold on that which in 
really life. 



20 O Timothy, guard the deposit; turn- 
ing away from the profane babblings, and 
oppositions of that which is falsely called 
knowledge; 21 which some professing 
erred concerning the faith. Grace be with 
you. 



19 A good foundation; those who so live as to properly 
represent Christ in this world have a good foundation for 
the future. Blessed realizations will be theirs in the eter- 
nity to follow. If God's people would live with Heaven in 
view, how it would lighten their present burdens! 



20 The deposit; that which was committed to him, or 
the same as the commandment, (v. 14). Oppositions; con- 
tentions and contradictions growing out of that which is 
falsely called knowledge— that is, false knowledge, or 
knowledge that is pernicious. 



THE SECOND — 



EPISTLE TO TIMOTHY. 

This epistle was written from Rome, when Paul was nearing the close of his second imprisonment, and shortl.v 
before his execution, (ch. 4:e). Many of his friends, not wishing to imperil their lives by showing their friendship to 
him as a prisoner, forsook him, (1:15; 4:10). Needing the presence and help of Timothy, he writes, urging him to 
come at once, and to bring certain articles he had left at Troas. Peeling that his end was near, he improved the op- 
portunity by giving Timothy more valuable instruction, and his final apostolic counsel and encouragement. The 
epistle was written A, D. 67, or 68. 

CONTENTS. 

1. Salutation, (1:1, 2), 2. Timothy and his charge. (1:3-14). 3. Phygellus and Hermogenes forsake Paul, 
services rendered by Onesiphorus, (1:15-18). 4. Directions and admonitions. (11:1-16). 5. Doctrinal error of Hyme- 
nffius and Philetus. (11:17,18). 6. Doctrinal statements, (11:19-21). 7. Other injunctions. (11:22-25). 8. Perilous 
times and corrupt men foretold, (111:1-9). 9. Timothy contrasted with the deceivers. (111:10-17). He must be firm in 
reproving. (IV: 1-5). 10. The apostle's course is run, (IV :6-8). 11. Personal message and directions. (IV:9-18). 12. 
Concluding salutation. (IV: 19-22). 



II. TIMOTHY. 

CHAPTER I. 

1 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ 
through the will of God, according to the 
promise of life which is in Christ Jesus, 2 
to Timothy, a beloved child: grace, mercy, 
peace, from God the Fal^Jier, and Christ 
Jesus our Lord. 

3 I thank God, Whom I serve from my 
fore-fathers, in a pure conscience, that^ I 
have an unceasing remembrance of you in 
my supplications night and day: 4 long- 
ing to see you, remembering your tears, 
that I may be filled with joy; 5 having a 
remembrance of the unfeigned faith which 
is in you; which, indeed, dwelt first in your 
grand-mother Lois, anci your mother Eu- 
nice; and, I have become persuaded, in you 
also. 6 For which cause, I put you in re- 
membrance that you stir into flame the 
gift of God, which is in you through the 
laying on of hands. 7 For God did not 



NOTES ON CHAPTER I. 

1 According to the promise of life; Paul was called to be 
an apostle for the purpose of making known the Gospel of 
Christ. 

2 A beloved child; Paul was Timothy's spiritual father, 
and Timothy, therefore, was his beloved child, 

3 From my fore-fathers; his Jewish ancestors, from 
whom he had learned much of the letter of the Old Testa- 
ment Scriptures. 

4 Your tears; when they i>arted. Filled with joy; on 
meeting him again. 

6 Stir into flame the gift of God; earnestly and vigor- 
ously use the gift for the glory of God. The Holy Spirit 
had bestowed some gift upon Timothy in connection with 
the laying on of hands, (I Tim. 4:14). 

8 Suffer hardship with me for the Oospel; Paul was suf- 
fering hardship at the time this letter was written ; and he 
encourages Timothy to be a sufferer with him for the Gos 
pel. This Timothy would, in some measure, do. if he should 



give us a spirit of timidity, but of power 
and love and sobriety. 8 Be not ashamed, 
therefore, of the testimony of our Lord, 
nor of me His prisoner; but suffer hard- 
ship with me for the Gospel, according to 
the power of God, 9 Who saved us, and 
called us with a holy calling, not according 
to our works, but according to His own 
purpose, and grace which was given us 
in Christ Jesus before eternal ages,* 10 
but now made manifest through the ap- 
pearing of our Savior Christ Jesus; Who, 
indeed, abolished death, and brought' 
to light life and incorruption through the 
Gospel; 11. for which I was appointed a 
preacher, and an apostle, and a teacher. 
12 For which cause I am suffering also 
these things; but I am not ashamed; for I 
know Whom I have believed, and have be- 
come persuaded that He is able to guard 
my deposit unto that day. 13 Hold the 
pattern of healthful words which you heard 
from me, in faith and love which is in 
Christ Jesus. 14 The good deposit guard 



2 Gr. Times. 3 . Gr. Illuminated. 



come to Rome, and make Paul his companion. But it is 
better to refer this, perhaps, to all sufferings that were in- 
cident to every faithful preacher of the Gospel. According 
to the power of God: the power to endure sufferings is from 
God, but He is ready to bestow the power, whenever it is 



9 Given us . . . before eternal ages; His grace was given 
us in His eternal purpose. 

10 Abolished death ; destroyed the dominion of sin and 
death over believers. Brought to light life and incorrup- 
tion through the Gospel: revealed more clearly the incor- 
ruptible, and, hence, unending life of the true believer. 

12 For which cause; on account of his preaching the 
Gospel. Guard my deposit; himself and all his eternal in- 
terests; these he had committed to, or deposited with, 
God, and he was sure that his deposit would be kept se- 
curely. 

14 The good deposit guard; look well to the ministry 
which has been committed to you, and fulfill all its obliga- 
tions. 



314 



II. TIMOTHY 



through the Holy Spirit Who dwelleth in 
us. 

15 You know this, that all in Asia turned 
away from me; of whom are Phygellus and 
Hermogenes. 16 The Lord give mercy to 
the house of Onesiphorus; because he oft- 
times refreshed me, and was not ashamed 



of my chain; 17 but, being in Rome, he 
diligently sought me, and found me (18 the 
Lord grant to him to find mercy from the 
Lord in that day); and in how many things 
he ministered to me at Ephesus, you know 
very well.* 



4 Gr. Better. 



15 All in Asia; meaning proconsular Asia, of which 
Ephesus was the capital. The word "all" is not to be 
understood as meaning every one, but the vast majority. 

12 Onesiphorus; a Christian who livedin Asia. (ch. 4:19). 
Refreshed me: by supplying his wants, and giving him 



Christian fellowship in his sufferings. My chain: which 
hound Paul to the soldier who guarded him. 

In that day; when Christ shall come as Judge, to re- 
ward men according to the deeds done in the body. (Matt. 
J5: 34-40). 



CHAPTER II. 

1 Do you, therefore, my child, be strong 
in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. 2 
And the things which you heard from me, 
through many witnesses, these commit to 
faithful men, who will be competent to 
teach others also. 3 Suflfer hardship with 
me, as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. 4 
No one, serving as a soldier, 'entangles him- 
self with the affairs of life, that he may 
please him who enrolled him as a soldier. 
6 And, if also one contends in the games, 
he is not crowned, unless he contends law- 
fully. 6 The toiling husbandman must first 
partake of the fruits. 7 Consider what I 
am saying; for the Lord will give you dis- 
cernment in all things. 

8 Remember Jesus Christ, raised from 
the dead, of the seed of David, according 
to my Gospel; 9 wherein I am suffering 
hardship, even to bonds, as a malefactor; 
but the Word of God has not become 
bound. 10 Therefore, I suffer all things 
for the sake of the elect, that they also may 
obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus, 



with eternal glory. 11 Faithful is the say- 
ing; for, if we died with Him, we shall 
also live with Him; 12 if we endure, we 
shall also reign with Hivi ; if we deny Him, 
He will also deny us; 13 if we are faith- 
less. He remaineth faithful, for He cannot 
deny Himself. 14 Of these things put 
them in remembrance, solemnly charging 
them before God, that they engage not in 
word-battles to no profit, to the subvert- 
ing of those who hear. 

15 Give dili^nce to present yourself 
approved to God, a workman not to be 
ashamed, rightly dividing the word of 
truth. 16 But shun the profane babblings, 
for they will proceed to more ungodliness; 

17 and their word will spread,' as a gan- 
grene; of whom is Hymenseus and Philetus; 

18 who erred concerning the truth, saying 
that the resurrection has already taken 
place, and are overthrowing the faith of 
some. 19 Nevertheless, the firm foundation 
of God has been standing, having this seal, 
"The Lord knew those who are His;" and 



1 Gr. Will have pasture or place. 



NOTES ON CHAPTER II. 

3 Suffer hardship with me; such hardships as would fall 
to the lot of every faithful minister, 

4 Entangles himself; the soldier cannot carry on busi- 
ness such as other men manage, while he is a soldier. The 
man who is called into the ministry will find enough to do, 
it he has permitted the Lord to prepare him, by His Spirit, 
for the work. 

5 Contends lawfully; according to the laws that con- 
trolled in athletic contests. 

6 The toilina husbandman . . . first partake of the fruits; 
before partaking of the fruit, the husbandman must first 
toil. So the preacher must labor in the ministry, before 
he can enjoy its fruits. 

8 Raised from the dead; hence you are serving a living 
Christ. Who is able to reward you. 

9 The truth has not become bound; enemies might 1 
the apostle, but they could not bind the Gospel. 

10 For the sake of the elect; those whom God had chosen 
to salvation. 

11 If loe died with Him; see note on Bom. 6:6. 



He cannot deny Himself; act contrary to His nature 
and promises. 

15 Biahtly dividing the word of truth; giving its true im- 
port and application, in a way to supply each with his por- 
tion of meat in due season. 

16 Pro/oTie 6a66?jrei7s,- all kinds of profitless talk. They 
will proceed to more ungodliness; these babblings will lead 
men to more ungodliness. Indulgence in the wrong use of 
the tongue leads to other fatal excesses. 

17 Their word will spread, as a gangrene; the poisorujus 
influence of words upon the spiritual man will spread as a 
mortifying sore over the body. Such words serve to illus- 
trate both the nature and the contagious character of false 
teachings. 

18 That the resurrection has already taken place; thus 
making it. probably, spiritual rather than physical. 

19. The fij-m foundation of God; His purpose of human 
redemption in Christ ; Christ being Himself the founda- 
tion upon which all the redeemed stand. (I Cor. 3:10. 11; 
Eph. 2:19-22). The Lord knew; knew from all eternity. 
Those who are His; His elect. God saw the end from the 



II. TIMOTHY 



315 



"Let every one who names the name of 
the Lord depart from unrighteousness." 
20 But, in a great house, there are not only 
vessels of gold and silver, but also of wood 
and of earth ; and some, indeed, unto honor 
and some unto dishonor. 21 If, therefore, 
one fully purify himself from these, he 
shall boa vessel unto honor, sanctified, serv- 
iceable to the Master, prepared for every 
good work. 22 But flee youthful desires; 
and pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace 
with those calling upon the Lord out of a 

beginning. Here most translators ittnore the aorist tense, 
"kneic," and substitute the present "know." instead. 
God has a people, and He knows them; and knowing, He 
win protect them, . 

20. A great house; here representing the visible cause of 
Christ on earth. Vessels of gold and silver . . . of wood and 



pure heart. 23 But the foolish and igno- 
rant questionings reject, knowing that they 
beget strifes; 24 now a servant of the 
Lord must not engage in strife, but should 
be gentle towards all, apt in teaching, 
patient of wrong, 25 in meekness correct- 
ing those opposing themselves, if perad- 
venture God should give them repentance 
to a full knowledge of tJte truth, 26 and 
they may return to soberness out of the 
snare of the Devil, having been taken cap- 
tive by him in accordance with his will. 



earth,; a fltjurative method of teaching that in visible 
Christendom there will be found the precious and the vile, 
the good and the bad. (see Matt. 13:24-30. 36-43, and 47-50). 
The snare of the Devil; set to ruin them by leading 
them into error. Satan is now at work with great dili- 
gence, to muddle people, and pervert the truth. 



CHAPTEE III. 

1 But know this, that in the last days 
perilous times will come; 2 for men will 
be lov^ers of themselves, lovers of money, 
boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient 
to parents, ungrateful, unholy, 3 without 
natural affection, implacable, slanderers, 
intemperate, "^ fierce, no lovers of good, 4 
traitors, reckless, puffed up, lovers of 
pleasure rather than lovers of God; 5 
holding a form of godliness, but denying 
the power thereof: from these also turn 
away. 6 For of these are those who creep 
into houses, and lead captive silly women 
laden with sins, and led on by manifold 
desires, 7 always learning, and never 
able to come to the full knowledge of the 
truth. 8 And as Jannes and Jambres 
withstood Moses, so do these withstand the 
truth; men utterly corrupted in mind, dis- 



approved concerning the faith. 9 But 
they will proceed no further; for their 
folly will be fully manifest to all, as theirs 
also became. 

10 But you did closely follow my teach- 
ing, conduct, purpose, faith, patience, 11 
persecutions, sufferings; what manner of 
things happened to me in Antioch, in Ico- 
nium, in Lystra; what persecutions I en- 
dured, and out of them all the Lord de- 
livered me. 12 Yea, and all who wish to 
live godlyin Christ Jesus will be persecuted. 
13 But evil men and imposters will grow 
worse and worse, deceiving and being de- 
ceived. 14 But do you abide in the things 
which you learned and were assured of; 
knowing from whom you learned them; 15 
and that, from a babe, you have known the 
holy Scriptures, which are able to make you 
wise unto salvation through faith that is in 
Christ Jesus. 16 Every Scripture inspired ^ 



1 Or, without self-control. 

NOTES ON CHAPTER III. 

1 In the last days; in the latter part of the Gospel dis- 
pensation. 

2-4 The description given in these verses finds many a 
fulfillment in the men ol our times. 

5 Holding a form of godliness; being nominally relig- 
ious, but having none of the life, spirit, and power of 
Christ. Denying the power thereof; showing by their 
worldly lives that they are destitute of power. This may 
include those who deny that miracles can take place now, 
and thus, in their thought, eliminate the supernatural 
from Christianity. 

6 Of these; men of this type. Creep into houses ; go 
slily into families. 

7 :Ever learning; from their false teachers. Jfever able; 
under such teachers to learn the lesson of salvation 
through Christ. 



Or, is inspired, and is profitable, etc. 

Jannes and Jambres; traditional names of the magi- 
cians who withstood Moses., (Ex. 7:11). These magicians 
sought to break the force of the miracles wrought by 
Moses and Aaron, and thus to keep the children of Israel 
in Egypt. Some false teachers in Paul's age and in our 
own are trying to undermine the doctrines of Christ, and 
cripple and ruin Christians, 

9 As theirs also became; referring to Jannes and Jam- 
bres, whose efforts failed to thwart the mission of Moses. 

11 Antioch . . . Iconium, and Lystra; Acts 13:14, 15, 50; 
14:2, 5, 19). 

15 Holy Scriptures; the Old Testament Scriptures. 

16 Every Scripture inspired of God; not every Scrip- 
ture, but every Scripture that is inspired of God. 'is 
proMable; for the truth it contains. For reproof; in 
showing one his sins. For correction; in reclaiming one 
from error. For instruction in righteousness; teaching 
what is right to be done toward man and God. 



316 



II. TIMOTHY 



of God is also profitable for teaching, for 
reproof, for correction, for instruction in 
righteousness; 17 that the man of God 



may be complete, thoroughly furnished 
for'^ every good work. 



17 Thoroughly furnished for every good work; a thorough 
knowledge ot the Scriptures will, with the blessing of the 



Holy Spirit, equip one for every work to which God calls 
one. 



CHAPTER IV. 

1 I charge you before God, and Christ 
Jesus, Who is to judge the living and the 
dead, and by His appearing and His King- 
dom, 2 preach the word; be urgent in 
season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, ex- 
hort, with all long-suffering and teaching. 
3 For there will be a time when they will 
not endure the healthful teaching; but, 
having itching ears,^ they will for them- 
selves heap up teachers according to their 
own desires; 4 and will turn away their 
ears ^ from the truth, and will turn aside 
to the fables. 

5 But be sober in all things, suffer hard- 
ship, do the work of an evangelist, fully 
accomplish your ministry. 6 For I am 
already being offered,^ and the time of my 
departure has arrived. 7 I have con- 
tended in the noble contest, I have finished 
the course, I have kept the faith; 8 hence- 
forth there is laid up for me the crown of 
righteousness, which the Lord, the Right- 
eous Judge, will recompense to me in that 



1 Gr. Itching as to the hearing. 8 Gr. Theh^aring. 
3 Gr. Poured out as a libation. 



day, and not only to me, but also to all 
those who have loved His appearing. 
9 Give diligence to come to me speedily; 

10 for Demas forsook me, having loved 
this present age,* and went to Thessalonica; 
Crescens, to Galatia; Titus, to Dalmatia. 

11 Only Luke is with me. Taking Mark, 
bring him with you; for he is useful to 
me for ministering. 12 But Tychicus I 
sent to Ephesus. 13 The cloak which I 
left in Troas with Carpus, when you come, 
bring, and the books, especially the parch- 
ments. 

14 Alexander, the coppersmith, showed 
me much evil; the Lord will reward him 
according to his works: 15 of whom do 
you also beware; for greatly did he with- 
stand our words. 16 In my first defense, 
no one stood by me, but all forsook me. 
May it not be laid to their account! 17 
But the Lord stood by me, and strength- 
ened me, that through me, the proclama- 
tion might be fully announced, and that all 
the gentiles might hear; and I was delivered 
out of the mouth of a lion. 18 The Lord 



i Or, world. 



NOTES ON CHAPTER IV. 

2 Be urgent in season, out of season; always be ready 
for any service that you can render the cause of Christ, 
whether by preaching the Gospel or by ministering to the 
wants of God's people. 

3 Having itching ears; literally, itching as to the hear- 
ing. Meaning that they have fastidious tastes which they 
wish to have gratified. Hence they heap tcacliers; employ 
a variety of teachers, that through these their tastes may 
be gratified. Such people have no Christianity beyond a 
mere sentiment, and they do not desire real Gospel preach- 
ers to serve them. How true is this at the present day! 
Such people turn away from the Gtospel, and are entertained 
with any kind ot speculations! 

6 lam being offered: pouring forth my blood as a drink 
offering. Seeing that his execution is near, he speaks of 
it as already begun. 

7 r have contended in; have taken part in. The noble 
contest; the one set before me by my Lord. The language 
is borrowed from the Grecian games. I have finished the 
course; the race set before him. (Phil. 3-14). Note partic- 
ularly that the aged apostle did not learn that he had fin- 
ished "the course." till he learned definitely that his life 
was speedily to pay the forfeit for his loyalty to Christ. 
Had he stopped running before the Judge put in His deci 
sion by a permissive providence that ended the apostle's 



race, he would surely have lost the prize— not his soul, but 
his crown, (Rev. 3:11). 

10 The apostle seems to have censured Demas particu- 
larly as having forsaken him in his bonds ; ascribing his 
departure from Rome, the place of danger, to his fondness 
for the world and its enjoyments. He mentions the fact 
that Crescens and Titus had also left Rome, but he lays 
nothing to their charge. 

11 Luke; the writer of Acts and the third Gospel. 

13 Parchments; dressed sldns on which the more valu- 
able of ancient books were written. As to what particular 
parchments these were, we have no means of knowing. 

16 In my first defense; his first hearing before the Ro- 
man emperor or a court commissioned by him to try Paul. 
The word ^rsi implies a subsequent trial; and from the 
language of the apostle in vs. 6 and 7. it appears that the 
trial was over, and that Paul's doom had been declared. 
Or it may have been that Paul clearly saw what would be 
his fate even before the final trial, and wrote vs. 6 and 7 
under the influence of such conviction. 

17 Out of the mouth of the lion; some understand these 
words literally, to the effect that Paul was made to fight 
with a lion, and that he escaped death through his good 
fortune as a fighter; killing or disabling the lion, and sav- 
ing his own life. Others suppose that he referred to the 
Roman emperor as a lion. 



11. TIMOTHY 



317 



will deliver me from every evil work, and 
will brin^ me safe into His heavenly King- 
dom; to Whom be the glory for ever and 
ever. Amen. 19 Salute Prisca and Aquila, 
and the household of Onesiphorus. 

20 Erastus abode in Corinth; but Troph- 



iraus I left in Miletus sick. 21 Give dili- 
gence to come to me before winter. Eubu- 
lus salute^«-you, and Pudens, and Linus, 
and Claudia, and all the brethren. 22 The 
Lord he with your spirit. Grace he with 
you. 



18 From every evil work; not from persecution or even 
death whicti he clearly saw to be his doom, but from spir- 
itual detriment at the hands of evil teachers. Paul 
seemed to dread the influence of false teachers upon one's 



spiritual interests tar more than death at the hand of a 
pa^an emperer.' Man can kill the body; but error, em- 
braced and followed, ruins the soul. 
19 Onesiphorus; ch.. 1:1^. 



— THE — 

EPISTLE TO TITUS. 



Titus was another traveling companion of Paul, and served as an assistant to the apostle. He was of gentile 
origen. (Gal. 2:3). He performed some valuable service for Paul, as seen in II Cor. 7:13, H; 8:6, 16-19, 22-24, about the 
year A. D. 57. Several years after this, he is found in Crete, having a pastoral charge; and this epistle was addressed 
to him at Crete. It is not known at what date or from what place this epistle was written; but as it is a pastoral let- 
ter, it is supposed that it was written about the time of the epistles to Timothy, or about A. D. 65, or 66. 

CONTENTS. 

1. Salutation. (1:1-4). 2. Qualifications of elders, or bishops, (1:5-9). 3. Character of the Cretans, (i: 10-16). 
4. Duty of various classes (11:1-10), in view of their Christian calling. (11:11-15). 5. Other exhortations (111:1.2). 
based upon the change wrought in them by the acceptance of Christ (111:3-7), which is widely different from the 
follies of heresy, (111:8-11). 6. Personal message and salutation, (111:12-15). 



TITUS. 

CHAPTEE I. 

1 Paul, a servant of God, and an apos- 
tle of Jesus Christ, according to the faith 
of God's elect, and the full knowledge of 
the truth which is according to godliness, 
2 upon hope of eternal life which God, 
Who cannot lie,^ promised before eternal 
times, 3 but in His own seasons mani- 
fested His word in a proclamation with 
which I was entrusted according to the 
commandment of God our Savior; 4 to 
Titus, a true child according to the com- 
mon faith: grace and peace from God the 
Father and Christ Jesus our Savior. 

6 For this cause I left you in Crete, 
that you should set in order the things 
that are lacking, and appoint elders in 
every city, as 1 directed you; 6 if any- 
one is blameless, a husband of one wife, 
having believing children not in accusa- 
tion of rioting, or unruly. 7 For the 
bishop ^ must be blameless, as God's stew- 
ard; not self-willed, not soon angry, not 
given to wine, not a striker, not greedy of 
base gain; 8 but hospitable, a lover of 



1 Not false. 2 Ov. overseer. 



good, sober-minded, righteous, pious, 
temperate; 9 holding fast the faithful 
word which is according to the teaching, 
that he may be able both to exhort in the 
healthful doctrine, and to convict those 
who contradict. 10 For there are many 
unruly men, vain-talkers and deceivers, 
especially those of the circumcision, 11 
whom it is needful to reduce to silence;' 
who, indeed, are overthrowing whole 
houses, teaching what they ought not, for 
the sake of base gain. 12 One of them- 
selves, a prophet of their own, said, "Cre- 
tans are always fake, evil beasts, idle 
gluttons."* 13 This testimony is true. 
For which cause, reprove them sharply, 
that they may be sound in the faith; 14 
not giving heed to Jewish fables, and com- 
man(lments of men who turn away from 
the truth. 

15 To the pure all things are pure; but 
to the defiled and unbelieving nothing is 
pure; but both their mind and their con- 
science have become defiled. 16 They 
profess to know God; but b.y their works 
they deny Jlim; being abominable, and 
disobedient, and for every good work 
worthless.'* 



3 Or, fo stop the mouth. 

approval. 



Gr. Bellies. 5 Or. without 



NOTES ON CHAPTER I. 

2 Promised: in His eternal purpose. 

3 His word: the revelation of this eternal purpose. A 
proclamation: or preaching the Gospel. With which I was 
entrusted: the proclamation of the Gospel was laid upon 
Paul as a duty. 

5 Set in order: complete arrangements which Paul had 
begun among them, regarding the planting of assemblies, 
and the appointing of elders. 

7-9 A bishop: an overseer, or pastor. (I Tim. 3:2-7). 

10 Those of the circumcision: the Jews. 



11 To reduce to silence: literally, to stop their mouths; 
meaning that they should be silenced by the force of 
truth. Overthrowing whole houses: subverting the faith of 
whole households. 

12 A prophet of their own: Epimenides. who was one of 
their poets. 

15 To the defiled and unbelieving: those who do not be- 
lieve on Christ, and hence are defiled with sin. Nothing 
is pure: but everything they touch is polluted, 

16 By their works they deny Him: their works contra- 
dict their profession. 



CHAPTER II. 

1 But speak the things which become 
the healthful teaching; 2 that aged men 



be temperate, grave, sober-minded, sound ^ 
in faith, in love, in patience; 3 that aged 



TITUS 



31!» 



women, in like manner, be reverent in de- 
meanor, not slanderers, not enslaved to 
much wine, teachers of that which is good; 
4 that they may train the young women 
to be lovers of their husbands, lovers of 
their children, 5 to be sober, pure, work- 
ers at home, good, submitting themselves 
to their own husbands, that the word of 
God be not blasphemed. 6 The younger 
men, in like manner, exhort to be sober- 
minded; 7 in all things showing yourself 
an example of good works; in teaching, 
showhig incorruptness, gravity, 8 sound 
speech not to be condemned; that he who 
is of the contrary part may be ashamed, 
having no evil thing to say concerning us. 
9 Exhort servants to be obedient to 
their own masters, to be well-pleasing in 
all things; not contradicting, 10 not 



keeping back anything, but showing forth 
all good faith; that they may adorn the 
teaching of our Savior God in all things. 
11 For the salvation-imparting grace of 
God appeared to all men, 12 teaching us, 
that, denying ungodliness and worldly de- 
sires, we should live soberly, and right- 
ously, and godly in the present age; 13 
looking for the blissful hope and appear- 
ing of the glory of the great God and our 
Savior Jesus Christ; 14 who gave Him- 
self for us, that he might redeem us from 
all iniquity, and purify for Himself a 
special people, zealous of good works. 
15 These things speak and exhort and re- 
prove with all authority. Let no one de- 
spise you. 



2 Or, as His own possession. 



NOTES ON CHAPTER II. 

5 Be not blasphemed; be not reproached because of the 
inconsistency of professed Christians. 

9 In all things: where they can, at the same time, please 
God. 

10 Not keeping back; not stealing, or reserving for them- 
selves anything that belongs to their master. 

13 Looking for the blissful hope: the second coming of 



Christ was the blissful hope to the early Christians, and it 
should be so with Christians now. Christ will begin to 
display His glory, when He comes with His saints to de- 
stroy His enemies, establish His reign on the earth, and 
judge the nations, (Zech. 14:9, 16-19; Matt. 25;31. 32), 

These things: the duties enjoined in the preceding 
part of the chapter. Let no one despise you: so perform 
your duty as to merit the respect of all right-thinking 
people. 



CHAPTER ni. 

1 Remind them to submit to rulers, to 
authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for 
every good work; 2 to speak evil of no 
one, to be averse to strife, to he mild, 
showing all meekness to all men. 3 For 
we also were once foolish, disobedient, de- 
ceived, serving manifold desires and pleas- 
ures, living^ in malice and envy, hateful, 
and hating one another. 4 But, when the 
kindness and the benevolence of God our 
Savior appeared, 5 not by works of right- 
eousness which we did, but according to 
His mercy. He saved us through a washing 
of regeneration and renewal of the Holy 
Spirit; 6 Whom He poured out upon us 
richly through Jesus Christ our Savior; 
that having been justified by His grace, we 
might become heirs according to the hope 
of eternal life. 8 Faithful is the saying 
and concerning these things I will that you 



Or. spending time. 



affirm confidently, that those who have be- 
lieved God may be careful to maintain 
good works. These things are good and 
profitable to» men. 9 But shun foolish 
questionings, and genealogies, and strife, 
and contentions about the law; for they 
are unprofitable and vain. 

10 A factious man, after a first and a 
second admonition, avoid; knowing that 
such a one has been turned aside, and is 
sinning, being self-condemned. 

12 When I shall send Artemas to you, 
or Tychicus, give diligence to come to me 
to Nicopolis; for there I have decided to 
winter. 

13 Diligently send forward Zenas the 
lawyer and Apollos, that nothing may be 
lacking to them. 14 And let our people 
also learn to maintain good works for nec- 
essary wants, that they may not be un- 
fruitful. 15 All those who are with me 
salute you. Salute those who love us in the 
faith. Grace he with you all. 



NOTES ON CHAPTER III. 

3 For we also; believers were once like other 
foolish, corrupt, vile, etc. 

4 When the Mndness and henevolence of God appeared 
in the gift of Jesus Christ, and the proclamation of the 
Gospel, and the mighty workings of the Spirit 



10 A factious man; a heretic, schismatic, or leader of a 
party. After a first and second admonitinn: Matt. 18:15-17; 
Rom. 16:17, 18. 

12 Nicopolis: there were two cities, or towns, of this 
name; one in Epirus. and the other on the boundry between 
Thrace and Macedonia. We cannot tell which is meant 
here. 



THE — 






EPISTLE TO PHILEMOlSr. 



This epistle was sent from Rome to CoUosse by Onesimus at the same time the epistle to the Coiossians. of 
which Tychious was the bearer, (Col. 4:9). It is addressed to Philemon, a prominent Christian at Colosse. The letter 
is a plea for Onesimus, a servant of Philemon, who had left his master, having probably robbed him of some of his 
goods, (v. 18) ; but. having met Paul at Rome, he was converted; and, under the influence of the new life he had re- 
ceived in Christ, be returns to his master to fulfill all his duties as a servant. This epistle has been greatly admired 
for its courtesy, delicacy, and tact. 

CONTENTS. 

I. Thanksgiving for Philemon's faith and zeal. (vs. 1-7). -II. Paul's request in behalf of Onesimus (vs. 8-21). 
and for himself, (v. 22). III. Salutation, (vs. 23-25). 



PHrLEMOJST. 

1 Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus, and 
Timothy, our brother, to Philemon, our 
beloved and fellow-worker, 2 and to Ap- 
phia, the sister, and to Archippus, our fel- 
low-soldier, and to the assembly in your 
house: 3 j^race to you, and peace, from 
Grod our Father and Lord Jesus Christ. 

4 I give thanks to my God always, mak- 
ing mention of you in my prayers, 5 hear- 
ing of your love and the faith which you 
have toward the Lord Jesus, and toward 
all the saints; 6 that the fellowship of 
your faith may become effectual, in the 
knowledge of every good thing in you,^ 
for* Christ. 7 For I had much joy and 
consolation on account of your love, be- 
cause the tender affections 'of the saints 



Some Mss. have, us. 2 Or. unto. 



have been refreshed through you, brother. 
Wherefore, though having much bold- 
ness in Christ to enjoin upon you that which 
is becoming, 9 yet for love' s sake I rather 
exhort, being such a one as Paul an aged 
man, and now also a prisoner of Christ 
Jesus: 10 I beseech you for my child, 
whom I begat in my bonds, Onesimus, 11 
who at one time was unprofitable to you, 
but now profitable to you and to me; 12 
whom I sent back to you, in his own per- 
son, that is, my very heart; 13 whom I 
was disposed to keep with me, that in your 
stead he might minister to me in the bonds 
of the Gospel; 14 but, without your con- 
sent, I was willing to do nothing; that your 
beneficence might not be by necessity, but 
by choice. 15 For, perhaps, he departed 
for a season for this reason, that you might 



NOTES. 

1 Fellow worker; in spreading the Gospel. 

2. Apphia; perhaps the wife of Philemon. Archippus, 
a Gospel minister, (Col. 4:17). The assembly: that wor- 
shiped in Philemon's house. Here is another instance of 
a Gospel assembly worshiping in a private house, (see 
also Col. 4:15, and Rom. 16:3-5). 

6 That the fellowship of your faith; with the saints in 
the faith of the Gospel. May become effectual; fruitful in 
the knowledge of every good thing which is in you, or. as 
some Mss. have it, in us; meaning, probably, every good 
thing wrought in us, or you, by God through the Gospel, to 
the glory of His name. 

9 For Uxve'ssake; how much better it is to let love 
solve many difBoult problems of a practical nature, than 
to attempt their solution in any other way. The apostle 
might have appealed to Philemon's sense of obligation to 
him because of the great benefit he had brought to him 
leading him to Christ; or he might have appealed to him 
on his apostolic authority; or he might have entered 
upon a course of reasoning to prove to him his obligation 
to receive Onesimus, no longer as a slave, but as a Chris 
tian brother; but Paul chose to let love settle it. We 
have no record as to how Philemon received him; but it is 
highly probable that he received him just as Paul sug- 
gested. If God's children all had the love of Christ per- 
fected in them, what a beautiful people they would be 
How considerate of the rights and feelings of othersl The 
way to have love perfected in us Is this: as children of 



God, we need to yield ourselves wholly to Him. with the 
view of having Him work His perfect will in us. This 
would place us in a position to receive the Spirit in ful- 
ness; and this gracious experience would lead us to the 
place where Christ might take up His abode in us. Then, 
if we crown Him King of our hearts, and put the govern- 
ment of our being wholly on His shoulder. He takes charge 
of all the malevolent elements in our being, and either 
crucifies them, or crowds them out of our being, to make 
room for His own growing nature in us. Now, as His na- 
ture grows up in us more and more, we get more of His 
love ; and, becoming more and more like Him every day. 
His love becomes so dominant in us, that we may answer 
fairly well to the picture furnished us in I Cor. 13:4-8. 
Such love, indeed, is able to decide all matters of practical 
concern, and decide them in a way to please the Triune 
God. God would work wonders through a people who have 
the love-nature of Jesus perfected in them. 

10 Whom J begat in, mvbonds; whom Paul, while a pris- 
oner in Rome, led to Christ. 

12 Receive him; as a Christian brother in the Lord. 

13 Whom I was disposed to keep with me; to minister to 
me in my imprisonment. In your stead; Paul knew that 
Philemon, if present, would have gladly ministered to his 
need. 

15 Departed for a season; left Philemon for a time. 
Receive him bach forever; as a disciple of Christ and brother 
in the Lord, with whom he might have blessed fellowship 
forever. 



PHILEMON 



321 



have him back forever; 16 no longer 
as a slave, but above a slave, a brother 
beloved, especially to me, but how much 
more to you, both in the flesh and in the 
Lord! 17 If, therefore, you hold me as a 
partner, receive him as myself. 18 But, 
if he wronged you in anything, or owes 
you anything^ set down this to my account. 

19 1 Paul wrote it with my own hand, I 
will repay lt\ that I say not to you, that 
you owe me even your own self besides. 

20 Yea, brother, I would have joy of you 



in the Lord! refresh my tender affections 
in Christ. 21 Having confidence in your 
obedience, I wrote to you, knowing that 
you will do even more than I say. 22 But, 
at the same time, prepare also a lodging 
for me; for I hope that, through your 
prayers, I shall be given to you. 23 Epa- 
phras, my fellow-captive in Christ Jesus, 
salutes you; 24 a*- do Mark, Aristarchus, 
Demas, Luke, my fellow-workers. 

25 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ 
he with your spirit. 



16 JVo longer as a slave, but above a slave; Christi- 
anity breaks the chain of bondage, and puts one, who was 
formerly a slave, in the position of a brother in the Lord. 

17 Apartner; a joint-partaker of the Gospel with all its 
rights and privileges. As myself; give Onesimus the same 
reception you would give me. 

18 Set down this to my account; I will pay all your 
charges against him for any real indebtedness or injury he 
has done you. 

19 Tou owe your own self to me; Paul had been the 
instrument of saving Philemon from Hell, and having his 
name registered in the Lamb's book of life; and because 
of these facts, Paul had a very strong claim upon him; but 



he does not demand anything of him on this account. True 
Christianity, or. what is much the same thing, love, does 
not seek even that which is lawfully her own. (L Cor. 13:5). 

20 I would have joy of you; by your noble treatment of 
Onesimus. 

21 Having confidence in your obedience: to the sugges- 
tions Paul had made respecting Onesimus. 

22 Prepare a lodging for me; after he should be re- 
leased from imprisonment. Paul believed that we would, 
in answer to prayer, be permitted to visit Philemon again. 

25 My fellow-captive; imprisoned with him for his ad» 
hesion to Christ. 



THE — 



EPISTLE TO THE HEBRET\^H. 



The epistle to the Hebrews has been ascribed to Paul by the great masS" of Biblical writers. Some few have 
ascribed it to Barn»bas; and others, to ApoUos. It Is impossible, in the absence of any signature, or any statement 
showing who its author was. to determine who was God's amanuensis in the production of this wonderfully instructive 
book. It is thought to have been written between A. D. 67 and 70. 

CONTENTS. 

I. Christianity superior to Judaism, in the Person of its founder ; all previous revelations culminating in Christ,. 
(1:1-3): 1. His superiority to angels. (1:4-14)— hence we should not let His salvation slip, (11:1-4). This superior- 
ity not lessened by reason of His temporary humiliation. (11:5-18) ; which had for its object (a) to deliver men from 
death, (11:10-15); and (b) to fit Him to be a sympathizing Priest, (11:16-18); 2. Christ is superior to servants like 
Moses and Joshua: HeisaSon. and Moses a servant. (111:1-6) [unbelieversof the New dispensation should take warn- 
ingf rom those of the Old. (111:7-19)]. The promised rest still open to believers (IV:l-lO), who should be careful not 
to lose it (IV:11-13), having a sympathetic High Priest, (IV:14-16). 11. Christianity superior to Judaism in its High 
Priesthood; Christbeingsuperior to Aaron and the Aaronic priesthood: 1. Like them He is sympathetic. (V:\-3); 
2. Like them He was called to His office. (V:4-6) ; 3. After the order of Melchizedek, (V:6-10)— He became the Author 
of salvation, (v. 9). The Hebrews should press forward. (VI:l-3). No recovery for the lapsed. (VI:4-8). For those 
who lapse not the promises are sure. (VI:9-20) ; 4. The order of Melchizedek greater than that of Aaron; for Abraham^ 
paid tithes to Melchizedek. (VII:1-10); and the Aaronic priesthood is superceded by Melchisedek's Successor. (VII: 
11-19) ; Who is appointed by an oath, a Perfectand Eternal High Priest. (VH:20-28). III. Christianity is superior tO' 
Judaism in the nature of its ministrations: 1. Christ is High Priest of the true Sanctuary (VIII:l-5), and of a New 
and Better Covenant, (VIII:6-13); 2. The Old Covenant in its tabernacle, and ceremonies of atonement, transitory 
and imperfect. (IX:1-10) ; 3. Christ the Reality of which these things were types. (IX:11-14) ; having sealed the New- 
Covenant with His death and blood, (IX:l&-22); in everything His atonement being higher, (IX:23-28); 4. The repe- 
tition of the old sacrifices showed their want of efficacy. (X:l-8) ; Christ's sacrifice being complete and final, (X:9-18). 
IV. Hortatory inferences: 1. The Hebrews should avail themselves of the access thus offered. (X: 19-25); for the 
penalties of apostasy (X:26-3l) are equal to the rewards of fidelity. (X:32-39) ; 2. Heroes of faith, (XI:l-40) ; 3. En- 
couragement to endure (XII:1-13). to avoid Esau's fate. (XII:14-17). The warning voice of Sinai still speaks. (XH: 
18-29); 4. Various admonitions. (XIII:l-8). TheChristianaltar privileged above the Jewish. (XIII :9:15). Other ad- 
monitions, prayer, and salutation. (XIII:16-25). 



HEBRE^VV^S. 

CHAPTEE I. 

1 God, having in many parts and many 
ways spoken, of old, to the fathers in the 
prophets, 2 at the end of these days 
spake to us in Mis Son, Whom He ap- 
pointed Heir of all things, through Whom 
also He constituted the ages; 3 Who, 
being an effulgence of His glory and an 
exact expression of His substance, and 
upholding all things by the word of His 
power, having made a purification of sins, 
sat down on the right hand of the Majesty 
on high; 4 having become by so much 
superior to the angels, as He hath inher- 
ited a more excellent name than they. 6 



For to whom of the angels said He at any 
time, "You are My Son; I this day have 
begotten you" ? And again, " I will be to 
him a Father; and He shall be to me a 
Son"? 

! But, when again He introduces the 
First-Begotten into the inhabited earth. 
He saith, ' ' And let all the angels of God 
worship Him." 

7 And respecting the angels He saith, 
"Who maketh His angels spirits, and His 
ministers a flame of fire"; 8 but respect- 
ing the Son, "Thy throne, O God, is for- 
ever and ever"; and, "A scepter of up- 
rightness is the scepter of Thy Kingdom; 
9 Thou lovedst righteousness, and hatedst 
iniquity; therefore, God, Thy God, 
anointed Thee with the oil of gladness 



NOTES ON CHAPTER I. 

1 In many parts; giving one thing at one time, and 
another at another; showing incompleteness. In many 
ways; as, by dreams, visions, voices, etc. 

In His Son; God spake, in a complete and full manner, 
in the Person of His Son. Whom He appointed Heir of all 
things; the Father hath appointed His Son to be Heir of 
all things, including the material universe. (Col. 1:16, 17). 

3 Being an effulgence of His glory; the Son is the " era- 
diated brightness " of the Father's glory; so that, in the 
Son, people might see the Father, (John 14:9, 10). The ex- 
act expression of His substance; Jesus Christ is an exact 
expression of the Father's Person or essence. Upholding 
all things; Col. 1:17. Having made a purification of sins; 
by sacrificing Himself, (ch. 9:26). 



4 Better; superior in office, dignity, and nature. A more 
excellent name; that of "The Son of God." 

5 This day have I begotten Thee; referring to the human- 
ity of Jesus; because, as to His Divinity, He had an un- 
derived existence, / will be to Him a Father; referring 
again to the humanity of Jesus. 

6 The First-Begotten; introducing Him to the world 
through His incarnation. Let all the angels of God wor- 
ship Him; quoted from the Greek version of Psa. 97:7. 

7 Respecting the angels; Psa. 104:4, 

8 . -Thy Throne. God, is forever and ever; quoted from 
Psa. 45:6. 7. where Christ appears in the character of Bride- 
groom. Here we see the Father's estimate of the Son. 

9 Above Thy fellows; above them in power and office, 
(Eph. 1:21; Phil. 2:9, 10; Col, 1:18; Bev. 17:14; 19:16). 



HEBREWS 



323 



above Thy fellows"; 10 and, "Thou, 
Lord, in the beginning didst lay^ the foun- 
dation of the earth, and the heavens are 
the works of Thy hands. 11 They shall 
perish, but Thou continuest; and they 
will all become old as does a garment; 12 
and as a mantle Thou wilt roll them up, 



1 Or, didst found the earth. 



as a garment also they shall be changed; 
but Thou art the same, and Thy years 
shall not fail." 

13 But to whom of the angels hath He 
ever said, "Sit on My right hand, until I 
make your enemies the footstool of your 
feet"? 14 Are they not all ministering 
spirits, sent forth for service, for the sake 
of those about to inherit salvation? 



10 Thou. Lord, in the beoinnins: Psa. 102:25-27, 
13 Sit on My riaht hand: 'Psa,. IW:1. Christ applied this 
Himself in Matt. 22:41-45. 



14 Ministering spirits: Gen. 19:1-23; Pss. 34:7; 103:21 > 
Dan. 6:22; 7:10. If the Christian had vision adapted to it, 
he might often see angels and demons round about him. 



CHAPTER II. 

1 For this reason, it is needful that we 
give the more earnest heed to the things 
heard, lest at any time we drift past them. 
2 For, if the word spoken through angels 
became steadfast, and every transgression 
and disobedience received a righteous rec- 
ompense, 3 how shall we escape, having 
neglected so great salvation; which, in- 
deed, having at first been spoken through 
the Lord, was confirmed to us b.y those 
who lieard; 4 Grod testifying \V\i\xthem., 
both with signs and wonders and manifold 
miracles, and distributions^ of the Holy 
Spirit, according to His will? 

5 For not to angels did He subject the 
future inhabited earthy of which we are 
speaking; 6 but some one, somewhere, 
fully testified, saying, "What is naan, that 
Thou rememberest him; or a son of man 
that Thou visitest him? 7 Thou madest 
him a little^ less than angels; Thou crown 
edst him with glory and honor; and didst 



Or, gifts, 2 Or, for a little 't 



set him over the works of Thy hands; 8 
Thou didst put all things in subjection un- 
der his feet." For in subjecting all things 
to him. He left nothing unsubjected to 
him. But now we do not yet see all 
things subjected to him. 9 But we be- 
hold Him Who was made a little lower 
than angels, Jesus, on account of the suf- 
fering of death, crowned with glory and 
honor, that, by the grace of God, He 
might taste death for every one. 10 For 
it was becoming Him, on Whose account 
are all things, and through Whom are all 
things, in bringing many sons unto glory, 
to perfect, through suffering, the Captain 
of their salvation. 11 For both He Who 
sanctifieth and those who are sanctified are 
all of One; for which cause He is not 
ashamed to call them brethren, 12 say- 
ing, "I will declare Thy name to my 
brethren; in the midst of an assembly will 
I sing praise to Thee." 13 And again, 
"I will put my trust in Him." And again, 
"Behold, I and the children whom God 
gave me." 

14 Since, therefore, the children have 



NOTES ON CHAPTER II. 

1 For this cause; hecause of the dignity and glory of 
Him Who speaks. The things heard; the Gospel as delir 
ered hy Jesus or by His authorized ministers. Lest we 
drift past them; fail to get them and appropriate them. 

2 Spoken by angels: see Acts 7:38. 39; Gal. 3:19. Stead 
fast; firm, inviolable except with severe punishment. 

5 The future inhabited earth; this was an expression 
used to indicate the expected reign of the Messiah on 
earth; but the apostle seems to use the expression to in 
elude the whole Christian dispensation, especially the tri 
umphant part of it during Christ's millennial reign. 

6 Some one, somewhere, fully testiAed; Psa. 8:4-9. 

8 Put all things in subjection under his feet; Gen, 1 :28- 
30. We do not see everything yet subjected to him; man, by 
his disobedience, forfeited his right to control the earth 

9 But we behold . . . Jesus . . . crowned with glory and 
honor; the Man, Christ Jesus, as the Head of redeemed 
man, is Lord of earth and Heaven; and, in Him, the words 



of the Psalmist (8:4-9) will find their complete fulfill- 
ment; for in Jesus Christ human nature is exalted to uni- 
versal empire. On account of the suffering of death; His 
suffering death was indispensible to His being crowned 
with glory and honor. 

10 Jt was becoming Mm; God the Father. To perfect 
through suffering, the Captain; Jesus Christ assumed the 
sins of man; and, because He had his sins on Him, it was 
needful that He should die ; and it was through the suffer- 
ing of death for others that He became perfect in His 
character of Mediator and Redeemer. In this way, He had 
all things put under His feet, (Phil. 2:5-11). 

11 He WTio sanctitleth; Christ. And those who are sanc- 
tifled; Christians. All of One; of one nature and of one 
standing in Christ, their living Head. 

12 Saying; Psa. 22:22. referring to Christ. 

13 I will put my trust in Him; II Sam. 22:3, where David 
appears as a type of Christ. Behold, I and the children . 
whom God gave me; Isa, 8:18, Here Isaiah speaks as a 
type of Christ. 



324: 



HEBREWS 



partaken of blood and flesh, He Himself 
also in like manner took part of the same; 
that, through death, He might bring to 
nought him who had the power of death, 
that is, the Devil; 15 and might release 
all those who, through fear of death, were 
all their lifetime subject to bondage. 16 
For surely He doth not succor angels, but 



14 He Himself also . . . took part of the same; that is, 
the Messiah put on a human body, becodring thus a par- 
taker o( blood and flesh. He did this, that He might be- 
come capable of dying. Through death . . . destroy; it 
■was through death that Jesus conquered Satan, and res- 
cued man— or those who believe— from eternal ruin. 
Through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, true 
believers are delivered from Satan's dominion. 

15 Through fear of death . . , subject to hondage; " the 
Sting of death is sin;" and the penalty of sin beyond death 
is a fearful thing to contemplate; and, henoe, many fear 
death as the beginning of an existence of suffering the 
■wrath of God. If this is a fearful bondage to men ■while 
living, ■what must it be to realize the execution of the sin- 
penalty in the eternal world I 

16 Jle doth not succor angels; the mission of Christ to 



He succoreth Abraham's seed. 17 Where- 
fore, it behooved Him in all things to be 
made like His brethren, that He might be- 
come a merciful and faithful High Priest 
in the things pertaining to God, to make 
propitiation for the sins of the people; 18 
for in that He Himself hath suffered, being 
tempted, He is able to succor those who are 
tempted. 



earth was not in the interest of angels, but of Abrahams 
seed. (Rom. 4:11; Gal. 3:7, 16). Had Jesus come for the 
benefit of angels. He would have bsen made like them. 

17 ft behooved Sim; it TfTSiS PTOPCT ioi Sim. Tobemade 
like His brethren; like the human race, from whom some, 
through faith in Him. would become His ' ' brethren. ' ' To 
make propitiation for the sins of the people; this is what 
the Jewish high priest did typically, but Christ did actually 
with His own blood, (ch. 9:12); by removing their sins from 
them by His own death in their behalf, thus remo^ving all 
ground of complaint against them, and making them 
faultless before the law. In this way. Jesus averted the 
wrath of God from the believer, and brought the loving 
favor of God upon all who accept His Son. 

18 He is able; having endured suffering and temptation, 
Jesus is able to deliver those who are tempted. 



CHAPTER in. 

1 Wherefore, holy brethren, partakers 
of a Heavenly calling, consider the Apos- 
tle and High Priest of our confession, 
Jesus, 2 Who was faithful to Him Who 
appointed Him, as also was Moses in all 
His house. 3 For This One has been ac- 
counted worthy of more glory than Moses, 
by as much as He Who built ^ the house 
hath more honor than the house; 4 for 
every house is built ^ by some one, but He 
Who built all things is Grod. 5 And 
Moses, indeed, was faithful in all his 
house, as a servant, for a testimony of 
the things to be afterward spoken; 6 but 
Christ as a Son over His own house; 



Whose house are we, if we hold fast the 
confidence and the glorying of our hope 
firm to the end. 

7 Wherefore, as the Holy Spirit saith, 
"To-day, if ye hear His voice, 8 harden 
not your hearts, as in the provocation, in 
the day of temptation in the wilderness, 
where your fathers tempted Me by prov- 
ing Me, and saw My works, forty years. 
10 Wherefore, I was displeased with that 
generation, and said, 'They do always err 
in their heart, and they did not know My 
ways; 11 as I swore in My wrath, they 
shall not^ enter into My rest.' " 

12 Take heed, brethren, lest at any 
time there shall be in anyone of you an 
evil heart of unbelief, in falling away 



1 Or, prepared; or, made ready. 



2 Gr. If they shall enter, eta. 



NOTES ON CHAPTER III. 

1 niierefore; on account of the character and work of 
Christ as revealed in the foregoing chapter. Heavenly 
calling; God's calling to them to be His children and heirs 
of Heaven. 

2 To Him Who appointed Him; to His high office as Re- 
deemer of man. Jifoses in all His house; in God's house, or 
among God's chosen people, the Israelites. (Num. 12:7), 

3 This One; Christ, as the Builder of God's house under 
the Christian economy. More glory than Moses; because 
Christ is the Builder of His house, while Moses only pre- 
sided over a house constructed by God; the One is Owner, 
and the other a tenant. 

4 He Who built all things is God; God built all things. 
These words are added to refer the house, of which Christ 
is the Builder and O^wner, to God as its ultimate Author, 



Christ is the Builder and Proprietor of the institution of 
Christianity; but He has done all this as the Son under 
the appointment of the Father. 

5 Faithful in all His house, as a servant; Moses was 
merely a servant in the Lord's house, and not proprietor 
of it. For a testimony; as to the truth to be spoken by 
him. 

6 As a Son; Christ was faithful over the household of 
faith. Whose house are we : believers consti tute the house 
of Christ, each member being a lively stone in the build- 
ing, (1 Peter 2:5). 

7 Wherefore; since we are the household of Christ. 
Saith; Psa, 95:7-10, To-day; God's time is always to-day, 
now, 

11 I swore in My wrath; Nnm, li:23. They shall not en- 
ter into My rest; the rest of Canaan, (Deut. 12:9, 10); a 
type of the Christian's rest in Christ, (ch, 4:1, 3. 9-11). 



HEBREWS 



325 



from the living God; 13 but exhort one 
another daily, so long as it is called "To- 
day," lest anyone of you be hardened by 
the deceitf ulness of sin; 14 for we have 
become partakers^ of Christ, if we hold 
fast the beginning of our confidence firm 
to the end: 15 while it is said, "To-day, 
if ye hear His voice, harden not your 
hearts as in the provocation." 



Or. partners. 



16 For who, after having heard, did 
provoke? nay, did not all who came out 
of Egypt through Moses? 17 And with 
whom was He displeased forty years ? Was 
it not with those who sinned, whose car- 
casses fell in the wilderness? 18 And to 
whom did He swear, that they should not 
enter into His rest, but to those who were 
disbelieving? 19 And we see that they 
were not able to enter in because of unbe- 
lief. 



13 So long as it is called " To-day •■; or so long as " To- 
day " is being called; so long as time and opportunity are 
given {or men to repent, and get right with God. 

14 Partakers of CAm<;« partakers of His nature (II 
Peter l:i), and sharers of His rest and bliss prepared for 
His true followers. 

15 Harden not your hearts; by disobedience to Christ. 
In the provocation; when the Israelites provoked God. 
(Num. 14:2-11). 

16 Wio did provoke; displease God by disobedience. 



7 Whose carcasses fell; Num. 26:64. 65. 

8 To tvhom did lie swear ; Num. 14:12-37. 

9 Because of unbelief; it was unbelief, and the active 
disobedience that grew out of it, that kept the Israelites 
out of Canaan; and it is unbelief that keeps multitudes of 
Christians from entering upon that stage of Christian ex- 
perience, of which Canaan was a type. If the true be- 

iever will yield his being and all he has to God, he will 
then be ready to enter upon a blessed life of union, vic- 
tory, rest, and peace in Christ; yet so few are willing to 
surrender all to Him! 



CHAPTER IV. 

1 Let us, therefore, fear, lest a promise 
still being left of entering into His rest, any 
one of you should seem to have come short 
of it. 2 For, indeed, we have had the Gos- 
pel proclaimed to us, even as also they; but 
the word which they heard ^ did not profit 
them, not having been mingled with faith 
on the part of those who heard. 3 For we 
who believed do enter into rest, even as 
He said, "As I swore in My wrath, they 
shall not enter into My.rest; although the 
works were finished from the founding of 
a world." 4 For He hath spoken some- 
where concerning the seventh day thus: 



rd of til €■ hearing. 



"And God rested on the seventh day from 
all His works;" 5 and, in this place., 
again: "They shall not enter into My 
rest." 

6 Since, therefore, it remains for some 
to enter into it, and those to whom the 
Gospel was formerly proclaimed entered 
not in because of unbelief, 7 again He 
designateth a certain day, "To-day" (say- 
ing in David, after so long a time, as has 
been before said), "To-day, if ye hear His 
voice, harden not your hearts." 

8 For, had Joshua given them rest, He 
would not afterward have spoken of an- 
other day. 9 Consequently, there remains 
a'day of rest for the people of God. 10 
For he who entered into His rest, himself 



NOTES ON CHAPTER IV. 

1 His rest; God's rest provided for His people. This is 
not the rest of Canaan, but the rest of which this was a 
type. It is the rest that comes to the believer who habit- 
ually lives the Spirit-filled life, and through the Spirit has 
come into unbroken fellowship with Christ and the Father, 
(John 4:14; 14:20.21.23; Eph. 3:16-19). Come short of it: 
many come short of this blessed rest here, and damage 
their eternal interests thereby. 

2 As they; the Israelites in the wilderness. The word 
which they heard; the offer of rest in Canaan with all its 
accompanying blessings. Did not profit them; because 
they did not believe God, and refused, at Kadesh-Barnea. 
to obey Him. (Num. ch. 14). 

3 Do enter into rest; the blessed rest provided in the 
Gospel tor all obedient believers. As He said; Ps. 95:11. 
They shall not enter into My rest ; the Greek reads, ' ' If they 
shall enter into My rest, " but this is a Hebrew form of ex- 
pression that means, "They shall not enter," etc. The 
u'ur/fs were finished; the works of creation. 



4 Somewhere; Gen. 2:1-3, proving that there is a rest 
upon which God entered after he had finished the work of 
creation. 

6 It remains for some to enter into it; that is^ it is still a 
rest reserved for those who accept it on the terms of the 
Gospel. 

7 He designateth a certain day; after the Israelites had 
failed to enter into the rest offered to them, God appoints 
another day. Saying in David; speaking through David, 
(Ps. 95:7). Of course, the rest that David speaks of is not 
the rest of Canaan, nor the rest of the sabbath (for both 
these had been already realized), but he referred to the 
rest of which fTiese were types. 

9 Consequently ; as a certain conclusion from the facts 
given above, there remains a spiritual rest for the people 
of God— an eternal rest, sweet foretastes of which the true 
believer may enjoy in this present life. 

10 His rest; God's rest prepared for His people in 
Heaven. Rested from His works; from his earthly labors. 
As God did; from the works of creation — on the first sab- 
bath. 



HEBREWS 



also rested from his works, as God did 
from His Own. 11 Let us, therefore, give 
diligence to enter into that rest, that no 
one fall after ^ the same example of unbe- 
lief. 12 For the word of God is living, 
and effectual, and sharper than any two- 
edged sword, piercing even to a dividing 
of soul and spirit, of both joints and mar- 
row, and is a discerner of the thoughts and 
intents of the heart. 13 And there is no 
creature that is not manifest in His pres- 



2 Gr. In. 



ence; but all things are naked and laid bare 
to the eyes of Him with Whom is our ac- 
count. 

14 Having, therefore, a great High 
Priest, Who hath passed through the heav- 
ens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast 
the confession; 1.5 for we have not a High 
Priest, unable to sympathize with our in- 
firmities, but One Who hath been tempted 
in all points like as vie^ apart from sin. 16 
Let us, therefore, come with boldness to 
the throne of grace, that we may receive 
mercy, and find grace for seasonable help. 



11 Give diligence to enter into that rest; this rest must 
be entered upon in this present lite, if we would enjoy it in 
the life to come. We dare not defer, till death, our enter- 
ing upon this rest; for it begins in this life, and is perpet- 
uated in all eternity. 

12 The word of God; all His teachings, In the law and in 
the Gospel. Living; not a dead letter, but full of life. 
Effectual; powerful in its effects. Sharper than a two- 
edged sword; Eph. 6:17; Rev. 1:16; 19:15. A dividing of 
soul cmd spirit; the word, accompanied by the Holy Spirit, 
uncovers and reveals the evils of the soul and of the spirit ; 
showing what belongs to the one, and what to the other. 
Able to discern the thoughts and intents of the heart; the 
word lays open the secret thoughts, motives, and desires of 
the heart, (Rom. 7:7). 



4 The confession; the confession of our faith in Christ. 

5 Temptedin all points, lilte as we; though Jesus had 
no sin or evil in Him, yet He was tested, or tried, along all 

ines, as we are. Satan tested Him in His bodily appetite 
(for He was hungry) ; then along the line of His soul-life, 
appealing to the desires of the "eyes" ; and, finally, he test- 
ed His spiritual nature, appealing to His (supposed) pride, 
ambition, etc. Happily for our race, Satan found nothing 
in the nature of Jesus, that was responsive to his testings. 
Satan tested Eve along these three lines, and she fell in all 
of them. 

The throne of grace; the Father is on His throne dis- 
pensing blessings to our fallen race, through His Son, our 
Redeemer, and Savior; dealing with us, not according to 
our merit, but according to the Infinite merit of His Son 



CHAPTEE V. 

1 For every high priest, taken from 
among men, is appointed in behalf of men 
in the things pertaining to God, that he 
may offer both gifts and sacrifices for 
sins; 2 able to bear with the ignorant 
and erring, since he himself also is encom- 
passed with infirmity; 3 and, on account 
of it, he ought, as for the people, so also 
for himself, to make offering for sins. '4 
And no one takes the honor to himself, 
but, when called by God, as was also 
Aaron. 6 Thus Christ also glorified not 
Himself to become a high priest, but He 
Who spake to Him, ' ' Thou art My Son, 
this day have I begotten Thee";^ 6 as 
also, in another place^ He saith, "Thou 
art a Priest forever according to the rank 



of Melchizedek"; 7 Who, in the days of 
His flesh, having offered up prayers and 
supplications with strong crying and tears 
to Him Who was able to save Him from 
death, and having been heard by reason 
of His godly fear, 8 though He was a 
Son, learned obedience from the things 
which He suffered; 9 and, having been 
made perfect. He became the Author of 
eternal life to all who obey Him; 10 hav- 
ing been addressed by God as "High 
Priest according to the rank of Melchiz- 
edek." 

11 Concerning Whom we have much^ to 
say and difficult to explain, since ye have 
become dull of hearing. 12 For even 
when, on account of the time, ye ought 



1 Gr. Much is the discourse. 



NOTES ON CHAPTER V. 
1 In behalf of men: for the benefit of men, spiritually. 

3 On account of it; on account of his infirmity. Earthly 
priests were sinners, and needed to have their sins for- 
given, (Lev. 9:7). 

4 This honor: the honor of the priesthood. 

5 Thou art My Son; Psa, 2:7. The Sonship of Christ 
here includes His priesthood. 

6 Another place; Psa. 110:4. 

7 Having offered up prayers; yLM\..2(>:i^iZ. Having been 
heard; the Father answered the Savior's prayer, in be 
stowing upon Him all that He needed to prepare Him for 
His trial and crucifixion, (Luke 22:43). 



8 Learned ohedience; Gr. learned the obedience— the 
obedience necessary to fit Him to succor those who are, 
likewise, in sore trial. 

9 Having been made perfect; having triumphantly en- 
dured all His trials and sufferings. He became perfect as 
our Savior and Pattern. 

U Difficult to explain; so that they might understand it. 
Dull of hearing: slow to apprehend the meaning of what 
he was saying. 

12 On account Of the time; on account of the length of 
the time since they accepted Christ as their Savior. Milk; 
the simplest food— such as is fitted for babes, (I Cor. 3:2). 



HEBREWS 



327 



to be teachers, ye again have need that 
some one teach you the first elements of 
the oracles of God, and have become such 
as have need of milk, and not of solid 
food; 13 for every one who partakes of 



milk is inexperienced in the word of right- 
eousness, for he is a babe; 14 but solid 
food is for full-grown men, who by prac- 
tice have their senses trained for the dis- 
cernment both of good and evil. 



13 Inexperienced in the word of riohteousness; having 
very little knowledge of the character and work of Christ 
and the way of salvation through Him. There are millions 
of such " habes " now who need to be helped. 



14 Solid food; the higher truths of the Gospel; such as 
the Spirit-filled life, the enthroned Christ, holiness, or 
healing of spirit, soul, and body. For the discernment; for 
distinguishing between good and evil. 



CHAPTEE VI. 

1 Wherefore, leaving the word of the 
beginning of Christ, let us press on to ma 
turit.y, not laying again a foundation of 
repentance from dead works and of faith 
toward God, 2 of the teaching of immer- 
sions, and la.ying on of hands, of a resur- 
rection of the dead, and eternal judgment. 
3 And this will we do, if, indeed, God 
permit. 4 For as to those who were once 
enlightened, and tasted of the heavenl.y 
gift, and became partakers of the the Holy 
Spirit, 5 and tasted the good word of 
God and the powers of the coming age, 6 
and then fell away, it is impossible to re- 
new them again to repentance, since they 
are crucifying to themselves the Son of 
God afresh, and putting Him to open 
shame. 7 For the land which drank in the 
rain that often comes upon it, and brings 
forth an herb fit for those for whose sake 
also it is cultivated, receives blessing from 
God; 8 but, if it bears thorns and thistles. 



it is rejected,^ and is near to a curse; whose 
end is to be burned.^ 

9 But, beloved, we have become per- 
suaded better things concerning you, 
and things accompanying salvation, even 
though we thus speak; 10 for God is not 
unrighteous to forget your work, and the 
love which ye showed toward His name, in 
having ministered to the saints, and still 
ministering. 11 And we desire that each 
of you show forth the same diligence to the 
full assurance of the hope to the end; 12 
that ye may not become slothful, but imi- 
tators of those who, through faith and 
long-suffering, inherit the promises. 13 
For God, when making a promise to Abra- 
ham, since he had no one greater by whom 
to swear, swore b.y Himself, 14 saying, 
'Surely, blessing, I will bless you; and 
multiplying, I will multiply you." 15 
And thus, having patiently endured, he 
obtained the promise. 16 For men swear 
by the greater; and the oath for confir- 
mation is an end, to them, of every dis- 



1 Or, disapproved. 2 Gr. For burning. 



NOTES ON CHAPTER VI. 

1 The word of the heginning of Christ; meaning the first 
principles, or rudiments, of the Gospel. To maturity; so 
as to become fuUgrown, (Eph. 4:13-15.) A foundation of 
repentance; they were not to bring up again the past which 
they had once put under the blood. All the things speci- 
fied in vs. 1 and 2 are important, but we should not take 
up all our time in considering them, but we should go on 
to deal with the more advanced truths and provisions of 
the Gospel. 

3 This will we do; we will travel steadily on toward 
maturity, or perfection of the Christian life, (Phil. 3:14). 

4-6 The character here brought to view is certainly a 
■Christian; and it contains a most solemn warning to all 
Christians to beware of falling away. 

4 Enlightened; by the Holy Spirit, to see the evil of sin, 
and the way of deliverance through Christ. The heavenly 
gift: eternal life in Christ, (John 10:28). Partakers of the 
Holy Spirit; partakers of His fellowship and gifts, (I Cor. 
12:4-11). 

5 Tcbsted of the good word of Ood; experienced some of 
its power and excellency, (Pss. 19:10; 119:72, 127). The 
■powers of the coming age; meaning, likely, blessed fore- 
tastes of Heaven. 



6 Fell away; renounced Christianity, and turned away 
from Christ. Should one do this, he would be lost with- 
out remedy. That one who has been truly born of the 
Spirit should do this, is, to some, insupposable ; but Paul 
supposes such a case, and we would all do well to heed the 



The illustration in this verse emphasizes the forego- 
ing teaching, by suggesting that such apostates will find 
their final doom in the fires of perdition. Receives blessing 
from God; making it more fruitful, (Mark 4:25). 

Better things; the writer of this epistle was persuaded 
that those to whom he was especially writing did not be- 
long to the apostate class. 

10 Ood is not unrighteous; He would not fail to reward 
them for all their kindness to His people, (Matt. 10:41, 42). 
The same diligence; as that referred to in v. 10. To 
the full assurance of the hope; this expresses the objector 
end had in view by our Christian diligence, and which it 
secures. 

12 Imitators of those: ch. 11:32-40. 

13 Made promise to Abraham; Gen. 22:16-18. 

15 Obtained the promise; Gen. 12:1-3; 15:5-11; 17:1-16; 
:10; 21:1,2. 

16 The oath for confirmation; the oath gives confidence, 
and puts an end to dispute. 



328 



HEBREWS 



pute: 17 wherein God, more abundantly 
willing to show to the heirs of the promise 
the immutability of His counsel, inter 
posed " with an oath; 18 that, through two 
immutable facts, in which it is impossible 
that God should lie, we may have strong 



Gr. Mediated. 



encouragement, who fled for refuge to lay- 
hold of the hope set before us; 19 which 
we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure 
and firm, and entering into the place within 
the veil; 20 where, as Forerunner in our 
behalf, Jesus entered, having become a 
High Priest forever, according to the rank 
of Melchizedek. 



17 Wherein; viz.. in the matter of ending disputes by 
an oatli. 

18 Two immutable facts; God's promise and His oath 
Impossible; God's veracity and holiness make it impossible 
for Him to lie. The hope set before us; the hope of Heaven, 

19 Enteringintotheplacewithinth6veil;alluAineto "the 



Holy of Holies "—which points to Heaven itself. Hope 
serves to hold the soul steady amid the trials of life, even 
as an anchor does a ship. 

20 As Fore-runner in our behalf; Jesus has entered 
Heaven in our behalf, and He is concerned for the highest 
good of His disciples, -whose interests He there represents. 



CHAPTER VII. 

1 For this Melchizedek, king of Salem, 
priest of the Most High God, who met 
Abraham returning from the slaughter of 
the kings, and blessed him, 2 to whom 
also Abraham apportioned a tenth of all 
(first, indeed, interpreted as "King of 
Righteousness," and then also "King of 
Salem" — which is king of peace; 3 with 
out father, without mother, without gene 
alogy, having neither beginning of days 
nor end of life, but made like to the Son 
of God), abides a priest continually. 

4 Now consider how great this man was, 
to whom Abraham the patriarch gave a 
tenth of the chief spoils. 5 And those, 
indeed, from among the sons of Levi, who 
receive the priesthood, have a command- 
ment to take tithes of the people according 
to the law, that is, of their brethren; 6 but 
he whose genealogy is not reckoned from 
them has taken tithes of Abraham, and 
has blessed him who had the promises. 7 



And, without any dispute, the less is 
blessed by the better. 8 And here, indeed, 
men who die receive tithes; but there, 
07ie received them who receives witness 
that he lives. 9 And, so to speak, ^ through 
Abraham even Levi, who takes tithes, has 
paid tithes; 10 for he was yet in the loins 
of his father, when Melchizedek met him. 
11 If, indeed, therefore, there was per- 
fection through the Levitical priesthood 
(for upon it the people have received the 
law), what further need vms there, that 
another Priest should arise according to 
the rank of Melchizedek, and not be reck- 
oned according to the rank of Aaron ? 12 
For, the priesthood being changed, there 
is made, of necessity, a change of law also. 
13 .For He of Whom these things are 
spoken hath taken part in a different tribe 
from which no one gave attendance at the 
altar. 14 For it is evident that our Lord 
hath sprung out of Judah, respecting 
which tribe Moses spake nothing concern- 



Gr. So to speak a word. 



NOTES ON CHAPTER VII. 

1 Melchizedek; this unique person seems to have been 
appointed as a most perfect type of Christ in His priestly 
office. Met Abraham; Gen. 14:18, 19. 

2 King of Blohteousness; this is the meaning of the He- 
brew word. Melchizedek. Salem; peace. Hence, both in 
his name and in his place of residence, Melchizedek was a 
suitable type of the "Prince of Peace," (Isa. 9:6; 11:4, 5; 
32:1). 

3 Without father; so far as the record goes. The in- 
spired writer was led to omit all mention of everything 
that would identify Melchizedek as a man. This pictures 
Christ as coming into His priestly oface without any pred- 
ecessor or successor. 

4 How great this man was; see vs. 6 and 7 and notes. 

5 Commandment to take tithes; Num. 18:21-32. 

6 He whose oenealooy is not reckoned from, them; Mel- 
chizedek did not descend from the stock of Abraham. Se- 
ceived tithes of Abraham; Abraham gave him a tenth of 
the spoils he had captured from the kings; which was an 
admission that Melchizedek was his superior. 



The less; Abraham. The better; Melchizedelc 
Men that die; the Jewish priests. He lives; Melchize- 
dek's death was not mentioned. The last note made of 
him was while he was still living; in this circumstance 
Melchizedek's priesthood was a more exact type of Christ's 
than that of the Jewish priests. Melchizedek is described 
in terms that, in the exact sense, were true of Christ only. 

9 Even Levi; the Levitical priests, who were descend- 
ants of Abraham, paid tithes to Melchizedek in Abraham. 
Jf there was perfection; if perfection had come 
through the Levitical priesthood, there would have been 
need for no other — not even for that of Christ Himself, 
Upon it; the Mosaic law and the Levitical priesthood stood 
together, so that, when one was changed or annulled, the 
other would be also. The priesthood being set aside by 
the coming of Christ, the Mosaic law, also, must pass 
away. 

13 He; Christ, spoken of in Ps. 110:4. Hath taken part 

a different tribe; a tribe other than that of Levi, from 

hich the Jewish priests were taken. 



HEBREWS 



329 



ing priests. 15 And it is yet far more 
evident; if, according to the likeness of 
Melcbizedek, there arises another Priest, 
16 Who hath been made Priest, not ac- 
cording to a law of a carnal command- 
ment, but according to the power of an 
endless life; 17 for it is testified of Him., 
"Thou art a Priest forever according to 
the rank of Melchizedek." 18 For, in- 
deed, there comes an annulling of a prev- 
ious commandment, on account of its 
weakness and unprofitableness (19 for the 
law perfected nothing), and a bringing in 
of a better hope, through which we draw 
near to God. 20 And inasmuch as it ims 
not without the taking of an oath (21 for 
they, indeed, have been made priests with- 
out an oath; but He with an oath through 
Him Who said to Him, "The Lord swore 
and will not repent, 'Thou art a Priest 
forever'"); 22 by so much also hath 



Jesus become the surety of a better cove- 
nant. 23 And they, indeed, have been 
made priests many in number, because by 
death they are hindered from continuing; 
21: but He, because of His abiding for- 
ever, hath His priesthood unchangeable. 
25 Whence also He is able to save com- 
pletely those who come to God through 
Him, since He is ever living to intercede 
their behalf. 26 For such a High 
Priest was befitting us, holy, harmless, 
undefiled, separated from sinners, and 
made higher than the heavens; 27 Who 
hath no necessity daily, as the high priests, 
to offer up sacrifices, first for His own sins, 
and then for those of the people (for this 
He did once for all, when He offered up 
Himself); 28 for the law constitutes men 
high priests who have infirmity, but the 
word of the oath, which was after the law, 
constitutes the Son perfected forever. 



15 It is far more evident; viz., that there is a change of 
priesthood, and. with it. a change also of economy. 

16 Carnal commandment; according to the law regulat- 
ing the animal and other sacrifices— which were types of 
Christ, (see chs. 9:9. 10; 10:4). The power of an endless 
life; with an efacacious priesthood that brought with it 
everlasting life. 

18 Aimttina away; of the old priesthood and ritual. 

19 The law perfected nothing; the law, whether cere- 
monial or moral, could not perfect character. It was only 
a type of Christ. Abringing in of a better hope; through 
the Gospel of Christ. 

20, 31. The superiority of Christ's priesthood is further 
shown by the fact, that while Jewish priests were made 
such without an oath, Christ was made Priest on the oath 
of the Father. 

23 Surety; one who becomes responsible for the fulfill- 
ment of a covenant. Christ became Surety for sinners, and 
paid the forfeit of His life for their release. All the sins 
of believers are referred to their Surety. 

23, 24 The final argument for the superiority of Chri 



priesthood over the Levitioal is seen in the fact that while 
the latter was often changing. His is perpetual. 

25 To save completely; to the uttermost, to the end. 
Who come to God through Him; He is the only way that 
eads the sinner to God (John 14:6), and He saves all who 
come to God in this way. 

Was becoming us; was needed by us, and such a One 
alone could meet our needs. Made higher than the heavens; 
where He now ministers before the Father in the interest 
of His followers, (see ohs. 8:1. 3, 4; 9:24; I John 2:1). Jesus 
, as to His entire being— divine and human— always 
holy, harmless, vndefiled. and separated from sinners. Had 

been otherwise. He would have needed a Savior. 

!7 This He did once for all; when He died on the cross 
because of the sins that He had assumed. His one death 
was all that was needed to put away sin. (ch. 9:36). Hence 
it needed no repetition. His one offering was enough for 
all time. Of course. He did not suffer for Himself, as He 
had no sin of His own; but His sufferings were entirely 
vicarious. 

28 Perfected forever: perfected as a High Priest, (chs. 
2:10; 5:9). 



CHAPTER VIII. 

1 Now as a main point to the things be- 
ing spoken, we have such a High Priest, 
Who sat down on the right hand of the 
throne of the Majesty in Heaven, 2 
Minister of the holy ■places, and of the true 
tabernacle, which the Lord pitched, not 
man. 3 For every high priest is appointed 



to offer both gifts and sacrifices; where- 
fore, it is necessary that This One also 
have something which He may offer. 4 
If, indeed, therefore. He were on earth, 
He would not be a priest, since there are 
those offering th^i gifts according to the 
law, 5 who, indeed, serve in the copy 
and shadow of the heavenly things, as 
Mosos has been divinely warned, when 



NOTES ON CHAPTER VIII. 

2 The true tabernacle; the heavenly sanctuary, of which 
the earthly was only a type, (v. 5). 

3 Tfiat T/iis 0?ie; Christ. Have something He may off er ; 
as every priest had to make an offering, so Jesus must 
make His offering. He offered Himself, (ch. 9:26). 

4 Not a priest; He could not officiate as priest under the 
Mosaic law, because he was not of the tribe of Levi. But. 



having offered Himself as a sacrifice. He ascended to 
Heaven, where He is still attending to His priestly func- 
tions, (ch. 9:12). 

5 Serve in a copy and shadow; the priestly ministra- 
tions were but a copy or shadow of the things to be carried 
out by Jesus in Heaven. A.sMoses; Ex. 25:40. God showed 
Moses a pattern or model of the tabernacle, and required, 
him to make it according to the model. 



330 



HEBREWS 



about to make the tabernacle; for "See,' 
saith He, "that you make all things ac 
cording to the pattern which was showed 
you in the mount"; 6 but now he hath 
obtained a more excellent ministry, by as 
much also aa He is Mediator of a better 
covenant, which, indeed, has been enacted 
on better promises. 7 For, if that first 
covenant had been faultless, place would 
not be sought for a second; 8 for, finding 
fault with them. He saith, "Behold, th 
days are coming, saith the Lord, when 
I will make a new covenant with the house 
of Israel, and the house of Judah; 9 not 
according to the covenant which I made 
with their fathers in the day when I took 
them by the hand to lead them out of th 
land of Egypt; because they continued not 
in My covenant, and I regarded them not. 



saith the Lord. 10 Because this is the 
covenant which I will make with the house 
of Israel after those days, saith the Lord: 
Putting My laws into their mind, I will 
also write them upon their hearts, and I 
will be to them a God, and they shall' be 
to Me a people; 11 and they shall in no 
wise teach each one his fellow- citizen, and 
each one his brother, saying, 'Know the 
Lord'; because all shall know Me, from a 
small one to a great one of them; 12 be- 
cause I will be merciful to their unright- 
eousness, and I will remember their sins 
no more." 13 In that He saith, "A new 
covenant,'''' He hath made the first old; but 
the thing that is becoming old,^ and is 
wearing out with age, is near vanishing 
away.'^ 



1 Or, rendered obsolete. 2 Or, destruction. 



6 lie; Christ. A more excellent ministry : than the Jew- 
ish priests had. Better covenant: than that given on Sinai 
Better promises: bringing in greater blessings. 

7 First covenant; given on Sinai. The second; the Gos- 
pel. 

8 Finding fault vrith them; that is, with the Jews who 
lived under the first covenant. Be saith; Jer. 31 :31-34. 

10 Putting My laws in their viind; a prophecy of what 
is accomplished in regeneration, when the believer's mind 



and heart are deeply imbued with the spirit of obedience. 
(Rom. 8:3, 4). 

11 All shall know Me; a promise to be realized more 
fully in the Millennium, (Isa. 11:9; Hab. 3:14). 

12 Merciful: under the Gospel. God displays His mercy 
in pardoning all the sins of the truly penitent, who base 
their plea for pardon on the vicarious sufferings of Christ. 

13 Is near vanishing away; meaning that the first cove- 
nant of works, or of law, having served its purpose, is now 
ready to disappear. 



CHAPTER IX. 

1 Indeed, therefore, the first covenant 
used to have ordinances of divine service, 
and the sanctuary pertaining to the world. 
2 For a tabernacle was prepared; the first, 
in which were both the lamp-stand and the 
table, and the show-bread,^ which, indeed, 
is called "Holy;" 3 and, after the second 
veil, a tabernacle which is called the "Holy 
of Holies;" 4 having a golden censer,^ 
and the ark of the covenant overlaid on 
every side with gold, in which was a golden 



1 Gr. The setting forth oftUe loaves. 2 Ox, altar of i 
cense. * 



pot containing the manna, and Aaron's rod 
that budded, and the tables of the covenant; 
5 and over it Cherubim of glory over- 
shadowing the mercy-seat;^ concerning 
which things we cannot now speak in de- 
tail. 

6 Now, these things having been thus 
prepared, the priests go continually into 
the first tabernacle, accomplishing the serv- 
ices; 7 but into the second, the high 
priest alone, once a year, not without 
blood, which he offers for himself and for 
the ignorances* of the people ; 8 the Holy 



3 Or. the propitiatorv, 4 Or. sins of ionoranee. 



NOTES ON CHAPTER IX. 



1 The priestly services under the first covenant are here 
contrasted with the perfect services of Christ, as Mediator 
of the new covenant. 

2 Tabernacle; Ex. ch. 26. 

3 Second veil; that separated the Most Holy from the 
Holy Place. (Ex. 26:31-33). The first veil served as a shut- 
ter for the outer door of the tabernacle, (vs. 36, 37). 

4 A golden censer; in which the high priest burned in- 
cense within the veil, (Lev. 16:12. 13). The ark; Ex. 25:10- 
16. The golden pot; Ex. 16:33, 34. Aaron's rod; Num. 
17:5.8, 10. Tables of the covenant; on which the ten com- 
mandments were written, (Ex. 25:21; 40:20). When Solo- 
mon moved the arlt into the temple, he found nothing in 
it but these two tables, (I Kings 8:9; II Chron. 5:10). 



5 CAeruStm; Ex. 25:18, 22. 

6 Continually; daily, or habitually. This was called 
the Holy Place. 

7 The second; second apartment, called " the Holy of 
Holies." Once a year; only on one day in each year. 
Blood; the blood of the animals offered in sacrifice. One 
has a beautiful realization of what was typified by " the 
Holy of Holies." when, after a full surrender of himself to 
God. he realizes the infilling of the Holy Spirit ; and through 
the infilling Spirit, comes into conscious union with Christ 
enthroned within his heart; and. later, is brought into con- 
scious fellowship with the Father also, (I John 1 :3; John 
14:23) ; thus living, habitually, what is called the Trinity- 
filled life. (Eph. 3:16-19). 



HEBREWS 



331 



Spirit signifying this, that the way into the 
Holies has not yet been made manifest, 
while the first tabernacle is yet standing; 
9 which, indeed, is a figure for the time 
present, according to which are offered 
both gifts and sacrifices, which cannot, as 
to the conscience, make the worshiper per- 
fect; 10 being only (with meats and drinks 
and various immersions) ordinances of the 
flesh, imposed until a time of reformation. 
II But Christ, having come as a High 
Priest of the good things to come, through 
the greater and more perfect tabernacle, 
not made by hand (that is, not of this 
creation), 12 nor yet through the blood 
of goats and calves, but through His own 
blood, entered, once for all, into the Holies, 
having obtained eternal redemption. 13 
For, if the blood of goats and bulls, and 
the ashes of a heifer sprinkling those who 
have been defiled, sanctifies to the purifica- 
tion of the flesh; 14 how much more shall 
the blood of Christ, Who through the 
Eternal Spirit offered Himself without 
blemish to God, cleanse your conscience 
from dead works to serve the living God? 
15 And, for this cause. He is the Mediator 
of a new covenant, that, death having taken 
place for redemption from the transgres- 
sions against the first covenant, those who 
have been called may receive the promise 
of the eternal inheritance. 16 For where 
there is a testament, there is a necessity 
that the death of the testator' be brought 



5 Gr. Him who made the covenant. 



m. 17 For a testament over dead persons 
is of force; since it is never valid while the 
testator is living. 18 Wherefore, not even 
has the first covenmit been dedicated with- 
out blood; 19 for, when every command- 
ment had been spoken by Moses to all the 
people according to the law, taking the 
blood of the calves and of the goats, with 
water, and scarlet wool, and hyssop, he 
sprinkled both the book itself and all the 
people, 20 saying, "This is the blood of 
the covenant which God commanded in 
respect to you." 21 Moreover, both the 
tabernacle and all the vessels of the service, 
he sprinkled in like manner with the blood. 
22 And nearly all things are cleansed, ac- 
cording to the law, with blood; and apart 
from shedding of blood there is no remis- 
sion. 23 There was, therefore, a necessity 
that the copies of the things in Heaven 
should be cleansed with these; but the 
heavenly things themselves, with better 
sacrifices than these. 24 For Christ en- 
tered not into \^o\}f places made with hand, 
patterns of the true; but into Heaven itself, 
now to appear in the presence of God in 
our behalf; 25 nor yet, that He should 
many times offer Himself, as the high 
priest enters into the Holies every year 
with blood not His own; 26 else had it 
been needful for Him ofttimes to suffer 
since the founding of a world; but now, 
once for all, at the end of the ages. He hath 
been manifested for the putting away of 



8 The way into the Holies: into God's presence. God 
met the priests and communed with them at the mercy 
seat, between the Cherubim; but a veil shut out the view 
ol Him from the people. This veil was rent when Christ 
died; and now all true believers are constituted a " royal 
priesthood." having admission, through Christ's blood, 
into the Holy of Holies. The first tabernacle; made un 
der the direction of Moses, and representing the whole 
Mosaic dispensation. WTien the veil of the temple was 
rent at the death of Christ, the Mosaic dispensation was 
fulfilled, and passed away. 

9 A floure: a type of the good things to come under the 
Christian dispensation. As to the conscience; the offerings 
under the law gave ceremonial cleansing, but did- not 
reach the conscience, so as to remove guilt. 

10 Reformation; the new order of things under the 
Gospel. 

11 Good things to come; under the Gospel— which things 
were typified in the Mosaic economy. Greater and mon 
perfect tabernacle; Heaven itself, where Christ now repre^ 
sents His people. 

1 3 A»hes of a heifzr; Num. 19. To the puHficatinn of the 

h; the removal of ceremonial defilement under the law 

f Moses. 



Cleanse your conscience; from all taint of sin, and en- 
able you to worship God in spirit and in truth. 

15 For this cause; in view of the superior efScacy of His 
blood. T7i6 new covenant; the words, covenant and testa- 
ment, are both from the same Greek word. The new cov- 
enant of which Christ is Mediator, is also a testament, 
when we view it as ratified by His expiatory death 
on the cross. For the redemption from the transgres- 
sions; for their forgiveness through the payment of the 
ransom. 

18 T7!e^rsf couenant; that established at Sinai. With- 
out hlood; it was ratified by the blood of the sacrifice which 
typified Christ, Who ratified the second covenant with His 
own blood. 

19 When Moses had spoken; Ex. 24:4-11. 

21 Sprinkled . . . all the vessels: Ex. 29:12, 20, 36. 

22 Cleansed; Lev. 4:20,26.35; 17:11. 

23 Copies: patterns of the heavenly. Better sacrifices; 
meaning the blood of Christ, which cleanses all true be- 
lievers from sin. 

26 Since a founding of a world; the Greek word Kata- 
bolee, translated foundation, means, more literally, a cast- 
ing down; then the casting down of the world, it seems, 
(might refer to the fall of man. or the putting of the earth 



332 



HEBREWS 



sin through the sacrifice of Himself." 27 
And inasmuch as it is appointed to men 
once to die, but after this comes judgment; 
28 so also Christ, having once for all been 



offered to bear the sins of many, will, to 
those who are eagerly waiting for Him, 
appear a second time apart from sin, unto'' 
salvation. 



6 Or. through Bis sacrifice. 



7 Or. for. 



under the curse of sin as the result of Adam's fall. This 
seems the more reasonable as the introduction of sin into 
the world constituted the only ground for any sacrifice on 
its account. If Christ, after the manner of the Mosaic 
priests, had offered His sacrifice daily, there would have 
been many occasions for His dying. But there was no 
need of sacrifice, till sin was introduced; and sin, of the 
type that admits of atonement, was introduced into our 
world by the fall of our first parents in Eden, (Gen. 3:1-9). 



27 Appointed to men once to die; the one death of the 
redeemed accords with the one death of their Redeemer. 

28 To hear the sins of many; to bear away the sins of alL 
who accept Him, and to put them away by His own sacri- 
fice in their behalf, (I Peter 2:24; 3:18; II Cor. 5:21). Thos& 
who are eagerly waiting for Him; those who are eagerly 
waiting for His second coming. Without sin: without any 
reference to bearing sin any more, as He did on the cross, 
but to give His followers full and everlasting salvation. 



CHAPTER X. 

1 For the law, having a shadow of the 
good things to come, not the very like- 
ness of the things, can never with the 
same sacrifices, which they offer year by 
year continually, perfect those who come 
to them; 2 else would they not have 
ceased to be offered? because the worship- 
ers, having been cleansed once for all, 
would have had no more conscience of 
sins. 3 But in these sacrifices there is a 
remembrance of sins year by year; 4 for 
it is impossible that the blood of bulls and 
of goats should take away sins. 5 Where- 
fore, coming into the world. He saith, 
"Sacrifice and offering Thou didst not 
wish, but a body didst Thou prepare for 
Me; 6 in whole burnt-offerings and sac- 
rifices for sin Thou hadst no pleasure. 7 
Then said I, ' Lo, I come (in the volume 
of the book it has been written concerning 
Me), to do Thy will, O God.'" 

8 Saying above, ^ "Sacrifices and offer- 
ings and whole burnt-offerings and offer- 
ings for sin," Thou didst not wish; neither 



NOTES ON CHAPTER X. 

1 The law: the ceremonial law, or Jewish economy. A 
shadow; an emblem of future blessings. Can never . . . 
perfect: that is, the sacrifices under the law could never 
perfect the conscience, by the removal of sin. 
, 3 A remembrance of sins year hy year; proving that the 
guilt of sin was not removed by the offerings. 

4 Blood of bulls and goats; this could not take away 
sin; but. doubtless, all who looked through these offerings 
to the crucified One, and saw in Him their Sin-bearer, re- 
ceived pardon. 

5 Se; Jesus Christ. Sacrifice and offering; such as were 
made under the law. (Psa. 40:6-8) ; a Psalm which had its 
highest fulfillment in Christ. A body didst Thou prepare 
for Me; a body for sacrifice, a body to die on the cross for 
men. 



hadst pleasure therein, which, indeed, are 
offered according to the law, 9 then hath 
He said, "Lo, I have come to do Thy 
will." He taketh away the first, that He 
may establish the second: 10 in which 
will we have been sanctified through the 
offering of the body of Jesus Christ once 
for all. 

11 And every priest, indeed, stands 
daily ministering, and ofttimes offering 
the same sacrifices, which can never take 
away sins; 13 but This Man, having of- 
fered one sacrifice for sins forever, sat 
down on the right hand of God; 13 from 
henceforth awaiting until His foes shall be 
placed as a footstool for His feet. 14 For 
by one offering He hath perfected forevei 
those who are being sanctified. 15 And 
the Holy Spirit also testifieth to us; for 
after He had said, 16 "This is the cove- 
nant that I will covenant with them after 
those days," saith the Lord, "Putting my 
laws on their hearts, I will also write 
them upon their mind; 17 and their sins 
and their iniquities I will in nowise re- 
member any more." 18 But where there 

7 In the volume of the hook; in the Scriptures of the 
Old Testament. 

8 Sayii\g above; in v. 5. 

9 The fir^t; the sacrifices under the law. The second; 
Christ offering Himself as a sacrifice to put away sin. 

10 In which will; that is. in the will of God as executed 
in the death of Christ. The death of Christ in behalf of 
man gives him judicial sayictification. 

11 Ofttimes; morning and evening. 

12 Tliis One; Christ. On the right hand of Ood; where 
Jesus is seated as the believer's Repre.sentative, thus 
proving that His sacrifice for sin was accepted by the 
Father. 

15 The Holy Spirit also testifieth to us; of the great 
truths above stated, as in Jer. 31:33, 34; Ezek. 36:26, 27; or 
it may refer to the direct testimony of the Starit, (Rom. 
8:1-6). 



HEBREWS 



is remission of these, tliere is no longer an 
offering for sin. 

19 Having, therefore, brethren, bold- 
ness for the entrance into the holy places 
by the blood of Jesus, 20 which He dedi- 
cated for us, a new and living way, through 
the veil, that is, His flesh; 21 and, luw- 
ing a Great Priest over the house of Grod; 
S2 let us approach with a true heart in 
full assurance of faith, having had our 
hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, 
and our body washed with pure water, 23, 
let us hold fast the confession of the hope 
without wavering (for faithful is He 
Who promised); 24 and let us consider 
one another, to incite to love and good 
works; 25 not forsaking the gathering of 
ourselves together, as is the custom of 
some, but exhorting, and so much the 
more as ye see the day approaching. 26 
For, if we sin wilfully after we received 
the full knowledge of the truth, there no 
longer remains a sacrifice for sins, 27 but 
a certain fearful expectation of judgment 
and fierceness of fire about to devour the 
opposers. 28 Anyone, having set aside 
Moses', law, dies without mercy on the tes- 
timony of two or three witnesses;_ 29 of 
how much worse punishment, think ye, 
shall he be accounted worthy, who tram- 
pled under foot the Son of God, and ac 



counted the blood of the covenant with 
which He was sanctified an unholy '^ thing, 
and treated with contempt the Spirit of 
ce? 30 For we know Him Who said, 
"To Me lelongs vengeance; I will rec- 
ompense," saith the Lord; and again, 

The Lord will judge His people." 31 
It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands 
of the living God! 

32 But call to remembrance the former 
days, in which, after ye were enlightened, 
ye endured a great conflict of sufferings; 
33 partly, indeed, when ye were made a 
spectacle both with reproaches and tribu- 
lations; and partly, when ye became par- 
takers with those who were so used; 34 
for ye both sympathized with those in 
bonds, and took joyfully the spoiling of 
your possessions; knowing that ye your- 
selves have a better possession and an 
abiding one. 

35 Cast not away, therefore, your bold- 
ness, which, indeed, has great recompense. 
For ye have need of patience, that, 
after having done the will of God, ye may 
receive the promise. 37 ' ' For yet a little 
while, how short! how short! The Coming 
One Vvdll come, and will not tarry. 



2 Gr. A common. 



18 No more offering for sin: because no more is needed 
after sin is put away. 

19 Holy places; the real presence of God. By the blood 
.0/ Jesus; which He has already presented there in our be- 
half. Beloved, do you know anything personally about 
dwelling in the Holy of Holies with Christ in the very 
-presence of the Father ? 

20 Anew and living -way; this entrance into the Holies 
is a new way, indeed, being only foreshadowed in the Mo- 
saic economy. It is also the way of life, eternal life, and 
life abounding I Dedicated for us; Christ instituted and 
dedicated this new way for us. Through the veil, that is. 
His flesh; as the earthly Holy of Holies was reached 
through the veil, so we have access to the very Presence 
of God through the veil of Christ's flesh offered to put 
away our sins. 

21 The house of God; the true Holy of Holies, where 
Christ dwells at the right hand of the Father. This house 
may also refer to, or include, the household of faith. 

22 Draw nearj to the very throne of grace. Hearts 
sprinkled . . . bodies washed; here reference is had to the 
consecration of Levitical priests by the sprinkling of 
blood and the washing of water, (Lev. 8:6, 23, 24); possi 
hly also this may refer to the " washing of regeneration," 
(Titus 3:5; I Pet. 1:2). 

23 Hold fast: by continuing steadfast in the faith and 
practice of the Gospel. 

24 To incite to love and good works; to stimulate and en 
courage them to these things. 



25 The gathering of ourselves together; for the public 
worship of God, The day approaching; the day of Christ's 
coming to reward His friends. 

26 Sin wilfully; by renouncing the Gospel, after once 
having embraced it, (ch. 6:4-8). No other atonement will 
ever be made; and, if a person repudiates the one Christ 
has made, he is left in his sins without any remedy. 

28 Died without mercy; Deut. 13:6-10. 

29 Shall be accounted worthy; who, after having ac- 
cepted Christ, turns away from Him, and treats Him as a 
vile person, and spurns the influence of the Spirit. 

30 To Me belongs vengeance; Deut. 32:35. 

31 It is a fearful thing; to fall into the hands of God 
out of Christ, (ch. 12:29; Deut. 4:24). 

32 A great conflict of sufferings; in the bitter persecu- 
tions they had suffered for their loyalty to Christ. 

34 Took joyfully the spoiling of your possessions; besides 
being otherwise cruelly treated, the early Christians were 
despoiled of their possessions. 

35 Boldness; confidence or assurance in the ability and 
willingness of Christ to deliver, support, and save. G-reat 
recompense; in victory in this life, and eternal blessedness 
in Heaven. 

36 Patience; after having done the will of God, we need 
to endure uncomplainingly all that falls to our lot. The 
promise; eternal life. 

37 The Coming One; Christ. 



334 



HEBREWS 



38 "But My righteous one shall live by 
faith, and, if he draw back, My soul has 
no pleasure in him." 



39 But we are not of those who draw'' 
back to destruction; but of those who 
believe* to the saving of the soul. 



Gr. Wearenotofadrawinoback. 4 Gr. Butof faith. 



38 My rigMenus one sliallUve'bv faith; 'Ra.\i.2:i. Draw 
back; give up confidence in Christ, and deny Him to save 
one's self from persecution and death. No pleasure in 



him; God abhors the Christian who will not stand perse- 
cution for His Son's sake. 
39 TFe; true believers. 



CHAPTER XI. 

1 Now faith is an assurance ^ of things 
hoped for, a sure persuasion^ of things not 
seen; 2 for in this the elders were well 
reported of. 3 By faith we perceive that 
the ages have been constituted by the word 
of God, so that what is seen has not arisen 
out of things that appear. 4 By faith 
Abel offered to God a more excellent sac- 
rifice than Cain, through which he received 
witness that he was righteous, God testi- 
fying of his gifts; and~through it he, being 
dead, is still speaking. 5 By faith Enoch 
was translated, so as not to see death; and 
he was not found, because God translated 
him; for, it has been witnessed to him that, 
before his translation, he had been well- 
pleasing to God. 6 And, apart from faith, 
it is impossible to please Him; for he 
that comes to God must believe that He is, 
and that He becomes a rewarder to those 
who seek after Him. 7 By faith Noah, 
being divinely instructed concerning things 
not yet seen, moved with fear, prepared 
an ark for the saving of his house; through 
which he condemned the world, and be- 



came heir of the righteousness which Ls 
according to faith. 8 By faith Abraham, 
when called, obeyed to go forth into the 
place which he was about to receive for an 
inheritance; and he went forth, not know- 
ing whither he was going. 9 By faith he 
sojourned in the land of promise, as a for- 
eign land, dwelling in tents with Isaac and 
Jacob, the heirs with him of the same 
promise; 10 for he was waiting for* the 
city which has the foundations, whose 
architect and builder is God. 

11 By faith Sarah herself also received 
power to conceive* seed, even when past the 
age of child-bearing, since she accounted 
Him faithful. Who promised. 12 Where- 
fore also there sprang from one, and one 
impotent as to these things, as mam,y as 
the stars of heaven in multitude, and as 
the sand, which is by the sea-shore, in- 
numerable. 

13 These all died according to faith, not 
having obtained the promises, but having 
seen them from afar, and having greeted 
them, and having confessed that they were 
strangers and sojourners on the earth. 14 
For those who say such things make it 



Or. substance. 2 Or, proof. 



3 Oi. expecting. 4 Gr. For founAiing a seed. 



NOTES ON CHAPTER XL 

1 ^ssurorece/ substance or reality. A sure persuasion of 
things not teen; faith makes invisible things real and in- 
spiring. 

2 Well reported of; had a good report made respecting 
them; as in the many instances following in this chapter. 

3 The ages; the word seems here to include the mate- 
rial universe, and the laws controlling it. We are to 
gather from the other statements in this verse, that God 
called into existence matter, and then fashioned the uni- 
verse out of it. 

4 More excellent sacrifice; a fuller sacrifice, as contain- 
ing in itself both a thank-oflering and one of expiation 
also, since it was an animal. God bearing witness to kis 
gifts; Gen. 4:4-7. Still speaking; by his example. 

5 Enoch was translated; was removed to Heaven with- 
out seeing death. Pleased God; by walking with Him, 
and obeying Him in all things. All Christians can please 
God. if they will yield their lives wholly to Him. 

o Without faith; we can do nothing that is pleasing to 
Him. 

7 Being divinely instructed; in a vision or dream. This 
instruction related to the flood, and how he was to escape 



it. Moved with fear; because he believed God's revelation 
to him regarding the flood. (Gen. 6:14-22). Through which; 
through which faith and its fruits. Condemned the world; 
his example of faith and obedience condemned their unbe- 
lief. 

8 Not knowing where he was going; Gen. 12:1, This is a.- 
forcible illustration of a Christian when he first yields 
himself wholly to God. and starts out to follow Him: he 
has no well-known path, but simply follows where his 
Guide leads him. 

^ As a foreign land; Abraham really owned no land ex- 
cept that which he bought for a burial ground, (Gen. S3rd 
chapter). 

10 The city having the foundations; the home of all the 
saved, (ch. 12:22-24; Rev. 21:10-27). 

11 Sarah; Gen. 17:19; 21:1.2. 

12 Impotent as to these things; no longer able, in the 
natural, to become a father of children. 

13. Not having obtained the promises; not having realized 
them. Strangers and sojourners on the earth; Gen. 23:4. 
Abraham in Canaan was a type of all true Christians, wha 
are pilgrims, sojourners, and strangers in this world, 
(Gen. 47:9; I Chron. 29:15). 



HEBKEWS 



335 



manifest that they are seeking tKeir pater- 
nal home. 15 And, if, indeed, they had 
been mindful of that country from which 
they went out, they would have had op- 
portunity to return. 16 But now they 
long for a better country^ that is, a heavenly 
one; wherefore, God is not ashamed of 
them, to be called their God; for He pre- 
pared for them a city. 

17 By faith Abraham, when tried, has 
oflfered up Isaac; yea, he who gladly re- 
ceived the promises was offering up his 
only begotten son, 18 to whom it was 
said, ""In Isaac shall your" seed be called;" 
19 accounting that God is able to raise 
even from the dead; whence he did also, 
as in a figure, receive him back. 20 By 
faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau, con- 
cerning things about to be. 

21 JBy faith Jacob, when dying, blessed 
each of the sons of Joseph; and he wor- 
shiped leaning on the top of his staff. 22 
By faith Joseph, when approaching his end, 
made mention of the departure ' of the sons 
of Israel, and gave orders concerning his 
bones. 

23 By faith Moses, when born, was hid- 
den three months by his parents, because 
they saw that he was a comely child; and 
they were not afraid of the king's com- 
mand. 24 By faith Moses, when grown 



up," refused to be called son of Pharaoh's 
daughter, 25 choosing rather to suffer 
evil with the people of God, than to have 
an enjoyment of sin for a season; 26 re- 
garding the reproach of the Christ greater 
riches than the treasures of Egypt; for he 
was looking away to the recompense. 27 
By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing 
the wrath of the king; for he endured, as 
seeing Him Who is invisible. 28 By 
faith he has instituted thepassover, and the 
applying of the blood, lest the destroyer 
of the first-born should touch them. 2& 
By faith they passed through the Red Sea 
as by dry land, which the Egyptians, mak- 
ing an attempt to do, were swallowed up. 

30 By faith the walls of Jericho fell, hav- 
ing been compassed about for seven days. 

31 By faith Eahab the harlot did not 
perish with those who disbelieved; having" 
received the spies with peace. 

32 And what more am I to say? for the 
time will fail me, if I speak at length 
concerning Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jeph- 
thah, of David also, and of Samuel, and 
the prophets; 33 who, through faith, 
subdued kingdoms, wrought righteous- 
ness, obtained promises, shut tJie mouths 
of lions, 34 quenched the power of fire» 
escaped the edge of the sword, from weak- 
ness were made strong, became mighty in 
war, put to flight armies of aliens. 35 



6 Or, shall a seed be called for you. 7 The exodus. 



8 Gr. Bavina become large. 



14 Their paternal home; their natal country, which 
found in Heaven. 

16 Not ashamed; God is not ashamed to be owned as the 
God and Father of His pious, faithful children. 

17 When tried; surely that was a severe testing of his 
faith; but he was equal to it. 

19 Accounting that God is able; Abraham firmly be- 
lieved that, if, at God's command, he slew Isaac in sacri- 
fice. God would raise him up. So, when his faith had 
fully gained the victory. God provided another victim, and 
gave him back his son unharmed. 

20 Things to come: things which God had promised, and 
which Isaac expected, (Gen. %T.21-iO), 

21 Blessed both the sons of Joseph; Gen. 4&:5-20. 

22 The departure; the exodus out of Egypt, (Gen. 50: 
24, 25). 

23 A comely child; one of extraordinary brightness and 
promise. Not afraid; of the king's command to kill the 
male children; but they preserved the child by hiding him 
out. 

25 To suffer evil with the people of God; because he saw 
the blessed outcome of obedience and fidelity to God. 

26 The reproach of the Christ; the reproach which 
Christ kas always borne in the person of his covenant peo- 
ple, (Matt. 10:40; 18:5.6; Luke9:48; 10:16). Greater riches; 
the true child of God prizes the reproaches— the persecu- 



tions, the tribulations, and the worst that the world could 
do to him— as better than all the riches of Egypt. He was 
lookina away to the recompense; Moses saw the blessed re- 
ward ahead, and he looked away from his earthly hard- 
ships and sufferings to that glorious destiny awaiting him 
at the close of his earthly career, 

27 Forsooh Egypt; Ex. 12:31-51. As seeing Him Who is 
invisible; as seeing by the eye of faith Him Whom he 
could not see with his natural eyes. This is a beautiful 
illustration of the definition of faith in v. 1. 

28 The passover . . . applying of the blood; Ex. 12:21-30. 
The lamb that was slain in the passover was a type 
of Christ, the Lamb of God; and. as the blood of this 
lamb, applied to the door-posts, protected the Israelites 
from the death of the destroying angel; so the blood of 
Christ protects from eternal suffering and woe. 

29 Passed through the Red Sea; their faith protecting 
them during their passage. (Ex. 14:22-29). 

30 The walls of Jericho fell; Josh. 6:15-20. 

31 Eahab; believed that God had given Israel the coun- 
try, and God spared her, (Josh. 2:1-21 ; S:23). 

32 Gideon; Judges, chs. 6-8. Barafc; Judges, chs. 4,5. 
Samson; Judges, chs. 13-16. Jephthah; Judges, chs. 11. 1*. 
David; I Sam. 16:1-13. Samuel; I Sam. 1:20. Theproph- 
etx; Matt. 5:12. 

33, 34 See Dan. 6:22; 3:25. 



336 



HEBREWS 



Women received their dead by' a resur- 
rection; and others were tortured, not ac- 
cepting the redemption,*" that they might 
obtain a better resurrection. 36 And oth- 
ers had trial of mockings and scourgings, 
and, moreover, of bonds and imprison- 
ment: 37 they were stoned, they were 
sawn asunder, they were tempted, they 
perished in the slaughter of tlie sword; 



9 Gr. Out of. 10 Or, deliverance. 



they went about in sheep-skins, in goat- 
skins, being destitute, suffering tribula- 
tion, maltreated (38 of whom the world 
was not worthy), wandering in deserts 
and mountains and caves, and the holes of 
the earth. 39 And these all, having re- 
ceived a good report through faith, ob- 
tained not the promise; 40 Go^d having 
provided something better concerning us, 
that, apart from us, they should not be 
be made perfect. 



35 ^Y^>m<:.n received their dead; I Kings 17:17-23; II 
Kings 4:32-37. A better resurrection; a resurrection to 
eternal life and glory. 

36-38 Here we have a condensed picture of thfl sufferings 
to which God's faithful people were subjected. 

39 Having received a good report through faith; they re- 
ceived this report from God's servants ; and here their faith 



is reported in the word of God as an example for Chris- 
tians. The promise; referring to the promised Messiah 
and the blessings of the Gospel. 

40 Something better; the fulfillment of the promises re- 
specting the Messiah. Apart from us; those who believed 
In the Messiah to come, and those who have believed in 
Him since His coming to put away sin, together complete 
the body of the saved. 



CHAPTER Xn. 

1 Therefore, having so great a cloud of 
witnesses surrounding us — having thrown 
off every encumbrance and the easily be- 
setting sin — let us run with patience 
the race lying before us; 2 looking away 
to the Author and Perfecter of our faith, 
Jesus; Who, in consideration of the joy 
lying before Him, endured the cross, de- 
spising shame, and hath taken a seat at the 
right hand of the throne of God. 3 For 
consider Him Who hath endured such con- 
tradiction of sinners against Himself, lest 
yc become weary, fainting in your souls. 4 
Not yet did ye resist unto blood, contend- 
ing against sin; 6 and ye have forgotten 
the exhortation which, indeed, reasons 
with you as with sons: "My son, do not 
lightly regard the chastening of the Lord; 



neither faint, when reproved by Him; 6 
for whom the Lord loveth. He chasteneth, 
and scourgeth every son whom He ac- 
knowledgeth," 

7 If ^ ye endure chastening, God dealeth 
with you as with sons; for what son is there 
whom his father chastens not ? 8 But, if 
ye are without chastisement, of which all 
have become partakers, then are ye bas- 
tards, and not sons. 

9 Furthermore, we used to have the 
fathers of our flesh as chasteners, and we 
reverenced them: shall we not much rather 
be in subjection to the Father of our spir- 
its, and live? 10 For they, indeed, for a 
few days were chastening «s, according to 
what seemed good to them; but He for our 
profit, that we may partake of His holiness. 
11 Now all chastening for the present, in- 
deed, seems not to be joyous, but grievous; 



Some Mss. have, enduring unto chastening. 



NOTES ON CHAPTER XII. 

1 So great a cloud of witnesses; alluding to the Grecian 
games in which the contestants were surrounded by large 
crowds of spectators to witness their feats. Here the en- 
circling hosts are supposed to he the ancient worthies who 
have gone on before; having obtained the reward of their 
faith. Every encumbrance; everything to hinder one's 
progress in the heavenly race — especially the sin to which 
one is most addicted. 

2 Looking away to Jesus; not only as our Model, and as 
an Example of one who ran successfully, but as also the 
One to supply us with wisdom, knowledge, and strength. 
The joy; arising from the redemption and eternal salva- 
tion of countless sinners, who, but for His interposition, 
would have been eternally lost. Despising shame; the 
shame of dying on the cross as a malefactor, 

3 Consider Him; meditate upon what He endured, and 
be encouraged by His triumph over all His foes. 



4 Resisted unto blood; ye have not yet been called to 
pour out your life-blood, as did Christ. 

5 The exhortation; Prov. 3:11, 12; Rev. 3:19. 

7 Chastening; in general, correction; discipline, train- 
ing; but here, it means trials that are meant to correct 
one's faults. 

8 All; all true believers, dastards; persons born out 
of wedlock, hence illegitimates. God does not correct 
these as He does His true followers. God seems to deal 
with His people according to their nearness to Him. 
Those who are content with mere salvation are not chas- 
tened as those who are seeking for God's best. 

10 That we may partake of His holiness; our Pother 
chastens His true sons, that they may drop everything in 
their lives and characters, that He Himself does not ap- 
prove; and, as they yield up every imperfection to Him, 
He cancels it, and imparts to them His own holiness— 
which is the holiness and nature of Christ. This is a 
process. 



HEBREWS 



337 



but afterward it yields the peaceful fruit 
of righteousness to those who have been 
trained thereby. 12 Wherefore, lift up 
the relaxed hands and the feeble knees, 
13 and make straight paths for your feet, 
that the lame be not turned out of the way^ 
but rather be healed. 

li Pursue peace with all, and the holi- 
ness without which no one shall see the 
Lord; 15 looking carefully, lest there ^e 
any one falling short of the grace of God; 
lest any root of bitterness, springing up, 
trouble you^ and through it many be de- 
filed; 16 lest there be any fornicator or 
profane person, as Esau, who, for one meal, 
yielded up his own birth-right. 17 For ye 
know that even after that, when wishing 
to inherit the blessing", he was rejected; for 
he found no place of repentance, although 
he earnestly sought it with tears. 18 For 
ye have net come to a mount that is touched 
and burning with fire, and to blackness, 
and darkness, and tempest, 19 and the 
sound of a trumpet, and the voice of 
words; which voice those who heard en- 
treated that no word more should be 
added to them; 20 for they could not 



bear* that which was being commanded: 
"And, if a beast touch the mountain, it 
shall be stoned"; 21 and so terrible was 
the appearance, Moses said, "I am ex- 
ceedingly frightened and in fear!" 22 
But ye have come to Mount Zion, and to 
the city of the Living God, the Heavenly 
Jerusalem, and to myriads of angels, 23 
to the general festal throng, and assembly 
of the first-born who are enrolled in 
Heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and 
to the spirits of righteous ones made per- 
fect; 24 and to Jesus, the Mediator of a 
new covenant, and to the blood of sprink- 
ling, speaking better things than Abel. 

25 See that ye refuse not Him Who 
speaketh; for, if those escaped not, when 
refusing him who warned them on earth, 
much more shall not we escape^ who turn 
away from Him Who warns us from 
Heaven; 26 Whose voice then shook the 
earth, but now hath He promised, saying, 
""Yet once more? I shake, not only the earth, 
but also the heaven." 27 But the expres- 
sion, "Yet once more," signifies the re- 



2 Gr. Were not hearing. 



11 Peaceful fruit of righteousness; after the chastise- 
ment has had its intended effect, the peaceful fruit of 
righteousness will abound in the life. The chastening 
may hurt for a time; but, after one has come to seethe 
great benents arising therefrom, he can count it all joy 
-when he is subjected to all needful trials. 

12 Lift up; encourage and animate the faltering and 
desponding, (Isa. 35:3, 4). 

13 Make straight paths for your feet; choose God's word 
to be a "lamp to your feet, and a light to your path," 
(Psa. 119:105); not only for your good and the glory of 
God. but also on account of others, who will be helped or 
injured by your example. 

14 Pursue peace; by getting the Prince of Peace en- 
throned in your heart, and then walking under His guid- 
ance. Holiness: this, too, we are commanded to pursue. 
Holiness of character, or true Christ-likeness, is the 
great end of salvation ; and people who care nothing for it 
have no promise of seeing God. As one becomes, more 
and more, a partaker of the Divine Holiness, and nature 
(II Pet. 1:4), he can, more and more, see God, and fellow- 
ship with Him in this life. 

15 Any one; any Christian. Fall short of the grace of 
God; fail to get that holiness of character, and to live 
such a life, as to glorify God, and bring the best results 
to others. Boot of bitterness: such as envy, jealousy, an- 
ger, or other " malevolent affection " ; or it may refer also 
to false doctrines leading to the rejection of truth, (Deut. 
29:18). 

16 Fornicator . . . profane person: examples of " the 
root of bitterness." Esau was a profane person, in that 
he bartered offl a sacred thing for sensual enjoyment, or 
lor one meal, (Gen. 25:31-34). 

17 Noplace of repentance; that is, no place for available 



repentance, such as would give back the forfeited birth- 
right. This is true whether we refer the word "repent- 
ance " to Esau or to Isaac. 

18 A mount: Mount Sinai, and the terrors accompany- 
ing the giving of the law, (Ex. 19:9-25; 20:1-23)'. Sinai 
here, as in Gal. 4:24, 35. seems to represent the whole Mo- 
saic economy. 

20 If a beast touch themountain, it shall be stoned; much 
more a man, (Ex. 19:12. 13, 21-24). This statement gave 
some idea of the great distance between God and man toe- 
fore Christ's death on the cross. 

22 Come to Movjit Zion; the spiritual Zion; that is. the 
true believer, following the Savior, has entered, spirit- 
ually, into "the Holy of Holies," where God and Christ 
are; and to this Holy Center all angels and saints are 
finally to be assembled. "Jerusalem which is above is 
free, which is the mother of us all," (Gal. 4:26). And myT' 
iads of angels: see Eph. 1 :10; Col. 1 :20. 

23 General festal throng; this expression is, by Rother- 
ham, applied to "angels" just preceding it; and he ren- 
ders it "Myriads of messengers in high festival." This 
construction has this fact to favor it: viz., that it remove, 
the diflaculty of leading one to conjecture who this "gen- 
eral festal throng" is. Assembly of the Jirst-born; that 
is. either all who are born of the Spirit, or the more dis- 
tinguished of them; as apostles, prophets, etc. Spiritsof 
just m.en: who have not yet received their glorified bodies. 

24 Blood of uprinkling ; meaning the blood of Christ, 
which cleanses the conscience fromall sin, (ch. 9:14; 10:22). 

25 Him Who spealieth: God, speaking in His word, 
Himwho spake on earth: Moses, (Deut. 13:6-10). 

26 Then; when Moses received the law on the mount, 
(Ex. 20: 1-17). Not only the earth, hut also the heaven ; Hag. 
2:6, 7. Compare also Isa. 13:13; Matt. 24:29. 



338 



HEBREWS 



shaken, let us have grace, whereby we 
may serve God acceptably, with reverence 
and godly fear; 29 for, indeed, our God 
is a consuming fire. 



moval of the things shaken, as of things 
that have been made, that the things that 
are not shaken may remain. 28 Where- 
fore, receiving a kingdom that cannot be 



27 !r?ie things sJiaken; everything that is transitory will 
be removed; such as the Mosaic ritual and every system 
that is alien to Christ, Cannot be shaken; the Kingdom 
of Christ and the spiritual blessings connected with it. 



28 Let us have grace; though grace is the gift of God. 
Christians are responsible for having it; and are censura- 
ble, if they have it not. 

29 A consuming fire; Deut. 4:24. 



CHAPTEE XIII. 

1 Let brotherly love continue. 2 Do 
not forget to show love^ for strangers; for 
thereby some entertained angels unawares. 
3 Remember the prisoners, as bound with 
them; those ill-treated, as being yourselves 
also in the body. 4 Zei marriage he held 
in honor among all, and let the bed be un- 
defiled; for fornicators and adulterers God 
will judge. 5 ZiSi^ 2/(?Mr disposition 5,3 with- 
out fondness for money; content with the 
present^ things; for He Himself hath said, 
' 'I will in no-wise leave you, neither will I 
in any wise forsake you." 6 So that with 
good courage we say, "The Lord is my 
Helper, I will not be afraid; what shall 
man do to me?" 

7 Remember those who are your leaders, 
who spake to you the word of God; and, 
considering the issue of whose manner of 
life, imitate their faith. 8 Jesus Christ is 
yesterday and to-day the same — yea, for- 
ever. 9 Be not carried away by manifold 
and strange teachings; for it is good that 
the heart be established with grace, not 



with foods, in which those who occupied^ 
themselves were not profited. 

10 We have an altar, from which those 
who serve the tabernacle have no right to 
eat. 11 For the bodies of those beasts, 
whose blood is brought into the holy place 
through the priest as an offering for sin, 
are burned without the camp. 12 Where- 
fore, Jesus also, that He might sanctify 
the people with His own blood, suffered 
without the gate. 13 Now, then, let us go 
forth to Him without the camp, bearing 
His reproach ; 14 For we have not here an 
abiding city, but we are seeking for the 
one about to come. 15 Through Him, 
therefore, let us offer up a sacrifice of 
praise to God continually; that is, the fruit 
of our lips making confession to His name. 
16 But, of well-doing, and contributing, 
be not forgetful; for with such sacrifices 
God is well-pleased. 

17 Obey those who are your leaders, and 
submit to them; for they watch in behalf 
of your souls, as those who are to give an 
account; that they may do this with joy, 
and not with sighing; for this would be 
unprofitable for you. 



t Or, hospitality. 2 Or, the thinys on hand. 



Gr, Walked. 



NOTES ON CHAPTER XIII. 

2 Entertained angels; Gen. 18:2-18; 19:1-3. 

3 Remember the wisoners; those in bonds tor professing 
their faith in Christ, As hound with them ; make their cause 
your own. 

4 Marriage; marriage should be regarded as a sacred re- 
lation, and should be scrupulously guarded from all pollu- 
tion. 

5 Without fondness for money; the love of money is a 
root of every evil, (I Tim. 6:10) ; hence the least fondness 
for it should be checked. Willin no-ioise leave . . .forsake 
you; Deut. 31:6; I Chron. 28:20. These specific promises, 
given to Israel and Solomon, are here generalized, and 
made applicable to all believers. 

7 The issue of whose manner of life; the results of such 
lives, (Acts 7:59, 60). 

8 Jesus Christ is the same; therefore. He will continue to 
bless, protect, and provide for His people, 

9 Foods; meaning the Jewish distinctions regarding 
food, and the whole ceremonial law. It is the grace of God 
that establishes the heart, and not food, or any ceremonial 
observance. 



10 We; true believers in Christ. 

11 Whose blood is brought into the holy places; Lev. 16:27. 
In being burned without the camp, these bodies typified 
the sacrifice of Christ, Who suffered without the gate of 
Jerusalem— which city, in this connection, answers to the 
camp in the wilderness. 

12 With Sis own blood; which Christ, as High Priest, 
carried into the presence of God in Heaven, (ch. 9:12, 24). 
Without the gate; John 19;17, 18. 

13 Zet us go forth to Him without the camp; let us follow 
Jesus in His shame and suffering, leaving all rights and 
ceremonies of the past dispensation, and proud, formal re- 
ligionists of our times. 

14 We have not here an abiding city; our stay here will be 
brief; so let us be fully identified with Him Who suffered 
for us without the gate; and we will find, in due time, the 
city that has foundations, (ch. 11:10; Rev. 21:2). 

15 Through Sim; Christ, our Great High Priest. The 
sacrifice of praise; which was shadowed forth in the thank- 
offering. The fruit of our lips; sacrifices of praise, (Eph. 
5:19,20; I Thess, 5:16, 18). 

16 Contributing; sharing blessings of every kind with- 
others, as opportunities offer. 



HEBKEWS 



339 



18 Pray for us; for we are persuaded 
that we have a good conscience, desiring 
to deport ourselves honestly in all things. 
19 And I the more earnestly exhort you 
to do this, that I may be restored to you 
the sooner. 

20 Now the God of peace, Who brought 
up from the dead the Great Shepherd of 
the sheep, in virtue of the blood of an eter- 
nal covenant, even our Lord Jesus, 21 
make you perfect in every good thing to 
do His will, working in you that which is 

19 Restored to you the sooner: be able to visit you the 
sooner. This sounds very much like Paul. 

20 In virtue of the blood of an eternal covenant; this 
"eternal covenant" between the Father and the Son re- 
quired that the Son's blood should be shed for the remis- 
sion of sins; and it was in virtue of this shed blood that 
Jesus was raised from the dead, and assigned to the head- 
ship of all creation. 

21 Well-pleasina in His sight; if one is wholly yielded to 
God in the spirit of absolute obedience, the Lord will 
work in him "AH the good pleasure of His will," enriching 
him with all the fruitage of the Spirit, (Gal, 5:22, 23), and 
equipping him for the most blessed service. 



well-pleasing in His sight, through Jesus 
Christ; to Whom he the glory forever. 
Amen. 

22 But I exhort you, brethren, bear with 
the word of exhortation; for, indeed, I 
wrote to you in few words. 23 Know ye 
that our brother Timothy has been set at 
liberty; with whom, if he come shortly, I 
will see you. 

24 Salute all those who are your leaders, 
and all the saints. Those from Italy salute 
you. 

25 Grace be with you all. 

23 Few words; compared with the importance of the 
subjects treated. 

23 Timothy . . . set at liberty; we have no means of 
knowing whether Timothy had been released from prison, 
or had been freed from some business, that now left him 
free to go where the Lord might send him. 

24 Those of Italy; the saints in Italy, where this epistle 
was written. This also squints very strongly of Paul the 
prisoner of the Lord. It seems very probable that Paul 
wrote this epistle, and omitted his name, in order, it pos- 
sible, to reach the Judaiziug teachers without the prejudice 
that his name would excite in their minds, as their chief 
antagonist. 



THE — 



GEISHERAL EPISTLE OF JAMES. 



Th3t the writer of this epistle, -whom Paul calls an apostle, and " the Lord's brother " (Gal. 1 :19). and who is 
confessedly identical with the James mentioned in Acts 12:17; 15:13; 21:18, is the writer of this epistle, has been gen- 
erally conceded; but whether he is the same with James the son of Alphseus who was one of the twelve, (Matt. 10:3). is 
a question that has never been fully settled. The chief objection to this view is. that, if he were the son of Alphseus. 
he could not be "the Lord's brother"; while the argumentfor his being identical with the son of Alphaeusis. thatif 
he was not identical with the son of Alphteus. there were three apostles bearint? the name James— which would seem 
to make t/urfccn apostles instead of only twelve. Those who contend for the identity of "the Lord's brother" with 
James the son of Alphaeus. make James the son of Alphffius a cousin, instead of a brother, of our Lord. We have no 
means of determining just how this is. and we leave it. James was a man of prominence among the apostles and breth- 
ren Paul recognized him as one of the "pillars " (Gal. 2:9). being mentioned before Peter and John. The date of the 
epistle is uncertain, though it was probably written not many years before the destruction of Jerusalem, where it was 
manifestly written, probably about A. D. 60. 

CONTENTS. 

Ch I Salutation, (v. 1) ; discipline of trials, (vs. 2-4) ; prayer for wisdom, (vs. 5-8) ; riches soon fade. (vs. 3-11) ; 
temptations proceed from evil desires, (vs. 12-18); pure religion consists largely in deeds, (vs. 19-27). Ch. II. Respect 
of persons (vs 1-9); the whole law to be kept. (vs. 10-13); faith without works dead. (vs. 14-19); Abraham and Rahab 
examplesof works. '(vs. 20-26). Ch. III. Thetongue. (v. 1-12); Heavenly wisdom distinguished from earthly, (vs. IS- 
IS) Ch IV Human desires and passions the source of strife, (vs. 1.2); friendship of the world, (vs. 3-7) ; need of 
humility and repentance, (vs. 8-10) ; judge not, (vs. 11. 12) ; man proposes. God disposes, (vs. 13-17). Ch. V. Ill-gotten 
wealth, (vs. 1-6); patience, (vs. 7-11); oaths, (v. 12); anointing with oil, and prayer (vs. 14-15--an unrepealed ordinance 
of the Gospel) ; confession, (v. 16) ; prayer, (vs. 16-18) ; conversion, (vs. 19. 20). 



JAMES. 

CHAPTER I. 

1 James, a servant^ of God and the Lord 
Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes who are 
in the Dispersion, greeting. 

2 Consider it all joy, my brethren, when 
ye fall in with manifold temptations; _ 3 
knowing that the proving of your faith 
establishes^ patience. 4 And let patience 
have a perfect work; that ye may be per- 
fect and entire, lacking in nothing. 

5 But, if any of you is lacking in wis- 
dom, let him ask from God, Who giveth 
to all liberally, and upbraideth not; and it 
will be given him; 6 but let him ask in 
faith, nothing doubting; for he who doubts 



Or. slave. 2 Or, accomplishes. 



NOTES ON CHAPTER I. 

2 I'all in with; not putting yourself in the way of them, 
but when they assail you, while walking in the path of 
duty. Temptations; testings, calculated to show one his 
excesses and defects. Temptations, rightly utilized, are 
stepping stones to the very presence of God, (see note on 
I Cor. 10:13). 

3 The proving of your faith; proving it by trials; and, 
when one remains firm and steady in the midst of trials, 
his faith is proved. Patience; the power of endurance 
without complaint. 

4 Let patience have a perfect work; or her perfect work 
Let her show her perfect work in the midst of trials of 
every kind; let no complaint or discontent arise in the 

-ind or.heart. whatever the trials be. That ye may be 
perfect and entire; James teaches that a perfect patience 
implies a perfect character. 

5 Lacking in wisdom; to make the most of one's oppor 
tunities. and to do the best thing, at all times. To all; t( 
all who ask in faith. 

6 LUce a wave of the sea; fluctuating, having no stead; 
purpose. 



is like a wave of the sea, wind-driven and 
tossed. 7 For let not that man suppose 
that he will receive anything from the 
Lord; 8 a double-souled man, unstable in 
all his ways. 

But let the lowly brother glory in his 
high station; 10 and the rich, in his humil- 
iation; because, as a flower of grass, he shall 
pass away. 11 For the sun arose with 
scorching heat, and withered the grass, 
and its flower fell out, and the beauty of 
its appearance perished, so also will the 
rich man fade away in his goings. 

12 Happy is a man who endures temp- 
tation; because, when he becomes approved, 
he will receive the crown of life, which 
He promised to those who love Him. 13 
Let no one, when tempted, say, "I am 
tempted from God"; for God cannot be 



8 A double-souled man; one who has contrary desires and 
npulses; now believing, now doubting; now looking this 
way. now that. 

Lowly brother; one in lew circumstances, or in pov- 
and undesirable environments. Glory in his high sta- 
tion; to which he is exalted as a believer in Christ. 

10 y^e ncft; in worldly possessions. In his humiliation: 
being made of a lowly mind as a follower of Christ. In 
these verses (9 and 10). the apostle presents the proper 
state of mind for both poor and rich. 

11 So also will the rich man fade away in his goings; as 
the beauty of the flower soon passes away, so will the 
splendor of the rich soon leave them— if not sooner, cer- 
tainly at death. 

12 Endures temptations: bears up under his trials with- 
out fretting, or complaining. The Greek verb signifying 
to'endure. has a common etymology with the noun trans- 
lated endurance, or patience. 

13 When tempted; to sin, or do any evil. God tempteth 
no man; that is, God tempts no man for the purpose o£ 
making him sin. 



JAMES 



341 



tempted with evils, and He Himself tempt 
eth no one. 14 But each one is tempted, 
when by his own desire he is drawn away 
and enticed. 15 Then the desire, having 
conceived, brings forth sin; and sin, when 
completed, brings forth death. 16 Be not 
deceived, my beloved brethren. 17 Every 
good gift, and every perfect gift is from 
above, coming down from the Father of 
the lights, with Whom there is no vari 
ableness or shadow cast by turning. 18 
Having willed it. He brought us forth 
with a word of truth, that we might be a 
certain first-fruit of His creatures. 

19 Ye know this, my beloved brethren 
but let every man be quick to hear, slow 
to speak, slow to wrath; 20 for man's 
wrath works not God's righteousness. 21 
Wherefore, putting away all filthiness and 
overflowing of wickedness, receive in 
meekness the implanted word, which is able 



to save your souls. 22 And become doers 
of the word, and not hearers only, delud- 
ing yourselves. 23 Because, if anyone is 
a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is 
like a man beholding his natural* face in 
a mirror; 24 for he observed himself, and 
went away, and straightway he forgot 
what manner of man he was. 25 But he 
who looks carefully into a perfect law — 
that of liberty — and remains by it, becom- 
ing not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of 
the word, this man shall be happy in His 
doing. 26 If anyone thinks that he is re- 
ligious, while he bridles not his own tongue, 
but deceives his own heart, this man's re- 
ligion is vain. 27 A religion, pure and un- 
defiled with our God and Father, is this: 
to visit orphans and widows in their tribu- 
lation, and to keep himself unspotted from 
the world. 



3 Gr. Face of his birth, or nativity. 



U By his own desire; his desire for something wrong. 

15 The desire; the inward nature that longs for things 
lorbidden is here referred to as the parent of sinful deeds 
Sin; sin in the life. Death; eternal death, the legitimate 
fruit of sin. 

16 Se not deceived; in the matters of temptation, sin, 
etc. 

18 Having willed it; having willed that we should be- 
come His children. With a word of truth; the word of 
God is the instrument which the Spirit uses in making 
one His child. (I Pet. 1:23). First-fruit; the Gospel as 
preached first to the Jews was followed by results in the 
conversion of some of them, answering to the first-fruit 
in Lev. 28:9-14. 

19 Ye know this; some texts are altogether different 
here; giving "wherefore," instead of "ye know." Swift 
to hear; the instruction which God gives. Slow to speak: 
as a teacher, or to censure others. Slow to wrath; this 
amounts to a prohibition of wrath; for wrath is sinful, 
(Col. 3:8). 



21 All filthiness; of flesh and spirit, (II Cor. 7:1). Over- 
flowing of wickedness; malice flowing out from the heart. 
The implanted word; the word of God implanted in the 
heart. 

24 Be observed himself; in a mirror (v. 23). The word of 
God is the mirror that shows a man to himself as a sinner. 
Straightway he forgot; when one refuses to obey the 
Scriptures, he loses the impressions they formerly made 
on him, and he loses the conception he had of himself as a 
sinner, 

25 Looks carefully into; as when one stoops to look. A 
perfect law— that of liberty; the Gospel, which gives per- 
fect liberty in Christ, and is a perfect rule of action. 

26 Bridles not his tongue; does not regulate it by the 
word of God. Deceives his own heart; by supposing that 
he is religious, while his tongue has never been brought 
under control. 

27 A religion, pure and undefiled; is defined to be one 
that is characterized by love and mercy, in that one visits 
orphans and widows to minister to their wants; and also 
by a lite free from all worldly contaminations. 



CHAPTEE II. 

1 My brethren, hold not the faith of our 
Lord Jesus Christ the Lord of glory, with 
respect of persons. 2 For, if there come 
into .your synagogue a man with a gold 
ring, in splendid apparel, and there come 
in also a poor man in vile apparel; 3 and 
ye show regard to him who is wearing the 
splendid apparel, and say to him, ' 'Sit here 
in a good place"; and say to the poor man. 



'Stand, or sit under my footstool"; 4 do 
ye not make a distinction among yourselves, 
and become judges with evil thoughts? 5 
Hearken, my beloved brethren, did not 
God choose the poor of the world to he rich 
in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which 
he promised to those who love Him? 6 
But ye dishonored the poor man! Do not 
the rich oppress you, and do they not drag 
you before the judgment-seat? 7 Do they 



NOTES ON CHAPTER II. 

1 With respect to persons; let not the outward appear 
ance of people be the test of your judgment. " Judge not 
according to the appearance," (John 7:24). 

4 Judges with evil thoughts; that is, evil-thinking 



judges, or judges that think evil thoughts, and make un- 
righteous distinctions. 

5 Did not God choose the poor; to be His disciples, and 
to be enriched with His boundless grace? "Not many 
wise men . . . called," (I Cor. 1:36). 

6 Do not the rich oppress you; why, then, show them 
such marked attention ? 



342 



JAMES 



not blaspheme the worthy name by which 
ye were called? 8 If, however, ye ful- 
fill the royal law according to the Scrip- 
ture, "You shall love your neighbor as 
yourself," ye do well; 9 but, if ye show 
respect to persons, ye commit sin, being 
convicted by the law as transgressors. 10 
For whosoever keeps the whole law, but 
stumbles in one pointy has become guilty 
of all. 11 For He Who said, "Do not 
commit adultery," said also, "Do not 
kill." Now, if you do not commit adul- 
tery, but kill, you have become a trans- 
gressor of the law. 13 So speak, and so 
do, as those who are about to be judged 
by a law of liberty. 13 For the judgment 
is without mercy to him who showed no 
mercy: mercy exults ov^r judgment. 

14 What profit is it, my brethren, if 
anyone says he has faith, but has not works ; 
can such faith save him? 15 If a brother 
or a sister be naked, and in want of daily 
food, 16 and one of you say to them, 
"Go in peace, be warmed and filled," but 
ye give them not the things needful for 
the body, what does it profit ? 17 Even 



so faith, if it have not works, is dead in ' 
itself. 

18 But some one will say, "You have 
faith, and I have works": show me your 
faith apart from your works, and I will 
show you my faith by my works. 

19 You believe that God is one. You 
do well. The demons also believe, and 
shudder! 20 But are you willing to know, 
O vain. man, that faith apart from works 
is worthless? 21 Was not Abraham, our 
father, justified by works, when he offered 
up Isaac his son on the altar? 22 You see 
that faith wrought with his works, and by 
works was faith perfected; 23 and the 
Scripture was fulfilled which says, "And 
Abraham believed God, and it was reck- 
oned to him for righteousness "; and he was 
called "God's Friend." 

24 Ye see that by works a man is jus- 
tified, and not by faith only. 

25 And, in like manner, was not also 
Rahab the harlot justified by works, when 
she received the messengers, and sent 
them out by another way? 26 For as the 
body apart from the spirit is dead, so 
faith apart from works is dead. 



7 The worthy name: the name of Christ. 

8 The royal law; the law of love, called royal to show 
its pre-eminence, (Matt. 22:37. 38). 

9 Being convicted hy the law; shown by the law to be 
violators. 

10 Stumbles in one point; fails in one point to keep the 
law. The law is considered as a whole, and he who vio- 
lates one item of it is liable for all— that is, he has the 
whole authority of the law against him. This would not 
mean, however, that the man who violates but one item of 
the law is as guilty as if he had violated all the items 
composing the law; else all sinners would be equally 
guilty. 

12 Law of liberty; see note on ch. 1 :25. 

13 Judgment is without mercy; there will be no mercy 
mingled with the condemnation of the man who has shown 
no mercy to others. 

14 Can such faith save him; such faith as this, a faith 
that is accompanied by no works ? No. 

16 Be ye warmed; giving them words only, when cloth- 
ing should be given; or words only, when food is needed, 
that could be supplied. 

17 Is dead; utterly worthless. In, itself; unaccompa- 
nied by works. Such a faith is not the kind that saves the 
soul, purifies the heart, and overcomes the world. 



1 Or, by itself. 



19 Tou do well; in believing that God is one, or that 
there is one God; but the bare belief of this, unaccompa- 
nied by suitable fruit in the life, will do you no more good 
than such a faith does the demons. 

20 Is worthless; empty, void, idle. Such faith as may 
exist without love has absolutely no value in it; but it 
may prove, in the end, to have been even worse than abso- 
lute ignorance. This is not the kind of faith that Abra- 
ham had. He believed God, and was ready to offer up his 
son Isaac at the command of God. 

22 Perfected; shown to be the genuine article by pro- 
ducing the right kind of works. 

23 The Scripture was fulfilled; by the works which Abra- 
ham did, showing that be believed God in reality, (Heb. 
11:17; Gen. 22:2-14). 

24 Ifot by faith only; not by a faith that is unaccompa- 
nied by works. Faith is that which unites the penitent 
with the Christ Who bore his sins in His Own body on the 
tree, (I Peter 2:24) ; but, when one has believed this, good 
works prove that one has truly believed. Christ is the mer- 
itorious ground on which one is justified before God; and 
his good works— works becoming his profession— are the 
ground of his justification before men. 

25 Sahab; Heb. 11:31. Her works proved that she had 
faith. 



CHAPTEE III. 
1 My brethren, become not many of 



you teachers, knowing that we shall re- 
ceive the greater judgment. 2 For in 



NOTES ON CHAPTER III. 

1 Become twt many of you teachers; aspire not, many of 
you to become teachers or guides in matters of Christian- 
ity; an error far too common among those who have a 



mere- intellectual conception, rather than a heart knowl- 
edge, of the truth. We; who are called to be teachers. 
The greater judgment; the greater responsibility rests upon 
those who teach the word, and the greater condemnation, 
if they fail to meet the demands. 



JAMES 



343 



many things we all stumble. If_ anyone 
stumbles not in word, the same is a per- 
fect man, able to restrain also the whole 
laody. 3 Now, if we put the horses' bri- 
dles into their mouths, that they may obey 
lis, we turn about their whole body also. 
4 Behold also the ships, large as they are, 
and driven along by fierce winds, are 
turned about by a very small rudder, 
wheresoever the impulse of the steersman 
wills. 

5 So also the tongue is a little member, 
and boasts great things. Behold, how 
small a tire kindles how great a forest ! _ 6 
And the tongue is a tire, the world of in- 
iquity! the tongue is placed among our 
members, as that which defiles the whole 
body, and sets on fire the course^ of life, 
and is set on fire by Hell.' 7 For every 
nature, both of wild beasts and birds, both 
of creeping things and things in the sea, is 
tamed, and has been tamed, by mankind;' 
8 but the tongue no man can tame; a rest- 
less evil, full of deadly poison ! 9 There- 
with we bless the Lord and Father; and 
therewith we curse men, who have been 



made after the likeness of God. 10 Out 
of the same mouth come forth blessing and 
cursing! My brethren, these things ought 
not so to be. 

11 Does the fountain send forth, from 
the same opening, the sweet water and the 
bitter? 12 My brethren, can a fig tree 
produce olives; or a vine, figs? Neither can 
salt water yield sweet. 

13 Who is wise and intelligent among 
you? Let him show, by his good conduct, 
his works in meekness of wisdom. 14 But, 
f ye have bitter jealousy and contention* 
in your heart, do not boast and lie against 
the truth. 15 This wisdom is not the wis- 
dom that comes down from above; but is 
earthly, soulish,* demoniacal! 16 For 
where there are jealousy and contention, 
there is confusion" and every vile deed. 
17 But the wisdom from above «s, indeed, 
first pure, then peaceable, mild, compliant, 
full of mercy and good fruits, without par- 
tiality, without hypocrisy. 18 And the 
fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by' 
those making peace. 



Or, wheel. 2 Gr. Gehenna. 3 Or, by human 



Or, party spirit. 5 Animal, 
mult. 7 Or, for. 



or sensual. 6 Or, tu- 



2 In many things we all stumble: Imperfections charac 
terize man; and, if all make mistakes and blunders, with 
what fear and trembling should one enter upon the task of 
a religious teacher! Stumbles not in word: our great peril 
is in the right use of the tongue.. How few have learned 
to control it properly! Perfect man: perfect in this re 
speot. Or the thought seems to be, that, if one has learned 
how to use his tongue perfectly, he has, probably, learned 
to control every thing else as well— hence he is perfect. 

5 Haw small a fire: a single match may set a whole for- 
est on fire. 

6 The tongue is a fire: sets a community ablaze. Also 
it ignites one's malevolent passions, and sends one forth 
to mischief and crime. So long as a Christian under severe 
trials holds his tongue, he remains master of the situation, 
in large measure at least; but when he turns his tongue 
loose, all the evil in his nature is called to the front. Tlie 
course of life: the proper way of living. The one, losing 
control of his tongue, flies oi'.t of his proper orbit, and im- 
perils his own interests, as well as those of others. Set on 
fire by Hell; or by hellish agents or demons. If these evil 
spirits can only getcontrol of one's tongue, they will blight 
his happiness, and possibly that of many others. 

9 Bless God . . . curse men; many people prof ess to love 
God and to worship Him; but they annul the force of their 
claim, by their evil talk against man. (I John 4:20). 

11, 12 The stream partakes of the nature of the foun- 
tain; and the fruit, of the tree. The heart that is full of 
bitterness towards men cannot be full of the love of God; 
but perfect love casts out all malevolence, and leaves no 
place for bitterness, wrangling, selfishness. Such love is 
inseparable from the experience of Christ enthroned with- 
in the heart. 



13 Who is wise and intelligent: he is the one who is not 
pushing himself forward as a teacher, or leader of religious 
thought; but his good works, coupled with his uniformly 
gentle, and sweet spirit, declare who he is, and mark him 
as a man of true wisdom. 

14 Boast . . . lie not against the truth; by falsely as- 
suming that people of unbridled tongues and bitter spirits 
are wise— which is a libel against the truth of God's word. 

15 This wisdom: that which is envious, quarrelsome, 
and partisan. Earthly: earth-born, low grade. Soulish; 
growing out of the passions, impulses, and tendencies of 
the natural man. Demoniacal: engendered by demons, 
fanned and kept alive by them. 

17 Tlie wisdom from above; divine wisdom, implanted 
in man, and developed in him by the Holy Spirit. Pure; 
in nature, and in its influence on others. Peaceable: the 
person in whom this wisdom is found is always peaceable; 
never quarrelsome, nor restless. And such a person is 
mild, compliant [i. e. not self-willed, nor self-pleasing], 
abounding in deeds of mercy and good fruits; he is im- 
partial in his conduct toward others, and is devoid of all 
pretense. 

18 Thf, fruit of righteousness: the effects of righteous- 
ness produced in the life lead peaceable men, in a peace- 
ful spirit, to disseminate such doctrines as tend to estab- 
lish peace between God and men, and peace among one an- 
other. Such are the children of peace. When the peni- 
tent believer accepts Christ as his Savior, he has "peace 
with God through our Lord Jesus Christ," (Rom. 5:1); 
but, when the Prince of Peace wields His scepter over 
one's whole being, then begins that experience in Phil. 
4:7, where the peace of God, that passes all understanding 
keeps one's mind and heart in Christ Jesus. 



344 



JAMES 



CHAPTER IV. 

1 Whence are wars, and whence are bat- 
tles among you? Are they not hence, 
even of your pleasures that war in your 
members? 2 Ye desire, and have not; ye 
kill, and envy, and cannot obtain; ye 
fight, and war; ye have not, because ye 
ask not. 3 Ye ask, and receive not, be- 
cause ye ask amiss, that ye may spend it 
on your pleasures. 4 Adulteresses! know 
ye not that the friendship of the world is 
enmity with God? Whosoever, therefore, 
purposes to be a friend of the world makes 
himself an enemy of God. 6 Or do ye 
think that the Scripture says in vain. 
The spirit that dwells in us has jealous 
longings?' 6 But He giveth more grace. 
Wherefore, the 8criptv/re says, "God 
resisteth the proud, but giveth grace to 
the humble." 7 Submit yourselves, there- 
fore, to God. Resist the Devil, and he 
will flee from you. 8 Draw nigh to God, 
and He will draw nigh to you. Cleanse 
your hands, ye sinnsxg; and purify your 
hearts, ye double-minded. 9 Be wretched. 



1 Or. longs unto jealousy. 



and mourn, and weep; let your laugh- 
ter be turned to mourning, and your 
joy to heaviness! 10 Humble yourselves 
in the sight of the Lord, and He will 
exalt you. 

11 Speak not one^against another, breth- 
ren. He that speaks against a brother, or 
judges his brother, speaks against the law, 
and judges the law; but, if you judge the 
law, you are not a doer of the law, but a 
judge. 12 One is Law-giver and Judge — 
He Who is able to save and to destroy; 
but who are - you, that judge your neigh- 
bor? 
• 13 Come now, ye who say, "To-day or 
to-morrow we will go into this city, and 
spend one year there, and trade, and get 
gain," (14 ye who, indeed, know nothing 
of to-morrow! what is your life? for ye 
are a vapor that appears for a little time, 
and then vanishes away); 16 instead of 
your saying, "If the Lord will, we shall 
both live, and do this or that." 16 But 
now ye are glorying in your boasting! all 
such glorying is evil. 17 To him, there- 
fore, who knows to do good, and does it 
not, to him it is sin. 



NOTES ON CHAPTER IV. 

[It seems that most of this chapter and some of the next 

was addressed to that portion of the Jewish Christians 

■who had departed from the faith, and were consorting 

■with the wicked opposers of the Gospel.] 

1 Wars; campaigns. Battles; individual fights. The 
Gospel of Christ was the great interest at stake; and the 
hattles were fought with wf<r(?s, rather than with swords. 

2 Te have not; any really satisfying portion, because ye 
seek it not in the right way, or with a proper purpose. 

i Friendship of the world . . . enmity with God; the 
spirit that is in harmony with the world is hostile to God, 
(IJohn2:15, 16). 

5 The Spirit; meaning, likely, the Holy Spirit, or " the 
new spirit." (John 3:5. 6). Sas jealous longings; the an- 
swer is, "no." All the bitterness and strife which he is 
condemning, have their origen in Satan. 

6 Be giveth more grace; God giveth sufScient grace to 
His true people to enable them to overcome all their evil 
nature; but it is to the humble and obedient, not to the 
proud and contentious. Resisteth the proud; those who 
come to Him in a self-righteous spirit. 

7 Resist the Devil . . . Uee from you; when the Devil as- 
sails the true believer in any one of his many ways, the 
thing to do is, to resist him, in the name of Jesus. He 



fears the name of Jesus; but he is not afraid of us, except 
as we have Christ in us. Who is ready to hear our cries. 

8 Draw nigh to God; in confession, prayer, and obe- 
dience; approaching Him in the name and merit of Jesus. 
God delights to meet all who approach Him through His 
Son. Cleanse your hands; let your outward conduct be 
right. Purify your hearts; let the Holy Spirit come in, 
and cleanse your heart, and establish the rule of Christ 
therein. 

9 Be wretched, and mourn, and weep; because of your 
sins, and in view of the terrible judgments awaiting you. 

10 Bumble yourselves; instead of fighting and contend- 
ing for fleshly gratifications. God stands ready to exalt 
every one who accepts His Son, and takes a lowly place at 
His feet. 

11 Judges the law; sits in judgment against the law, and 
condemns it; whereas, he ought to be obeying the law. 

12 One Law-giver; God, and only He. Hence, all should 
obey Him; and, to do this, they must accept Jesus Christ 
as their Redeemer and Savior. 

13, 14 All our earthly plans should be made in view of 
the absolute uncertainty of human life. Hence the propri- 
ety of the expression. "// the Lord will." 

16 Glorying in your boasting; about what ye can do; 
when, in fact, apart from God, ye can do nothing. All 
such glorying is evil; because it leaves God out of your 
plans. 



CHAPTER V. 

1 Go now, ye rich, weep, howling over 



your miseries that are coming upon you! 
2 Your wealth has become corrupted, and 



NOTES ON CHAPTER V. 

1 That are coming upon you; on account of your mani- 
fold wickedness, especially in the manner in which they 



grasped and used riches. The dreadful sufferings that 
came upon the Jews shortly after this warning, in the 
seige and destruction of Jerusalem, fully justified the 
apostle's plain language. 



JAMES 



345 



your garments have become moth-eaten. 3 
Your gold and silver are covered with rust, 
and their rust will be for a witness against ' 
you, and will eat your flesh, as fire. Ye 
laid np treasures in the last days! 4 Be- 
hold, the hire of the workmen who mowed 
down your fields, which is fraudulently 
kept back by you, is crying out; and the 
cries of those who reaped have entered in- 
to the ears of the Lord of Sabaoth. 5 Ye 
lived luxuriously on the earth, and rioted 
in pleasure; ye nourished your hearts in a 
day of slaughter. 6 Ye condemned, ye 
killed the righteous one; he does not resist 
you. 7 Be patient, therefore, brethren, 
until the coming'^ of the Lord. Behold, 
the husbandman waits for the precious 
fruit of the land; being patient over it, un- 
til it receives the early and latter rain. 8 
Be ye also patient; establish your hearts, 
because the coming of the Lord has drawn 
near. 

9 Murmur not against one another, 
brethren, that ye be not judged: behold, 



The Judge has taken His stand before the 
doors! 

10 Take, brethren, as an example of 
suffering and of patience, the prophets, 
who spake in the name of the Lord. 11 
Behold, we pronounce those happy who 
endured: ye heard of the patience of Job; 
and ye saw the end of the Lord, that the 
Lord is full of pity, and merciful. 

12 But above all things, mj^ brethren, 
swear not, either by Heaven, or by earth, 
or by any other oath; but let yours be 
"the yes, yes," and "the no, no"; that 
ye fall not under condemnation. 

13 Is anyone among you afilicted? let 
him pray. Is anyone cheerful? let him 
sing praise.^ 14 Is anyone among you 
sick ? let him call for the elders of the as- 
sembly; and let them pray over him, hav- 
ing anointed him with oil in the name of 
the Lord; 15 and the prayer of faith will 
save the sick, and the Lord will raise him 
up; and, if he have committed sins, it 

hall be forgiven him. 



1 Or, to. 2 Or. arrival, presence. 



Or. sina to the harp. 



2 Riches, in those days, consisted largely of quantities 
of grain and clothing, which was liable to become worth- 
less through age. 

3 Covered over with rust; from want of use; being 
hoarded up. Eat your nesh: the same rust that bears wit- 
ness against them shall be to them as a consuming fire. 
Ye laid up treasures in. the last days; when the judgments 
of God are ready to be poured out upon you; thus heaping 
up wrath against the day of wrath. 

i The Lord of Sabaoth; the Lord of hostis— the Al- 
mighty. 

5 Nourished your hearts; with luxurious living. In a 
day of slaughter: beasts eat up to the time they are 
slaughtered, not suspecting any danger near. So these 
wicked Jews were feasting and rioting as senselessly as 
animals. 

6 Te killed the righteous one; some take this to refer to 
Christ the Righteous One; but the words may have 
wider application, including Christ's disciples, who. like 
their Lord, offered no resistance. Here the apostle passes 
from the wicked to the devout class of Jews, and seeks to 
encourage them. 

8 Establish your hearts; in the doctrines and practice of 
the Gospel. The coming of the Lord; for the destruction 
of His eqgmies and theirs at Jerusalem— which itself was 
a type, or an earnest, of the larger destruction at the jr-'" 
ment. 

9 The Judge has taken Ms stand at th.e door; C!hrist, the 
Judge of the world, is soon to come, to punish all wrong- 
doing. 

11 The patience of Job; his endurance of severe trials. 
The end of the Lord; the merciful sequel to Job's suffer- 
ings, (Job 42:10. 12). 

12 Swear not; do not use oaths of confirmation in ordi- 
nary conversation. 

14. 15 These verses contain specific instructions both to 
the sick and to the elders, what they are to do, when one 



is sick, or bedfast. The oil is a symbol of the Holy Spirit; 
and " the elders " are Spirit-filled Christians in sympathy 
with the Gk)3pel and Its Author, and are called to minister 
thus. All preachers ought to be "elders" of this class. 
This Scripture has never been repealed by its Author; and 
it stands with all the rest of the Scriptures as a part of 
His word. If lie have Gommitted sins; sins that led to the 
sickness. It slwZl be forgiven him; that is. he will, on the 
exercise of faith, receive forgiveness tor his sins. The- 
Lord will raise him up; heal him, and raise him up to 
health. As Christians learn to live the Spirit-filled life, 
and through the Spirit to come into vital union with Christ 
enthroned within, they may have a:i their diseases healed, 
(Matt. 8:16, 17; Ps. 103:3-5); receive strength In their 
bodies, (Isa. 40:31); and become in health even as their 
souls prosper, (XII John 2). 

.V. .B.— Every man who answers to the name of Elder 
ought, either to respond to the call for anointing and 
prayer for the healing of the sick, or be able to prove that 
this portion of Scripture has become obsolete, or else he 
should question his qualifications for the office of elder. 
This simple trilemma ought to be fairly considered. An 
increasing number of elders are coming to see the dilemma 
into which they are thrown, if they refuse the requestor 
the sick; and they go and anoint them: but those who re- 
fuse to anoint the sick as directed, should lose no time in 
deciding which of the remaining alternatives they will 
choose to adopt. If they choose the first, viz.. that the 
anointing ordinance has become obsolete, or is not appli- 
cable to the people of our time, the next thing required of 
them will be to furnish adequate proof to sustain this 
assumption. And. first, one would be expected to de- 
fine ichat is adeQuate proof to justify the setting aside 
of a portion of the Gospel of Christ. And. in the last 
analysis of the subject, he will be forced to admit that 
no authority less than God Himself can set aside or 
annul any portion of His Gospel; for surely no man nor 



346 



JAMES 



16 Confess, therefore, your sins one to 
another, and pray for one another, that ye 
may be healed. A righteous man's sup- 
plication, working* inwardly, avails much. 

17 Elijah was a man of like nature with 
us; and he prayed earnestly* that it 
might not rain, and it rained not on the 
earth for three years and six months; 18 
and again he prayed, and the heaven gave 



rain, and the earth brought forth its 
fruit. 

19 My brethren, if anyone- among you 
be led astray from the truth, and one con- 
vert him; 20 let him know* that he who 
converted a sinner from the error of his 
way, will save a soul from death, and cover 
a multitude of sins. 



i Or. inits working. 5 Or. with a prayer. 



6 Some Mss. read know ye. 



set of men can have any power to cancel the least 
portion o£ this Gospel. And, if man has no authority 
in a matter of this sort, where is the proof that Ood hath 
set aside the anointing ordinance ? Plainly there is no 
record of such a thing in His Book. God has not set aside 
this ordinance, hut He meets His true elders now, when all 
the conditions are complied with; and many are feeing 
healed. This fact is becoming more and more notorious; 
and overwhelming proof to this effect can be furnished. 
What, then? Simply this: that the elder, or elders, who 
will not anoint the sick, are not duly qualified for their 
offtce. Then another question might arise. ' ' Why are they 
not qualified ? " Whose fault is it f It is not God's; for 
He is qualifying many for the duties of this sacred office 
at the present time; and is ready to qualify anyone whom 
He has called to preach His Gospel, if His conditions are 



fully met. These conditions may be summed up in these 
two words ; consecration, and faith. Consecration is what 
such elders need ; and then the faith will be given. Conse- 
cration opens the way for the Holy Spirit to come in and 
fill one ; and the elder who learns to live the Spirit- filled 
life will not long be destitute of the faith required of God's 
elders. Another question: Is any elder called to preach 
only a part of God's word ? 

17 Elijah: I Kings 17:1; 18:43-45. Of like nature with 
us; he was a man, but a man yielded to God; so that God 
could do His will through him. 

19 Be led astray from the truth; the truth of the Gospel, 
Cmivert him; to the truth; acting as an instrument for 
God. 

20 Cover a multitude of sins; by having them, through 
repentance and faith, put under the blood of Christ, and 
thus cover them, and put them forever out of sight. 



— THE 



FIRST EFISTLE OF i^ETER. 



This epistle is addressed to the " elect sojourners of the Dispersion ot Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and 
By thinia. " provinces of Rome in Asia Minor. The occasion of the epistle seems to have been a " fiery trial " of perse- 
cution that was coming upon the Christians in the provinces above named. The exact date of this persecution has not 
been satisfactorily ascertained, though the majority of commentators ascribe it to the latter years of Nero's reign, 
which terminated A. D. 68. This epistle has been a source ot encouragement and comfort to many of God's people 
during all the centuries since it was written. It purports to have been written from Babylon, but many suppose that 
Peter used the word in allusion to Rome, but wished to disguise the locality. This seems scarcely possible to one 
who knew that he was to lose his life for his devotion, and knew something of the evil of lying. 

CONTENTS. 

Ch. I. Salutation. (1:1, 2); the future blessedness that awaits the saints makes their present sufferings light. 
(vs. 3-12) ; encouragement to live holy lives as they have been redeemed with the precious blood of Christ, (vs. 13-21) ; 
as regenerate men they should love one another, (vs. 22-25). Ch. II. They should realize their high calling, (vs. 1-10) ; 
their lives should disprove all gentile calumnies, (vs. 11. 12); they should be loyal citizens, (vs. 13-17); as servants of 
Christ, they should be good and faithful, (vs. 18-25). Ch. III. Admonition to wives, to be chaste and simple in dress, 
(vs. 1-6) ; instruction to husbands, (v. 7) ; admonition to them all, (vs. 8-22). Ch. IV. As Christians, they should no 
longer live as libertines, but as those prepared to meet Christ in the judgment, (vs. 1-6) ; they should be charitable, 
hospitable, liberal, (vs. 7-11) ; they should rejoice in the privilege of suffering for Christ, (vs. 12-19). Ch. V. Manifold 
exhortations, (vs. 1-11); salutations, (vs. 12-14). 



I. PETER. 

CHAPTER I. 

1 Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ to 
the sojourners of the Dispersion in Pon- 
tus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bi- 
thynia, 2 elect according to the fore- 
knowledge of God the Father, in sanctifi- 
cation of the Spirit, unto obedience and 
sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: 
grace to you, and peace, be multiplied. 

3 Blessed he the God and Father of our 
Lord Jesus Christ, Who, according to His 
abundant mercy, begat us again to a liv- 
ing hope through the resurrection of Jesus 
Christ from among the dead, 4 to an in- 
heritance incorruptible, and undefiled, 
and unfading; kept in Heaven for you, 
5 who are being guarded by^ God's 
power, through faith unto a salvation 
ready to be revealed in the last time; 6 



in which ye exult, though now, for a lit- 
tle while, if necessary, made sorrowful in 
manifold temptations; 7 that the prov- 
ing of your faith — heing much more prec- 
ious than gold that perishes, but is proved 
through fire — may be found unto praise 
and glory and honor at the revelation of 
Jesus Christ; 8 Whom, not h^aving seen, 
ye love; on Whom, though now not see- 
ing Him., yet believing, ye exult with joy 
unspeakable and full of glory; ^ 9 receiv- 
ing the end of your faith, the salvation of 
your souls; 10 concerning which salva- 
tion the prophets earnestly sought and 
diligently searched, who prophesied of the 
^X2,<^% that would come to '^o\x.\ 11 search- 
ing as to what time or what manner of 
time, the Spirit of Christ Who was in 
them was pointing to, when testifying be- 
forehand the sufferings <:?dsi5m^<^ for Christ, 
and the subsequent^ glories; 12 to whom 
it was revealed that, not to themselves. 



Gr. In. 



2 Gr. Glorified. 3 Gr. After these. 



NOTES ON CHAPTER I. 

1 Pontus, Galatia, etc.; Roman provinces in Asia Minor 
in which Jewish Christians were dispersed by persecution. 

2 Foreknowledge; God always knew all that would ever 
occur in the world. God's election, or choosing, of people 
to salvation was according to His foreknowledge: and, ac- 
companying that election, is the sanctifying work of the 
Holy Spirit; Who puts a spirit of obedience In the be- 
liever, who is cleansed through the blood of Christ. God 
never purposed to save people in their sins, but from their 
sins. 

3 A living hope; a living principle, sustaining one's spirit- 
ual life. Sv the resurrection; the risen Christ is the foun- 
dation of our hope, and this gives the Spirit opportunity 
to exercise His regenerating power. 

4 Inheritance; our Heavenly Inheritance is eternal and 



infinitely blessed. Christians should lay up their treasure 
there. 

5 At the last time; at the close of the dispensation. 

6 // necessary; to the Christian's highest good, (Rom. 
28; Heb. 12:6-11). 

7 The proving of your faith; as the result of all your 
trials. Much more precious; faith, after it is proved, is 
much more valuable than gold. Tried with .fire; gold is 
tried with fire; and, in like manner, faith is proved by 
fiery trials. 

9 Receiving the salvation of your souls; this salvation 
begins, when one begins really to believe in Christ, though 
its full fruition is not realized till one reaches Heaven. 

The subsequent glories; the glories following His suf- 
ferings; as. pardon, regeneration, justification, sanctifica- 
tion, and glorification— all of which magnify the grace of ^ 
and bring glory to. God, and to the redeemed. 



348 



I. PETER 



but to you they were ministering them; 
which things now were reported to you 
through those who proclaimed the Gospel 
to you by the Holy Spirit sent forth from 
Heaven; into which things angels desire 
to look carefully. 

13 Wherefore, having girded up the 
loins of your mind, being sober, hope per- 
fectly for the grace to he brought to you 
at the revelation of Jesus Christ; 14 as 
children of obedience, not conforming 
yourselves to the former desires in your 
ignorance; 15 but, according as He Who 
called you is holy, do ye yourselves be- 
come holy in all your conduct; 16 be- 
cause it has been written, ''Ye shall be 
holy, because I am Holy." 17 And, if 
ye call on Him as Father, Who, without 
respect of persons, judgeth according to 
each one's work, pass the time of your so- 
journing in fear; 18 knowing that, not 
with perishable things, with silver or gold, 
were ye redeemed from your vain course 



of life handed down from your fathers; 
19 but with the precious blood of Christ, 
as of a lamb without blemish and without 
spot; 20 foreknown, inde'ed, from a found- 
ing of a world, but manifested in the end 
of the times for you, 21 who through 
Him believe in God, Who raised Him 
from the dead, and gave Him glory; so 
that your faith and hope might be in God. 
22 Having purified your souls in your 
obedience to the truth unto unfeigned 
brotherly love, love one another from the 
heart earnestly; 23 having been begotten 
again, not of corruptible seed, but incor- 
ruptible, through the word of God, that 
lives and abides. 24 Because "All flesh 
is as grass, and all its glory as the flower 
of grass: the grass withered, and the 
flower fell off; but the word of the Lord 
abides forever." 

25 And this is the word of the good 
news which was proclaimed to you. 



12 They were ministerina them; the prophets foretold 
things, that were not fulfilled in their day, hut in the days 
of the early Christians, and all since their time. Angels 
desire; ansfels desire to look deeper into human redemp- 
tion—which has depths too profound for finite minds to 
grasp at once, if ever. 

13 Wherefore; since these things had engaged the deep 
Interest of prophets and angels. Havina girded up the 
loins of your mind; heing courageous, diligent, wide 
awake, and in deep earnest, hoth as to your faith and 
practice. 

14 Ignorance; in their unconverted state. 

16 Because I am Holy ; because God is holy, we must be 
holy, if we are to live in His presence. Without holiness 
no man shall see the Lord, (Heb. 12:14). 

17 // ye call upon Ilirn as Father; keep in mind that He 
is to judge you according to your works. 



18 With the precious blood of Christ; Christ's blood was 
the only thing in the universe thut had sufBcient value to 
redeem man from under the curse of the law. 

21 Through Him believe in God; our only access to God 
is through Christ, (John 14:6). 

22 Unto unfeigned love; such love being the end or re- 
sult reached by obedience to the truth. 

23 JVot of corruptible seed; not of mortal parentage, as 
at first. The word is used by the Spirit as an instrument 
in regeneration; eternal life being communicated by the 
Spirit to the individual through the word, when it is truly 
believed. 

24 All flesh is as grass; man's transitory state is con- 
trasted with the word of God that abides forever, (Isa. 
40:6-8). 



CHAPTER n. 

1 Having, therefore, put away all wick- 
edness, and all guile, and hypocrisy, and 
envies, and all evil speakings, 2 as new- 
born babes, long ye for the spiritual,' un- 
adulterated milk, that . thereby ye may 
grow unto salvation, 3 if ye tasted that 
the Lord is gracious; 4 to Whom com- 



er, rational; or. pertaining to the- word. 



ing, a Living Stone, rejected, indeed, by 
men, but with God Elect, Precious, 5 ye 
yourselves also, as living stones, are being 
built up a spiritual house, to be a holy 
priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, 
acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. 
6 Because it is contained in Scripture, 
"Behold, I lay in Zion a Chief Corner- 
stone, Elect, Precious; and he who be- 
lieves on Him shall in nowise be put to 



NOTES ON CHAPTER II. 

1 Having put away; until one has put away all evil 
practices, he can have but little relish for the word. 

2 Spiritual, unadulterated milk; the pure truths of the 
Gospel. That thereby ye may grow; by feeding on these 
truths. 

3 If ye tasted; learned by experience. (Ps. 34:8). The 
Lord; Jesus Christ. 

i A Living Stone; Christ is not only the Rod-, but He is 



the Life— hence the Living Stone, upon Whom the whole 
spiritual structure rests, (Ps. 118:22; John 14:6). 

5 Spiritual house; the assembly of God, which is a spir- 
itual temple built up of living stones; Jesus Christ being 
the Corner-stone, (I Cor. 3:16; Eph. 2:22). A holy priest- 
hoo'd; because they offer spiritual sacrifices through 
Christ— which are a broken heart and a contrite spirit. 
(Ps. 51:17; Hoseal4:2; Heb. 13:15; Rev. 1:6; 5:10). 

6 Scripture; Isa. 28:16. 



I. petp:r 



349 



shame." 7 To you, therefore, who be- 
lieve is the preciousness; but to those who 
disbelieve, "A stone which the builders 
rejected, this was made into a head of a 
corner," Sand "a stone of stumbling, 
and rock of offense " ; who stumble, being 
disobedient to the word, to which also they 
were appointed. 9 But ye are "an elect 
race, a kingly priesthood, a holy nation,-' 
a people for a possession, that ye may 
show forth the excellencies of Him )Yho 
called you out of darkness into His mar- 
velous light; 10 who once vx'i'e not a peo- 
ple, but are now God's people; who had 
not obtained mercy, but now have obtained 
mercy. 

11 Beloved, I beseech you as sojourners 
and pilgrims, to abstain from fleshly de- 
sires, which, indeed, war against the soul; 
12 having your conduct seemly among the 
gentiles; that, wdierein they speak against 
you as evil-doers, they may, from your 
good works which they behold, glorify 
God in the day of visitation. 

13 Submit yourself to every human or- 
dinance, "^ for the Lord's sake; whether to 
a king as supreme; 14 or to governors, 
as sent through him for the punishment of 
evil-doers, and for praise to those who do 
well; 15 for so is the will of God, that by 



well-doing ye should put to silence the ig- 
norance of foolish men; 16 as free, and 
not holding your freedom as a cloak for 
wickedness, but as servants of God. 17 
Honor all men; love the brotherhood; fear 
God; honor the king. 

18 Servants,^ be subject to your masters 
with all fear, not only to the good and 
gentle, but also to the perverse. 19 For 
this is acceptable, if, for conscience toward 
God, one endures griefs, suffering wrong- 
fully. 20 For what glory is it^ if, when 
sinning and being beaten, ye endure it f 
but, if, -when doing well and suffering /br 
/Y, ye endure •?Y, this is acceptable '^ with 
God. 21 For to this were ye called, be- 
cause Christ also suffered for you, leaving 
you an example, that ye should follow His 
steps; 22 Who did no sin, neither was 
guile found in his mouth; 23 Who, when 
reviled, reviled not again; when suffering, 
was not threatening, but committed Him- 
self to Him Who judgeth righteously; 24 
Who Himself bore our sins in His own 
body on the tree, that we, having died to 
sins, might live to righteousness; by Whose 
bruise ye were healed. 25 For, as sheep, 
ye were going astray; but now ye returned 
to the Shepherd and overseer of your 
souls. 



2 Gr. Creation. 



Gr. Domeatics. i Gr. Grace. 



7 Tlie stone: Christ. The builders; the Jewish rulers. 
(Matt. 21:42; Acts 4:11). 

8 Stunible; over the Gospel. Were appointed; Judas 
•was appointed to betray Christ; and the Jewish rulers, to 
condemn Him to death; but this appointment did not 
make them the less guilty of His murder. 

9 Shoio forth His excellencies; His glorious attributes, 
and wonderful grace. 

10 Not apeople; Hoseal:9, 10; 2:1. 

U As strangers and pilorims; referring to their scat- 
tered condition at that time, and to the fact that the true 
Christian is always a pilgrim. (I Chron. 20:15; Heb. 11:9, 
10, 13-16). 

12 The day of visitation; when the Gospel is accompa- 
nied by the power of the Spirit. 

13 Every ordinance; or civil law, or judicial enactment. 
Christians are to obey all laws or ordinances of human 
government, except when they come in between them and 
God; then they must obey God, and take the conse- 
quences. For the Lord's sake; to honor Him. 

14 For the praise of those who do ivell; for the ci 
dation and protection of the good and law-abiding 



15 Put to silence; hush the mouths of slanderers. A 
pure life is the best method of doing this. 

16 F)-ee; free from the service of sin and Satan, and 
free from slavish fear to human institutions, (Gal. 5:13). 
Cloak for wickedness; using your liberty as an occasion 
for doing wrong. , 

17 Honor all men; by showing each proper respect. 
Brotherhood; the community of believers. 

18 All fear; all proper consideration. Rulers, because 
they are such, are to be respected, whether they persoa- 
ally merit it or not. We are to respect the office, when the 
man is not worthy of it, 

21 To this were ye called; that is, they were called to 
suffer wrong patiently, (Isa. 53:7-9). We honor Him. 
when our conduct, under sore trials, resembles His own. 

24 Who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the 
tree; the sins of all were laid on Jesus (Isa. 53:6), and He 
put them away by the sacrifice of Himself, (Heb. 9:28). 
Bead to sins; free from their guilt and power. By Whose 
bruise ye were healed; healed in spirit, soul, and body, 
through the sufierings of Jesus Christ in our behalf. 

25 The Shepherd and Overseer; Jesus Christ, (Isa. 40:11). 



CHAPTER IH. 

1 In like manner, ye wives, he subject 
to your own husbands; that, if any obey 



not the word, they may, without the word, 
be gained ' through the conduct of their 



NOTES ON CHAPTER III. 
Submit ycurselves to your own husbands; as the head 



of the family. Without the word: without the preaching 
of the Gospel, but through observation on the godly lives 
of their wives. May he gained; won to Christ. 



350 



I. PETER 



wives, 2 having' beheld your chaste con- 
duct mingled with fear: 3 whose adorn- 
ing^ let it not be the outward one of braiding 
of hair and of wearing of golden ornaments 
or of putting on apparel; 4 but let it le 
the hidden man of the heart, in the incor- 
ruptible apparel of a meek and quiet spirit, 
which in the sight of God is of great price. 
5 For thus, in former times, the holy 
women also, who hoped in God, were wont 
to adorn themselves, submitting them- 
selves to their own husbands; 6 as Sarah 
obeyed Abraham, calling him lord, of 
whom ye became children; if ye do good, 
and fear no alarm. 

7 Ye husbands, in like manner, dwell 
with them according to knowledge, assign- 
ing honor to the woman, as to the weaker 
vessel, as being also joint-heirs of the grace 
of life; to the end that your prayers be not 
hindered. 

8 And, finally, 1)6 ye all of one mind, 
compassionate, loving as brethren, tender- 
hearted, humble-minded; 9 not return- 
ing evil for evil, or reviling for reviling; 
but, on the contrary, blessing; because 
to this end ye were called, that ye might 
inherit a blessing, 10 For, "He who 
wishes to love life, and to see good days, 
let him refrain his tongue from evil and 
his lips from speaking guile; 11 and let 
him turn away from evil, and do good; 
let him seek peace, and pursue it; 12 



because the eyes of the Lord are upon 
the righteous, and His ears a/re toward 
their supplication; but the face of tlieLord 
is against those who do evil." 

13 And who is he that will harm you, if 
ye become zealous for that which is good? 
14 But, if ye should even suffer for right- 
eousness' sake, happy are ye. But fear 
not their 'fear, neither be troubled; 15 
but sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts; 
ready always for an answer to every one 
who asks of you an account concerning the 
hope that is in you, yet with meekness and 
fear; 16 having a good conscience; that, 
in whatever ye are spoken against, those 
who revile your good conduct miiy be put 
to shame. 17 For it is better, if the will 
of -God should will it, that ye su^er /or 
well-doing, than for evil-doing; 18 be- 
cause Christ also suffered^ for sins once, a 
Righteous One in behalf of ^//g unrighteous, 
that He might bring us to God, being put to 
death in flesh, but made alive in the Spirit, 
19 in Whom, also, going. He preached to 
the spirits in prison, 20 who were once 
disobedient, when the long-stiffering of 
God was waiting in the days of Noah, 
while an ark was being prepared, enterhig 
into which, a few, that is, eight, souls were 
saved through water; 21 which, in its an- 
ti-type, immersion, now saves you also 
(not a putting away of the filth of flesh. 



2 Or. dica. 



3, 4 Whose adorning; Christian -women shoaid not adorn 
themselves -with costly apparel and golden ornaments, but 
■with, a meek and quiet spirit— whiciy is the adorning that 
comes from God. God delights to adorn His fully surren 
dered and obedient children -with the beautiful fruitage of 
the Spirit— -which, -when perfected, is a reproduction of the 
life of Christ in them. 

6 Calling Mm lord; thus recognizing her subordination 
to him as her rightful head. (Gen. 18:12; I Cor. 11:3). 

7 Assigning honor to the woman: giving her due regard, 
kind attention, and affectionate assistance. Joint-heirs of 
the grace of life; partakers of divine grace, and equally en- 
titled to the blessings of the Gospel. This latter consider- 
ation is to have its due influence in controlling the actions 
of a husband to-wards his -wife, being herself a Christian. 

10-12 Quoted from Ps. 34:12-16. 

12 Over the righteous; to protect and bless them. 

13 Who is he that will harm you; a pure and holy life has 
a tendency to disarm opposition, except, perhaps, in the 
case of religious bigots, -who hate and oppose everybodj 
-whose life and teachings expose their hypocrisy. 

14 Happy; Matt. 5:10. Fear not their fear; feav no evi 
that they threaten, (Isa. 8:12. 13). 

15 Sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts; enthrone 
Christ as Lord and Ruler of your hearts, and put the gov- 
ernment of your being all in His hands. 

16 A good conscience; an enlightened conscience that is 



cleansed from all guilt through the blood of Christ, -whose 
decisions are according to the -word of God. 

18 Suffered for sins once; -when He hung on the cross. 
The sins of the world -were laid on Him. and this -was the 
occasion of His suffering, (Isa. 53:.5. 6). Bring tts fo God; 
the purpose of Christ in dying for sinners was to bring 
them to God. He delights to wash sinners in His own 
blood, cleanse, and purify them, and then bring His Father 
in. and the Two take up Their abode with him, (John 14: 
23). What infinite grace! 

19 In TTJiom.,' in the Spirit; the Holy Spirit. Prmched; 
through Noah, who preached while building the ark. To 
the spirito now in pi-ison; when Peter was writing, they 
were shut up in the prison house of Hades, but it does not 
appear that Jesus preached to the lost. He had preached 
to them when they were on earth, and through Noah 
"After death, the judgment," not after death another pro- 
bation! 

20 Were saved; Gen. 7:7. 

21 Wliich; referring to salvation through water, bnt in 
a different sense: In anti-type, which is immersion; im- 
mersion being the anti-type of the experience which came 
to Noah and His family through means of the ark that 
bore them safely through the waters of the flood. As that 
experience gave them deliverance from physical death; so 
the reality, of which immersion is the outward symbol, 
saves from eternal death. Not a putting away of the fiUh 



I. PETER 



351 



but the requirement^ of a good conscience 
toward God), through the resurrection of 



Or, rctiutai. 



Jesus Christ, 22 Who is on the right hand 
of God, having gone into Heaven, angels 
and authorities and powers having been 
made subject to Him. 



of ilesh ; it is not the cleansinsj of the body in the waters of 
immersion that brings salvation, but the removal of guilt 
through faith in the blood of Christ But the requirement 
of a good conscience toward Qod; as immersion becomes a 
duty of every true believer, a good conscience, when duly 
enlightened by the Holy Spirit, demands nothing less than 
submission to this ordinance; and when, for Christ's sake, 
one has submitted to be buried with Him by immersion 
into death, his conscience is forever at rest on that subject. 



He has complied with the divine ordinance, and he is at 
rest about it; not that he rests in his immersion for salva- 
tion, but, being already saved as a believer in Christ, he is 
now ready to obey the outward ordinance, and thus take 
his place in God's beautiful picture ordinance. Through 
the resurrection of Jesus Christ; His resurrection being the 
decisive proof that His atonement was accepted as a pro- 
pi tiation for the sins of men, (I John 2 : 2) . 

22 Having gone into Heaven ; as our Fore-runner and 
Intercessor. (Heb. 6:20; 7:25; Matt. 28:18). 



CHAPTER IV. 

1 Christ, therefore, having suffered in 
flesh, do ye also arm yourselves with the 
same mind;^ because he who suffered in 
flesh has ceased from sin; 2 that ye no 
longer live the rest of your time in the 
flesh to the desires of men, but to the will 
of God. 3 For the time past is suflicient 
to have wrought the will of the gentiles, 
having walked in wantonness, lusts, wine- 
bibbings, revelings, carousings, and im- 
pious idolatries; 4 at which they are sur- 
prised, since ye run not with them to the 
same excess^ of riot, speaking evil of you; 
.5 who shall render an account to Him 
"Who is ready to judge the living and the 
dead. 6 For to this end was the Gospel 
proclaimed even to the dead, that they 
might, indeed, be judged according to 
men in flesh, but live according to God in 
spirit. 

7 But the end of all things has drawn 



1 Or, purpose. 2 Or, flood. 



near; be ye, therefore, of sound mind, 
and be sober unto prayers; 8 above all 
things, having fervent love among your- 
selves, because love covers a multitude of 
sins; 9 being hospitable to one another, 
without murmuring; 10 according as each 
one received a gift, ministering it among 
yourselves, as good stewards of the mani- 
fold grace of God; 11 if anyone speaks, 
as uttering the oracles of God; if anyone 
ministers, ministering as of the strength 
which God supplieth; that in all things 
God may be glorified through Jesus Christ; 
to Whom is the glory and the dominion 
forever and ever. Amen. 

12 Beloved, be not surprised at the 
fiery-test taking place among you to prove 
you, as though a strange thing happened 
to you; 13 but, in so far as ye share in 
Christ's sufferings, rejoice; that at the 
revelation of His glory also ye may re- 
joice with exceeding joy. 14 If ye are re- 
proached in Christ's name, happy are ye, 
because the Spirit of glory and that of God 



NOTES ON CHAPTER IV. 

1 Christ having suffered in flesh; referring to His suffer- 
ings in ch. 3:18. Arm yourselves with the same mind; with 
the same readiness to suffer in flesh as Christ manifested. 
Suffered in flesh; suffered for Christ's sake. (ch. 1:6. 7; 2: 
19-21; 3:li-17). Has ceased from sin; has died to sin, and 
sin has lost all dominion over him. 

2 Desires of men; their carnal, sinful desires. We can- 
not afford to live to please men. 

3 Wrought the will of the gentiles: referring to their 
former, sinful lives, before they accepted Christ as Savior. 

i They; the ungodly. 

5 Who; these wicked ones. 

6 To the dead; to those now dead, but preached to 
them while they were living. See note on oh. 3:19-21. If 
we understand that by the dead in v. 6 the martyrs of 
Jesus are referred to, we will then see that they were 
judged and condemned according to the judgment of men 
but, like their crucified Master, they are now living to God 
in spirit. 

7 The end of all things; referring, probably, to the end 
of the age, when Christ will come to inaugurate a different 
order of things. 



8 Fervent love; pure and intense love, such as all Chris- 
tians should have for one another. Cover a multitude of 
sins; love seeks to hide the faults of others, and to mag- 
nify their virtues; and, in this spirit, one would overlook 
multitudes of sins, (Prov. 10:12). 

10 deceived a gift; some spiritual gift qualifying one for 
service along any particular line, (I Cor. 12:5-10. Mani- 
fold grace of God; manifested in the bestowment of many 
gifts. 

12 Fiery-test; or fire-test; alluding possibly, not to 
trials in general, but to the fire-test, or burnings, to which 
they were exposed, and through which many lost their 
lives. 

13 Share in Christ's sufferings; believers are called upon 
to suffer reproach for Christ, (besides suffering crucifixion 
with Him as a result of His indwelling in them) ; and 
many of the best and noblest men that ever lived on the 
earth, have lost their lives because of their loyalty to 
Christ. 

14 In the name of Christ; as those called by His name. 
The Spirit of glory . . .rests upon you; to sustain yoa in. 
your sufferings and to give you victory over them. 



352 



I. PETER 



rests upon you. 16 For let no one of 
you suffer as a murderer, or a thief, or an 
evil-doer, or as a meddler in other men's 
matters; 16 but, if one suffers SiS a Chris- 
tian, let him not be ashamed, but let him 
glorify God in this name. 17 Because it 
is the' time for judgment to begin at the 
house of God; and, if it begin first at us, 



what shall he the end of those who obey 
not the Gospel of God? 18 And, if the 
righteous, with difficulty, is saved, where 
shall the ungodly and sinner appear? 19 
Wherefore, let those also who suffer ac- 
cording to the will of God commit their 
souls in well-doing to a Faithful Creator. 



■ 16 Let Mm glory in this name; in the name of Christ by 
which he is called, and because of which he suffers. 

17 At the house of God: with God's people— His spiritual 
house. 

18 With difficulty, is saved; not because of any meager- 
ness of redemptive merit in Christ, but because of the se- 
vere trials through which the early Christians had to pass. 



in order to be saved. Where shall the ungodly . . . appear; 
how certainly and overwhelmingly will they be hurled 
down into the lake of fire and brimstone, (Rev. 20:15). 

In well-doing; living an obedient life, they would 
And it easy and blessed to commit their all to God, to suf- 
fer any sort of death He might select for them. 



CHAPTER V. 

1 The elders, therefore, I exhort, who 
<Mn a fellow-elder, and a witness of Christ's 
sufferings, also a partaker of the glory 
about to be revealed; 2 feed^ the flock 
of God which is among you, overseeing* 
it, not by constraint, but willingly; nor 
yet for base gain, but of a ready mind; 3 
neither as lording it over the allotted 
charges, but becoming examples to th 
flock; 4 and, when the Chief Shepherd 



1 O-c. tend. 2 Some Mss. omit 0««™e«i«i7. 



is manifested, ye will obtain the unfading 
crown of glory. 

5 Likewise, ye younger, be subject to 
the elder; yea, all of j^ou gird on the 
lowly mind to serve one another; because 
"God resisteth the proud, but giveth 
grace to the lowly." 6 Be humbled, there- 
fore, under the mighty hand of God, that 
He may exalt you in due season; 7 hav- 
ing cast all your anxiety on Him, becaus* 
He careth for you. 

8 Be sober, be watchful. Your adver- 
sary'- the Devil, as a roaring lion, is going 
about, seeking Whom he may devour; 9 



NOTES ON CHAPTER V. 

1 Elders; men commissioned to have the care of assem 
blies; these elders were pastors and teachers. The term 
elder included pastors, evangelists, and apostles. It seems 
to be the genus, of which pastor, or overseer, and evangel- 
ist, are species. A fellow-elder; Peter, though an apostle. 
was also an elder; and he here gives his advice to others, 
as being on a common plane with them. 

2 i?'eet?; pasture, tend, (John 21:16). Base gain; money 
unrighteously obtained. It seems here that the apostle 
meant to teach, that to pat a price on the Gospel, would 
be to get such gain. It is far better far the pastor or evan- 
gelist to set no price on his ministry, but to preach as unto 
the Lord, and let the Lord support him through His peo- 
ple, or in any way He may please. The preacher who must 
Tiace an adequate salary as a condition of his preaching at 
all, is probably a total stranger to the Pauline type of 
ministerial call, and has never, very likely, felt, "Woe is 
to me. if I preach not the Gospell " A call of this nature 
puts the matter of salary aside, and drives one into the 
field to preach, and gather in souls, regardless of money. 
Many a high-salaried essay reader or declaimer will have 
a solemn time, when he appears before God in the judg 
ment, and is confronted with some such questions as, "Who 
hath required it at your hands? " or " Why did you put a 
price on the Gospel, that I meant to be free? " Many 
preachers also will be dumbfounded, when they are asked, 
"How much of My Gospel did you preach?" "Why did 
you fail to preach the doctrines of the Spirit-flUed life, 
holiness, healing, and My second coming?— doctrines that 
make up so large a portion of the Gospel? " 

3 Lording it over the allotted charges; exercising undue 



authority over the assembly under one's care. Examples; 
of piety, meekness, humility, and liberal giving. 

4 The Chief Shepherd; Jesus Christ. 

5 £e subject one to another; pay due deference to every 
one, and let no one think himself better than, or above, 
others. Pastors, of course, have authority under the 
Lord, to instruct, admonish, reprove, and rebuke; but out 
of the Lord, they are only men, and should seek no prefer- 
ment. Besisteth the proud; Prov. 3:31; James 4:6. 

Be ye humUed; this is a voluntary humiliation, and 
hence the word may be rendered with sufficient accuracy, 
" Humble yourselves." 

7 Having cast all your anxiety upon Sim; the Greek tense 
here indicates a momentary and complete casting of one's 
anxiety, once for all, upon God, This, in a sense, is done, 
when one makes a complete surrender of himself and his 
all to God for Him to manage at His will. When one puts 
the whole management of his lite in God's hands, he may 
reach the place where all anxiety leaves him, regardless of 
the outward testings that may fall to his lot, (Ps. 55:22). 
Instead of casting one's burden on the Lord, and letting it 
remain with Him, many Christians go to the Lord in 
prayer, and get some temporary relief; and then go away, 
and soon find themselves under the same old burden. 
Christians of this type have never experienced the cruci- 
fixion fully, (Gal. 2:30; 5:24); but after this crucifixion has 
been well passed through, one may live without any anx- 
ious care; nothing disturbing the deep peace of the soul. 
But no one can reach this blissful state of mind and heart, 
until he first surrenders his whole being- to God, receives 
the Holy Spirit to dwell within him. and Christ becomes 
real to his heart, as Ruler of that realm. 



I. PETER 



353 



whom resist, steadfast in the faith, know- 
ing that the same Imids of suflferings are 
being accomplished in your brethren* who 
are in the world. 10 And the God of all 
grace, Who called you into His everlast- 
ing glory in Christ, after ye have suffered 
a little while, will Himself perfect, con- 
firm, strengthen, settle* you. 11 To 
Him he the dominion forever and ever. 



Amen. 12 Through Sylvanus, our faithful 
brother, as I consider him, I wrote to you 
briefly, exhorting, and testifying that 
this is the true grace of God; within which 
stand" ye. 13 The assembly in Babylon, 
elected with you, and Mark my son, sa- 
lute you. 14 Salute ye one another with 
a kiss of love. Peace he to you all who 
are in Christ. 



Brotherhood, i Some Mss. omit settle. 



5 Some Mss. give, have been standing. 



9 Besist; oppose vigorously in the name of Jesus, 
(James 4:7). 

10 After ye have suffered a little while; suffering is indis- 
pensible to a developed, perfect character in Christ. One 
must suffer crucifixion, (Rom. 8:10; II Cor. 4:10, 11; Gal. 
2:20); and, besides this, one must suffer persecution, trib- 
ulation, etc.; and, additional still, he must suffer with 
Christ in the development of His bride. As one endures 



all these things for Jesiis and in sympathy with Him in 
His mighty work, he drops off the self-life, and puts on 
more and more of the life of Christ, and approaches the 
perfect Ideal— Christ— more nearly, while He becomes 
confinned, strengthened, and settled in Christ. 

13 Mark; it is unknown whether this was John Mark, 
the writer of the second Gospel, or another. 



THE — 



SECOND EI^ISTLE OF I^ETER. 



From oh. 1:14. we learn that this epistle was written but a short time before the close of the apostle's life; and 
the contents of the letter agree with this thought. It is an earnest warning against the many errors in doctrine and 
morals that had crept injo the assemblies thus early. A portion of ch. 2 has a striking resemblance to a part of Jude's 
epistle As the most prominent feature of the first epistle is. ' ' Patience and steadfastness in the endurance of suf- 
fering for Christ's sake " ; so that of the second Is a solemn warning "Not to be led astray by the error of the wicked. " 
This epistle was probably written about A. D. 66. 

CONTENTS. 

Ch I Salutation, (vs. 1.2); exhortation to progress in knowledge, (vs. 3. 4) ; growth in character-development, 
(vs. 5^11) ; impressed by one who witnessed the transfiguration of Christ, (vs. 12-18) ; and confirmed by prophecy, (vs. 
19-21). Ch. II. False prophets and teachers and their dreadful doom, (vs. 1-9); presumptious. self-willed, corrupt 
and licentious teachers abound, and deceive many, (vs. 10-21). Ch. III. Further warning against those who appeal 
to the unchanged condition of things, to cast doubt upon Christ's coming, (vs. 1-4) ; the certainty of his coming, (vs. 
5-10) ; a strong motive to holiness of life, (vs. 11-14) ; as Paul teaches, (vs. 15, 16) ; concluding exhortations, (vs. 17, 18). 



II. PETER. 

CHAPTER I. 

1 Simon Peter, a slave and apostle of 
Jesus Christ, to those who obtained an 
equally precious faith with us, in the 
righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus 
Christ: 2 grace to you, and peace be 
multiplied in a full knowledge of God and 
of Jesus our Lord; 3 since His divine 
power has given to us all things pertain- 
ing to life and godliness, through the full 
knowledge of Him Who called us through 
His glory and virtue; 4 through which 
have been given to us very great and 
precious promises, that thro-agh these ye 
may become partakers of tlie divine na- 
ture, having escaped from the corruption 
that is in the world in lust:^ 6 and, even 



NOTES ON CHAPTER I. 
1 Equally precious faith; precious in its cost, Christ's 
blood, and its severe testings, and in its results in the 
salvation and sanctification of believers. With us; the 
apostle includes the whole circle of true believers with 
himself in the possession of this faith. 

3 Life and godliness: the new life in Christ, and godli 
ness as the outward expression of that life. Through Bis 
glory and virtue; as representing the sum of His divine at- 
tributes. It was His glory and virtue that were back of 
His call, and that prompted Him to call us. 

4 Through which; through which glory and virtue, as at 
once the cause and source of the rich provisions of mercy 
in Christ Jesus. Very great and precious promises; such 
as the gift of the Holy Spirit, the revelation of Christ 
to and in the believer's heart, and lellowship with the 
Father and Son, iJohn 4:14; 14:20, 21. 23). Partakers of 
the divine nature: share the nature ol Christ, our divine 
Model, (I John 3:3, 9, 24; Eph. 4:13-15; Heb. 12:10). 

5 For this very reason; because ye are to be partakers 
of the divine nature. The divine germ, so to speak, is 
planted in one in regeneration; and, it this life is fostered 
by the Spirit Who comes vrithin to reveal Christ, and ena- 



for this very reason, adding all diligence, 
in your faith supply virtue;^ and in vir- 
tue, knowledge; 6 and in knowledge, 
continence;* and in continence, patience; 
and in patience, godliness; 7 and in god- 
liness, brotherly affection; and in broth- 
erly affection, love. 8 For, these things, 
belonging to you and abounding, make 
yoio neither idle nor unfruitful regarding 
the full knowledge of our Lord Jesus 
Christ; 9 for he to whom these things 
are lacking is blind, seeing dimly,* having 
forgotten the cleansing from his old sins. 
10 Wherefore, brethren, give the more 
diligence to make your calling apd elec- 
tion sure; for, if ye do these things, ye 
shall in nowise ever stumble; 11 for thus 
shall there be richly supplied to you the 
entrance into the eternal Kingdom of our 
Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. 



2 Or, courage. 3 Or, self-control. 4 Or, closing his < 



ble the believer to enthrone Christ in his heart (Eph. 3: 
16, 17), one may, in a much higher sense, become partaker 
of Christ, or of the divine nature. Faith; the foundation 
of Christian character. Virtue; Christian excellence and 
courage to stand for Chrisi and His word. KnowUdaa; 
meaning an experimental knowledge which comes from 
whole-hearted obedience. 

6 Continence: thorough conttol of one's pB66ionB and 
appitltes, Patience; steady and uncomplaining endujanae 
ot all trials. Godliness; devout reverence for God, an^ 
cocetant regard for His authority. 

7 Brotherly affection; love for the brethren. Zovt; 6U- 
preme love to God and love for all men. It appears Irom 
these injunctions, that the Christian bos an active agency 
in the building up of tis own Christian character. 

9 le Hind: has very Imperfect view oX the Gospel, and 
of its wonderlul possibilities. Gleaaioo from hie old tins; 
having forgotten that, as a believer, his sins were once 
washed away. 

io Make your calling and election sure; by strict obedi- 
ence to all the requirements of the Gospel, and by appro- 
priating its gracious promises. Such a life will confirm 
both your calling and election. 



II. PETER 



355 



12 Wherefore, I shall be always ready 
to remind you of these things, though ye 
know thera^ and have become confirmed in 
the present truth. 13 And I think it 
right, as long as I am in this tabernacle, to 
stir you up by reminding you; 14 know- 
ing that speedy is the putting off of my 
tabernacle, as also our Lord Jesus Christ 
signified to me. 15 And I will also give 
diligence that at all times ye may be able, 
after my departure, to perpetuate "^ the re- 
membrance of these things. 

16 For, not as having followed after 
cunningly-devised stories, did we make 
known to you the power and presence of 
our Lord Jesiis Christ, but as having been 



made spectators of His majesty. 17 For 
He received from God the Father honor 
and glory, when such a voice was borne to 
Him from" the Excellent Glory, "This is 
My Son, the Beloved, in Whom I took de- 
light"; 18 and this voice we heard borne 
from Heaven, when we were with Him in 
the holy mount. 19 And we have the 
more sure prophetic word, to which ye do 
well to take heed, as to a lamp shining in 
a dark place, until the day dawn, and the 
Morning Star arise in your hearts; 20 
knowing this, first, that no prophecy of 
Scripture is of one's own '^ interpretation; 
21 for prophecy was never brought by the 
will of man, but holy men of God spake, 
being moved' by the Holy Spirit. 



Gr. Make. 



6 Or, h\j. 7 Or, private; or, special. 8 Or, borne along. 



12 The present truth; the truth which has come to you, 
and which is the truth especially needed to be reduced to 
practice at this time. 

13 Tabernacle; meaning here his body. 

14 Signified to me; John 21 :18, 19. 

15 These thvngs; the truths and duties he had taught 
above. 

16 Presence of our Lord; referring to His personal pres- 
ence on the mount, (Matt. 17:1-5). 

19 More sure; the prophetic word, as a system of revela- 
tion from God, was more calculated to carry conviction 
than any verbal report, such as he gave them of the trans 



figuration on the mount. Morning Star may arise in your 
hearts; Christ is the Morning Star, (Rev. 22:16); and, when 
He arises in one's heart, darkness flees away. Reader, has 
He arisen in your heart ? 

20 First; first in importance. JVo prophecy of Scripture 
is of one's own interpretation ; that is, it came not from the 
prophet as its source; or, in other words, he was not the 
author of the prophecy. The prophecy was not the proph- 
et's own private interpretation of the divine counsels. 

21 Being moved by the Holy Spirit; the Holy Spirit took 
possession of the prophet's mind, and moved him to speak 
just what God wished him to say. 



CHAPTER II. 

1 But there arose false prophets also 
among the people, as among you also there 
will be false teachers, who, indeed, will 
stealthily bring in heresies^ of perdition 
denying even the Master Who bought 
them, bringing upon themselves swift per 
dition; 2 and many will follow their las 
civious doings; by reason of who^ the way 
of the truth will be defamed; 3 and, in 
covetousness, will they, with feigned 
words, make merchandise of you; for 
whom the judgment from of ol(l lingers 
not, and their perdition slumbers not. 

4 For, if God spared not angels that 
sinned, but, hurling them down to Hell,^ 



delivered them up to pits of darkness, kept 
for judgment; 5 and spared not the old 
world; but preserved Noah, an eighth j9gr- 
soTiy a preacher of righteousness, bringing 
a flood upon a world of ungodly people; 6 
and, turning to ashes the cities of Sodom 
and Gomorrah, condemned them by an 
overthrow,^ having made them an example 
to those who would live ungodly; 7 and 
delivered righteous Lot, distressed by the 
conduct of those who were impious in las- 
civiousness, (8 for this righteous man, 
dwelling among them, in seeing and hear- 
ing, was torturing his righteous soul from 
day to day with their lawless deeds): 9 
the Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly 



1 Or, sects. 2 Gr. Tartarus. 



Some Mss. omit overthrow. 



NOTES ON CHAPTER IX. 

1 False prophets; the Devil has his prophets of different 
orders, all the way from the bold, blatant infidel, to " the 
angel of light," who comes to capture people with " entic- 
ing words. " Heresies of perdition; ruinous teachings, that 
form around them parties or sects to advocate and propa- 
gate them. There are many of these in the world now 
Denying even the Master Wlio bought them; denying the vi 
carious sufferings of Christ, and setting at nought His 
atoning blood. 

3 With feigned words; concealing their real purpose with 



a show of godliness. Make merchandise of you; get all the 
money possible out of you, wholly disregarding your spir- 
itual needs. 

4 For, if the Lord spared not the angels; all from vs. 4-8 
is connected with v- 9. "If the Lord spared not the an- 
gels"— spared not the old world, but saved Noah— de- 
stroyed the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah, but saved Lot 
—it is from these examples, evident that He is able to de- 
liver the righteous. 

5 Noah; Gen. 7. 

6-9 Sodom and Gomorrah.; Gen, 19:16-25. 



356 



II. PETER 



out of temptation, and to keep the unright- 
eous enduring punishment unto the day of 
judgment; 10 but especially those who 
walk after the flesh in a desire for pollu- 
tion, and despise dominion; daring, self- 
willed, they tremble not, when railing at 
dignities;* 11 whereas angels, though 
greater in might and power, bring not a 
railing judgment against them before the 
Lord. 12 But these, as irrational crea- 
tures, born naturally for capture and de- 
struction, railing in matters of which they 
are ignorant, shall in their destruction be 
also destroyed, 13 suffering evil as wages 
of unrighteousness; accounting revelry in 
the day-time a pleasure; spots and blem- 
ishes; reveling in their love-feasts, while 
feasting with you; 14 having eyes full of 
lustfulness,'* and that cannot cease from 
sin; enticing unstable souls; having a heart 
exercised in covetousness; children of a 
curse; 15 leaving the right way, they 
were led astray, having followed the way 
of Balaam, the son of Beor,'* who loved the 
wages of unrighteousness, 16 but liad a 
rebuke for his own transgression; a dumb 



beast-of -burden, speaking in man's voice, 
forbade the prophet's madness. 

17 These are fountains without water, 
and mists driven by a storm, for whom the 
blackness of darkness has been reserved. 
18 For, uttering great swelling wards of 
vanity, they entice, in desires of the flesh, 
by their lasciviousness, those just escaping 
from those who live in error; 19 promis- 
ing them liberty, while they themselves 
are slaves of corruption; for by what' one 
is overcome by this* he has become en- 
slaved. 20 For if, after having escaped 
the defilements of the world in a full 
knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus 
Christ, but, having again become entang- 
led with these, they are overcome, the last 
state has become worse with them than the 
first. 21 For it were better for them not to 
have fully known the way of righteous- 
ness, than, having known it, to turn back 
from the holy commandment delivered to 
them. 22 It has happened to them ac- 
cording to the true proverb, "A dog hav- 
ing returned to his own vomit"; and "A 
sow that was washed, to her wallowing in 
mire." 



4 Gr. Glories. 5 Gr. Adulter 



Or. Bo 



7 Or, ivliom. 8 Or. this < 



10 But especially those; the corrupt men just spoken of. 
who were guilty of sodomy. Dignities; public officers, who 
should be respected, and obeyed as far as they do right. 

11 Angels . . . hring 7iot railing judgment againstthem; 
against the dignities that oppose them in their execution 
of God's commands. (Jude 9). 

13 Suffering evil as wages of unrighteousness; wrong-do- 
ing is sure to bring suffering, sooner or later. The people 
of the old world, and of Sodom and Gomorrah, were all de- 
stroyed as "wages of unrighteousness." Revelry in the 
day-time; shamelessly, while ordinary sinners are content 
to riot in the night. (Rom. 13:12). 

14 Cannot cease from sin; being so under the power of 
sinful lusts. 

15 Bear; or Bosor. (Num. 22:5). 

16 A dumb heast-of-burden; an ass, ordinarily dumb, 
but able to speak to its cruel and irate master, (Num. 22: 
22-33). 



17 Fountains without water; a graphic description of 
these boastful false teachers, who promised much, but gave 
nothing of value, being destitute of all good. Clouds; that 
promise rain, but bring only wind. The blackness of dark- 
ness; the densest darkness is reserved for these sinful, 
blustering hypocrites. 

18 Gi-eat swelling words of vanity; making boastful pro- 
fessions of their light and knowledge, with large promises 
of good to others. TJwse jxist escaping; those who had but 
recently left the walks of sin, and entered upon the Chris- 
tian life. These boastful teachers entice these young be- 
lievers, and often ensnare them. 

19 Promising them liberty; false liberty, which amounts 
to license for all fleshly Indulgences, (Gal. 5:13; I Peter 
2:16; Jude 4). 

20 The last state; those who renounce Christianity, or 
nominally hold to it, while their lives are full of corrup- 
tion, are in a worse state than they were before they pro- 
fessed their faith in Christ. 



CHAPTER III. 

1 This, a second letter, beloved, I now 
write to you, in ioth which I stir up your 
sincere mind by way of remembrance; 2 
that ye remember the words spoken before 
by holy prophets, and the commandments of 
the Lord and Savior by ' j^our apostles. 3 



Knowing this first, that there will come in 
the last days scoffers with scoffing, walk- 
ing after their own desires, 4 and saying, 
"Where is the promise of His conaing?^ 
for, from the day the fathers fell asleep, 
all things remain as they were from the be- 
ginning of the creation." 5 For this es- 



er. Presence. 



NOTES ON CHAPTER III. 
4 The promise of His coming; the scoffers in that day, as 
a this, are still crying, "Where is the promise of His com 



ing?" All things remain as they were; this assertion the 
apostle proves to be false, by pointing to the flood and to 
the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah. 



II. PETER 



357 



capes them willingly/ that there were 
heavens of old, and an earth set together 
out of water, and through water, by the 
word of Grod: 6 through which means the 
world that then was, being overflowed with 
water, perished; 7 but the present heavens 
and the earth, by the same word, have been 
stored up for* fire, being kept unto the day 
of judgmentand perdition of ungodly men. 

8 But, beloved, let not this one thing es- 
cape you, that one day with the Lord is as 
a thousand years, and a thousand years as 
one day. 9 The Lord is not slow"^ respect- 
ing the promise, as some account slowness; 
but He is long-suffering toward you, not 
wishing that any should perish, but that 
all should come to repentance. 10 ^Mtthe 
day of the Lord will come as a thief, in 
which the heavens will pass away with a 
rushing noise, and the elements, being in- 
tensely hot, shall be dissolved, and the earth 
and the works therein shall be burned" up. 

11 Seeing, therefore, that all these things 
are thus to he dissolved, what manner of 
persons ought ye to be in all holy conduct 



3 Gr. Willing. 4 Ov. with fire. 5 Or, tardy. 6 Some 
ancient Mss. read, discovered. 



and godliness, 12 looking for, and hasten- 
ing the coming of the day of Grod, because 
of which the heavens, being on fire, will be 
dissolved; and the elements, being in- 
tensely hot, shall melt! 13 But, accord- 
ing to His promise, we look for new heav- 
ens and a new earth, wherein dwells right- 
eousness. 

14 Wherefore, beloved, since ye a/re look- 
ing for these things, give diligence that ye 
be found in peace, without spot and blame- 
less in His sight. 15 And account the long- 
suffering of our Lord salvation; as our be- 
loved brother Paul also, according to the 
wisdom given him, wrote to you; 16 as 
also in all his letters, speaking in them of 
these things ; in which are some things hard 
to be understood, which the ignorant and 
unstable wrest, as they do also the other 
Scriptures, to their own destruction. 17 
Ye, therefore, beloved, knowing these 
things beforehand, be on your guard, lest, 
being carried away with error of the 
wicked, ye fall from your own steadfast- 
ness. 18 But grow in the grace and knowl- 
edge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. 
To Him te the glory now and forever.^ 



7 Gr. Unto a day of eternity. 



5 An earth set together out of water; alluding to the ac- 
count in Gen. 1:2. At the command of God, the earth rose 
out of its watery environments, and became dry land. 

6 The world perished; it perished by water once, but will 
perish by fire next time. 

7 By the same word; the word of God by which the 
worlds were made, (v. 5; Gen. 1 :1-10). 

8 A thousand years as one day; "with God it is an eter- 
nal now."' God's promises stand sure, regardless of the 
time when they are to be fulfilled. His remotest promise 
is as sure to be fulfilled as the one which is nearest its ful- 
fillment, (Ps. 90:4). 

9 Not slow respecting the promise; the promise relating- 
to His second coming, to reward His saints, and to punish 
His enemies. Long-suffering; God's long-suffering is a 
proof that He wishes men to have the fullest opportunity 
to repent and be saved. 

10 The day of the Lord; when He will come to judge the 
world. 

12 Hastening the coming of the day of the Lord; it is the 
duty of Christians to evangelize the world, (Matt, 28 : 19, 20) ; 
and, when this is fully done by gathering out of the gentiles 
a people for His name (Acts 15:14), and by preaching the 
Gospel of the Kingdom as^i witness to the nations (Matt. 



24:14), the Bridegroom will then come for His bride; and, 
after the great tribulation, the Millennial dispensation will 
begin. It seems to be clearly in the power of Christians 
to hasten, in this sense, the coming of the day of God. 
Theheavmis . . . will he dissolved; this, it appears, will not 
take place till after the Millennium ; possibly in connection 

th the fire that destroys the insurgents under Satan's 
last effort to oppose Christ, (Rev. 20:9). Others think that 
the earth will be destroyed when Christ returns with His 
bride. 

13 According to His promise; Isa,. m:22; Key. 21:1. The 
new heavens and the new earth emerge from the dissolv- 
ing fires, and become the abodes of righteousness. 

15 Wrote to you: Paul wrote to believers, and he of ten 
refers to the second coming of Christ, (I Cor. 15:51, 53; I 
Thess. 4:14-18; II Thess. 1:5-10). 

These things; Christ's second coming and the events 
connected with it. Ignorant and unstable; ignorant per- 
sons who have no fixed principles, and do not love the 
truth. Wrest; pervert, misunderstand, or misapply. 

18 Groxoin grace and Knowledge; increase your knowl- 
edge of Him. become more like Him. and thus " grow up 
into Him in all things," (Eph. 4:15). 



— THE — 

FIRST EPISTLE OE JOHI^. 



The three epistles of John were early received as canonical. This epistle is supposed to have been written about 
A. D. 8&-90, at Ephesus. and forms a sort of "Companion to the Gospel." It is wonderfully helpful to the honest 
Christian who seeks to be assured of his salvation, and to live on high Christian ground. 

CONTENTS. 

Chs. I, II. Firm historical foundation of the Gospel, (1:1-4) ; walking in the light of fellowship with God brings 
forgiveness and freedom from sin, (1:5—11:1-11); while it separates from the world (11:13-17), and from anti-Chris- 
tian doctrine, (11:18-28); the Holy Spirit being the Infallible Teacher. Chs. Ill, IV The exalted prospect of the 
Ohristianpledgeshim to a lite of righteousness and love (111:1-18), and to unshaken faith in Christ (111:19— IV: 1-6), 
of which faith and love for the brethren are the practical expressions, (IV:7-21). Ch. V. Faith, obedience, and love to 
God and man are inseparable, (vs. 1-4) ; the three-told witness, (vs. 5-12) ; Christian confidence, (vs. 13-21). 



I. jOHisr. 

CHAPTEE I. 

1 That which was from the beginning, 
that which we have heard, that which we 
have seen with our eyes, that which we 
gazed upon, and our hands handled, con- 
cerning the Word of Life (2 and the 
Life was manifested, and we have seen, 
and bear witness, and declare to you The 
Eternal Life; Who, indeed, was with the 
Father, and was manifested to us); that 
which we have seen and heard we declare 
to you also, that ye also may have fellow- 
ship with us; and our fellowship also is 
with the Father, and with His Son Jesus 
Christ. 4 And these things we write, that 
your* joy may be made full. 



1 Many Mss. have ( 



6 And this is the message which we 
have heard from Him, and announce to 
you, that God is Light, and in Him there 
is no darkness at all. 6 If we say that we 
have fellowship with Him, and are walk- 
ing in the darkness, we lie, and do not the 
truth; 7 but, if we walk in the light, as 
He is in the light, we have fellowship with 
One another, and the blood of Jesus His 
Son cleanses us from all sin. 8 If we say. 

We have no sin, " we deceive ourselves, 
and the truth is not in us. 9 If we con- 
fess our sins, He is faithful and righteous 
to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us 
from all unrighteousness. 10 If we say, 
"We have not sinned," we make Him a 
liar, and His word is not in us. 



NOTES ON CHAPTER I. 

1 That which was from the beginning; and in the begin 
ning. and existed from the beginning, (John 1:1). ffave 
heard; when listening to the voice of Jesus. Our hands 
handled; Luke 24:39. The Word of Life; the Word, as 
here used, as also in John 1:1, 14, represents Christ's di 
vine and eternal personality. He is called the Word of 
Life, because He Is the Author of natural and spiritual 
life. 

2 The life was manifested; by taking on a human body, 
(John 1:14). ^Yas with the Father; dwelt with Him from 
eternity as an essential element in the God-head, (John 
1:18; 16:28; 17:5,24). 

3 Fellowship with us ; in our union and communion with 
the Father and Son, (John 14:23; 17:21, 23). 

4 That your joy may be made full; by your acceptance 
of the truth, and your union with Christ and the Father. 
God's people should be full of joy and gladness— so full, in 
fact, that no gloom, sadness, or melancholy, can ever have 
any more place in them; and the way to have it so is. to 
yield the life wholly to God, and learn to walk in the light 
with God every day, having unbroken fellowship with the 
Father and with His Son. Such a life is possible. 

5 God is Light; His nature is perfectly pure, and He i 
the very source of light, as well as the light itself. 

6 If we say we have fellowship with Him; persons claim 
ing to have fellowship with God must walk in the light 



with Him. One's walking in darkness is proof that he is 
not walking with God. 

7 Walking in the light with God, we and God have fel- 
lowship; and, in that event, the blood of Jesus Christ 
cleanses us from all sin. 

If we say, "We have no sin"; no sin to be cleansed 
away. Of course, if one is in the place where he is cleansed 
from all sin, he does not then need any further cleansing 
from it. Sin is used to denote the sin-principle, or de- 
praved nature ; and this can be handled successfully only 
by Christ, when He is enthroned in the heart, and the gov- 
ernment is all put upon His shoulder. 

9 // we confess our sins; our transgressions, acts of dis- 
obedience, or failure in any duty. Sins result from the 
sin-principle, which is the prolific mother of all sins. 
Confession of sins implies repentance and sorrow because 
of their commission. He; the Father. Is faithful and 
righteous; in His dealings with His Soni Who has borne 
our sins for us. The Father would violate His agreement 
with His Son, if He refused to forgive the sins of the peni- 
tent, when he truly confesses them. Cleanse us; from the 
guilt and defilement of the sins confessed. This should be 
the golden text of every child of God, as it is God's recipe 
to us for getting forgiveness and cleansing. Of course, 
the one who confesses should believe that God does just 
what He promises— viz., forgive, and cleanse, 

10 MaTce Him a liar; treat Him as if He were a liar, by 
disbelieving His word, which declares that "all have 
sinned," (Rom. 3:23; 5:12). 



I. JOHN 



359 



CHAPTER II. 

1 My little children, these things I write 
to you, that ye may not sin. And, if any 
one sin, we have an Advocate with the 
Father, Jesus Christ, the Righteous. 2 
And He is the propitiation for our sins; 
and not for ours only, but also for the 
whole world. 3 And in this we know that 
we have known Him, if we keep His com- 
mandments. 4 He who says, "I have 
known Him," and does not keep His com- 
mandments, is a liar, and the truth is not 
in him; 5 but whosoever keeps His word, 
truly in him the love of God has been per- 
fected: in this we know that we are in 
Him. 6 He who says that he is abiding 
in Him ought himself also to walk even as 
He walked. 

7 Beloved, I write no new command- 
ment to you, but and old commandment 
which ye had from the beginning. The 
old commandment is the word which ye 
heard. 8 Again, a new commandment I 
write to you, which thing is true in Him 
and in you; because the darkness is pass- 
ing away, and the true light is already 



shining. 9 He who says that he is in the 
light, and hates his brother, is in the dark- 
ness even until now, 10 He that loves his 
brother abides in the light, and there is no 
occasion of stumbling in him. 11 But he 
that hates his brother is in the darkness, 
and walks in the darkness, and knows not 
where he is going, because the darkness 
blinded his eyes. 12 I write to you, little 
children, because your sins have been for- 
given you for His name's sake. 13 I write 
to you, fathers, because ye have known 
Him Who is from the beginning. I write 
to you, young men, because ye have con- 
quered the evil one. I wrote to you, lit- 
tle children, because ye have known the 
Father. 14 I wrote to you, fathers, be- 
cause ye have known Him Who is from 
the beginning. I wrote to you, young 
men, because ye are strong, and the word 
of God abides in you, and ye have con- 
quered the evil one. 

15 Love not the world, nor the things 
in the world. If anyone loves the world, 
the love of the Father is not in him; 16 
because all that is in the world — the desire 



NOTES ON CHAPTER II. 

1 M.\i little children; the true children of God, whom the 
apostle calls his own. T/iese things; tbe things referring 
to God's willingness to forgive sins, (ch. 1 :7, 9). 

2 Propitiation for our sins . . . also for the whole world; 
in putting away sins by the sacrifice of Himself (Heb. 9:26), 
He opened the way for all who will repent and believe, to 
toe saved. 

3 We know; to Imow God truly is to have an experi- 
mental knowledge of Him as our Savior, Father, and 
Friend. Whole-hearted obedience is the door- way to such 
knowledge. 

5 Love of Ood . . . perfected; by bringing forth the 
proper fruit, and thereby proving its genuineness. In this; 
in keeping His commandments. 

6 He who says that he abides in Him; the one who claims 
that he is living in union with Christ ought to walk as 
Christ walked. It is his walk that tells his relation to 
Christ, rather than his words. 

7 Not a new commandment; no commandment revealed 
to them now for the first time. From the beginning; from 
the time when the Gospel was first preached to them. He 
refers to the commandment bearing on love. 

8 Again, a new commandment; the old one, seen in a 
new sense. Which thing is true; it is true that it is a new 
commandment. Ill Him and in you; in the case of Christ 
Who gave it, and in the case of you who received it. The 
darkness is passing away : the darkness that preceded the 
coming of the Gospel— which darkness is now passing 
away in the light which Christ is shedding upon the world. 
Thetrue light; John 8:12; 9:5; 12:33. 36. This darkness is 
practically dispelled in those Christians whose lives are 
all radiant with divine love, 

9 Is in the darkness ; whosoever hates his brother is in 
gross darkness ; because hatred is the essence of spiritual 
darkness. 



10 No occasion of stumbling in him; because his whole 
being is lighted up with heavenly love and light, and there 
is no reason for stumbling in such a person. 

11 The darkness blinded his eyes; blinded by hatred, he 
gropes his way in darkness, and stumbles and falls into 
perdition. 

12-14 The apostle here addresses three classes of Chris- 
tians; "little children," "young men," and "fathers." 
He probably formed these classifications, not so much on 
the relative ages of the parties, as the different stages in 
their Christian experience. He appeals to the fact of 
their experience in each case ; the little children have had 
their sins forgiven (v. 12), and they know the Father (v. 
14) ; the young men have overcome the evil one (v. 13), 
and are strong and have the word of God abiding in them 
(v. 14) ; and the fathers know Him Who was from the be- 
ginning (v. 13). The different tenses, "I write," and "I 
wrote." relate, probably, to the present epistle Some 
think that the apostle included all under "little children," 
and gave "fathers" and "young men" as divisions of 
the general class. 

12 Tour sins have been forgiven; this is the beginning of 
the Christian life. His name's sake; because of what Christ 
has done in putting away sin. 

13 Him Who is from the beginning; Christ, (John 1:1). 

15 Love not the world; its treasures, pleasures, and hon- 
ors. (Matt. 6:19-24). 

16 The desire of the nesh; the evils connected with our 
physical being — eating, drinking, etc. The desire of the 
eyes; the soulish evils that oppose the will of God— as 
dress, parade, show, etc. The vain-glory of life; the pride 
that leads one to seek honor, popularity, glory, etc. These 
three sources of evil embrace all in man that antagonizes 
the new man. The Devil dropped his poison into our first 
parents (Gen. 3:1-9). and it has vitiated man's spirit, soul, 
and body. 



360 



I. JOHN 



of the flesh, the desire of the eyes, and the 
vain-glory of life — is not of the Father, 
but is of the world. 17 And the world is 
passing away, and the desire thereof; but 
he that does the will of Grod abides for- 
ever. 

18 Little children, it is the last hour; 
and, as ye heard that Anti-Christ is com- 
ing, even now many anti-christs have 
arisen; whence we know that it is the 
last hour. 19 They went out from among 
us, but they were not of us; for if they 
had been of us, they would have con- 
tinued with us; but they went out, that 
they might be made manifest, that they 
are not all of us. 20 And ye have an 
anointing from the Holy One, and ye alP 
know Him. 

21 I did not write to you because ye 
know not the truth; but because ye know 
it, and because no falsehood is of the 
truth. 

22 Who is the liar, but he that denies 
that Jesus is the Christ? This is the Anti 
Christ, he that denies the Father and the 



Son. 23 Every one who denies the Son 
has not the Father either; he who con- 
fesses the Son has the Father also. 24 As 
for you, let that which ye heard from the 
beginning abide in you. If that which ye 
heard from the beginning abide in you, ye 
also shall abide in the Son and in the 
Father. 25 Andthisis the promise which 
He Himself promised us, the eternal life. 
26 These things I wrote to you concern- 
ing those who would deceive you. 27 
And the Anointing which ye received 
from Him abideth in you, and ye have no 
need that anyone teach you; but as His 
Anointing teacheth you concerning all 
things, and is true, and is no lie, and even 
as He taught you, ye abide '^ in Him. 28 
And now, little children, abide in Him; 
that, if He shall be manifested, we may 
have confidence,' and not be put away 
from Him with shame at His coming. 29 
If ye know that He is righteous, ye know 
that every one that does righteousness has 
been begotten of Him. 



Or, ye know all things. 



2 Or, abide ye. 3 Or, boldness. 



17 The world is passing away; and, therf ore. it is not 
worth the Christian's seeking. 

18 Thelast hour; I Tim. 4:1; II Tim. 3:1; Il-Pet. 3 
The time when John wrote this epistle was one of great 
trouble, and it answered very well to the prediction of 
Jesus in Matt. 24:10-12; Mark 13:2; Luke 21:8; but a more 
complete fulfillment will come just before the second com 
ing of Jesus. 

19 Not all of us; they were not real Christians, which 
explains their going out from among them. 

20 An anointing; a filling with the Holy Spirit, and His 
incoming as Teacher (John 14:26) and Guide into all truth, 
(16:13). 

28 This is the Antir Christ; the Anti-Christ, that is yet 
to come, -will deny both the Father and the Son, (II Thess. 
3:3-10; Rev. 13:1-7; 19:19, 20). 

23 ffas not the Father either; those who deny the Son 
hare no real belief in the Father, and no access to Him 
because Jesus is the only way to the Father, (John 14:6). 

24 Ye heard from the beginning; if ye continue to be- 



lieve and practice the truths of the Gospel ye first ac- 
cepted. In the Son and in the Father; in holy union and 
fellowship with Them, (ch. 1:3). 

27 The anointing which ye received; v. 20. Have no need 
that anyone teach you; it is the supreme office of the Holy 
Spirit to teach believers the Gospel of Christ; revealing 
to them Christ Himself, and through Christ bringing them 
to know the Father also, (John 17:3; Eph. 3:16-19). No 
one can take the place of the Holy Spirit as Teacher; nor 
can anyone teach the things that He specifically imparts 
to those who have received Him as their Teacher. Spirit- 
filled teachers may bring much important truth to the 
notice of the Spirit-filled Christian; but the Holy Spirit 
alone can give one a true and satisfactory knowledge of 
the Scriptures. This is His exclusive prerogative. 

28 When He shall appear; when Christ shall appear to 
judge His saints and give each his proper place in His 
Kingdom. 

29 Has been begotten of Him; every one that lives a 
righteous and holy life does so because of the Christ-life 
in him, which life he received in regeneration. 



CHAPTER HI. 

1 Behold what manner of love the 

Father hath given to us, that we should 

be called children of God; and sueh we 



are. For this cause the world knows us 
not, because it knew Him not. 2 Be- 
loved, now are we children of God, and 
never yet was it manifested what we shall 



NOTES ON CHAPTER III. 

1 For this cause; because we are children of God. r?ie 

world knows us not; they do not understand us, they know 

nothing of what it is to love God, and to realize ..alvation 

through His Son. 



like Him; at His coming, the saints will receive- their res- 
urrection bodies, or the equivalent of them, (in the case of 
those who experience the rapture) ; and in this respect they 
will be like Him. In the case of those who, like John, were 
drawing their life, health, and strength, from Christ), and 
were being rapidly transformed into His image, the little 



Never yet was it manifested; the fulness of their future that might be lacking would be supplied, as they might be 
excellence and bliss had never been declared. We shall fte [permitted to gaze into His blessed face I 



I. JOHN 



3G1 



be. We know that, il: He shall be mani- 
fested, we shall be like Him, because we 
shall see Him as He is. 3 And every one 
that has this hope on Him purifies him- 
self, even as He is pure. 

4 Every one who commits sin commits 
lawlessness also; and sin is lawlessness. 
5 And ye know that He was manifested, 
that He might take away sins; and in Him 
is no sin. 6 Every one that is abiding in 
Him sins not; whosoever sins has not seen 
Him nor known Him. 

7 Little children, let no one deceive 
you: he that does righteousness is right- 
eous, even as He is righteous. 8 He that 
commits sin is of the Devil; because the 
Devil sins from tlie beginning. To this 
end was the Son of God manifested, that 
He might destroy^ the works of the Devil. 
9 AVhosoever has been begotten of God 
sins not; because His seed abides in him, 
and he cannot sin because he has been be- 
gotten of God. 10 In this are manifest 
the children of God and the children of 
the Devil: every one that does not right- 
eousness is not of God, neither he that 
does not love his brother; 11 because this 



is the message which ye heard from the 
beginning, that we should love one an- 
other; 12 not as Cain who was of the 
evil one, and slew his brother. And 
wherefore did he slay him? Because his 
own works were evil, and his brother's 
righteous. 

13 Marvel not, brethren, if the world 
hates you. 14 We know that we have 
passed out of death into life, because we 
love the brethren. He that loves not 
abides in death. 15 Every one that hates 
his brother is a murderer;^ and ye know 
that no murderer has eternal life abiding 
in him. 16 In this we have known ^ the 
love, that He laid down His soul* in our 
behalf; and we ought to lay down our souls 
in behalf of the brethren. 17 But whoso- 
ever possesses the goods ^ of the world, 
and beholds his brother having need, and 
shuts up his compassion from him, how 
does the love of God abide in him ? 

18 Little children, let us not love in 
word, neither with the tongue, but in deed 
and in truth. 19 Hereby we shall know 
that we are of the truth, and we shall as- 
sure Our heart before Him; 20 because, 



1 Or, v,ndo. 



2 Gr. Man-killer, 
sustenance. 



Or. understood, i Or, life. 5 Or, 



3 This hope; the hope of being like Christ, and of see- 
ing Him. Purifies himself even as He is pure; he seeks to 
become like Christ in all things ; dropping all sin out of his 
life, and growing into the positive likeness of Christ. 

5 Tlmt He might take away sins . . , in Him is no sin; 
Christ takes away sin, and purifies the heart; hence, the 
true Christian will not tolerate sin in himself. 

6 Every one that is ahiditig in Him sins not; to abide in 
Christ truly is to have Christ dwelling in us, (John 15:4.5) 
and, under the condition of this mutual and unreserved 
abiding, the believer is lifted above sin, or is kept from 
sinning so long as he thus abides. If this abiding is per- 
manent, he is kept permanently from sinning. 

7 He that doeth righteousness is righteous; a righteous 
life is proof of a righteous character; the tree being known 
by its fruit, (Matt. 7:16-20). 

8 Jfef?iat commits sm; as the habit of his life. Is of the 
Devil; is a child of the Devil, and has the nature of the 
Devil in him. That He might destroy the works of the Devil 
might destroy the Devil's works in the hearts and lives of 
those who trust and obey Him. When Christ is manifested 
in the believer, it is that He may eliminate the sin-princi 
pie from, and destroy the evil desires in, the believer', 
heart, will, and life. 

9 Wfiosoever hasheen begotten of Ood sins not; "the new 
man " cannot sin. because he is holy ; " the old man " is the 
element that sins; and he will continue to sin till he is af 
fixed to the cross (Gal. 2:20; II Cor. 4:10,11), and is "de 
stroyed " or annulled, (Rom. 6:6). 

10 The children of God show that they are such by the 
pure and righteous lives they live. 

U This is themessagt; John 15:12. 



12 Of the evil one; the Devil. Cain was under the direc- 
tion of Satan when he slew his brother Abel. 

13 Man-el not, if the world hates you; because ye are not 
of the world, and the world knows you not, (v. 1; John 15: 
17-21). 

14 Have passed out of death into life; out of the state of 
spiritual death into spiritual, or eternal, life. Because we 
love the hrethren; true love for the brethren is inseparably 
connected with the love of God ; and love is the essence of 
the new life, or an essential element in it. This is a love 
for Christians as such, and not because they happen to be- 
long to our particular congregation. 

15 Every one who hates his brother; is a murderer, be- 
cause he cherishes the feelings that lead to the outer act, 
(Matt. 5:21-28). 

16 Have known the love; the divine love — in the fact that 
He laid down His soul— which contained His life— in our 
behalf, (Isa. 53:10). We ought to lay down our souls; we 
ought to be ready, where the occasion requires it. to lay 
down our souls for the brethren. The real Christian is 
so tied up with others of the same class, that he is ready 
to lay down his life for them, in whatever way the Lord 
may require. 

17 How is the love of God abiding in him; if he sees a 
brother's need, and could supply it, but fails to do it, the 
love of God does not dwell in his heart. Here we have op- 
portunities to test ourselves frequently. 

19 In tliis; in showing that our love is genuine, because 
it leads us to contribute to the needs of the brethren. As- 
sure our hearts; relieving the needs of the brethren for 
love's saks will be followed by a, sweet assurance of our 
acceptance with God. 



362 



I. JOHN 



if our heart condemn us, God is greater 
than oiir heart, and knoweth all things. 21 
Beloved, if our heart condemn us not, we 
have confidence" toward God; 22 and 
whatsoever we ask we receive from Him 
because we keep His commandments, and 
do the things that are pleasing before Him 
23 And this is the commandment, that we 



should believe ' in the name of His Son 
Jesus Christ, and love one another, as He 
gave us commandment. 24 And he that 
keeps His commandments abides in Him, 
and He in him; and in this we know that 
He abideth in us, by the Spirit Whom He 
gave to us. 



6 Or, boldness. 



7 Gr. Believe the name. 



20 Ood is greater than our hea/rts; He is greater and 
knows all the facts, and will bring in severer condemna- 
tion, than one will against himself. 

23 Perfect filial obedience puts one in a position to have 
the Spirit awaken in one just the petition, or petitions, the 



Father wishes to grant to His children ; and along with the 
petition comes the faith to receive the answer. 

24 There is no pleasing of God, unless we obey Him. In 
this; viz., in the fact that He has given us the Holy Spirit. 
The Spirit abiding in us, giveth us the witness and the 
knowledge of Christ's indwelling also, (John 14:17-20). 



CHAPTEE IV. 

1 Beloved, believe not every spirit, but 
try the spirits, whether they are of God 
because many false prophets have gone 
forth into the world. 2 In this ye know 
the Spirit of God: every spirit that con- 
fesses that Jesus Christ hath come in 
flesh is of God; 3 and every spirit that 
confesses not Jesus is not of God; and 
this is the spirit of the Anti-Christ, of 
which ye have heard that it is coming, 
and now it is in the world already. 

4 Ye are of God, little children, and 
have overcome them; because greater is 
He Who is in you, than he that is in the 
world. 5 They are of the world; for this 
cause they speak of the world, and the 
world hears them. 6 We are of God; he 
that knows God hears us; he that is not of 
God hears us not: from this we know the 
spirit of truth and the spirit of error. 

7 Beloved, let us love one another; be 



cause love is of God, and every one that 
loves has been begotten of God, and knows 
God. 8 He that loves not never knew 
God; because God is love. 9 In this was 
manifested the love of God in ^ us, that God 
hath sent His only begotten Son into the 
world, that we may live through Him. 10 
Herein is love, not that we loved God, but 
that He loved us, and sent His Son, to be 
a propitiation for our sins. 11 Beloved, if 
God so loved us, we also ought to love one 
another. 12 No one has ever beheld God. 
If we love one another, God abideth in us, 
and His love has been perfected in us. 13 
In this we know that we abide in Him, and 
He in us, because He hath given us of His 
Spirit. 14 And we have beheld, and tes- 
tify, that the Father hath sent the Son, as 
Savior of the world. 15 Whosoever con- 
fesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God 
abideth in Him, and he in God. 16 And 
we have known and believed the love 



1 Or. in, our case. 



NOTES ON CHAPTER IV. 

1 Every spirit; that speaks through any false prophet. 
Try the spirits; try them by the word; try them, also, by 
-the Holy Spirit, Who imparts spiritual discernment 
discerning of spirits. (I Cor. 12:10). 

2 That Jesus Christ hath come in flesh: alluding, as 
generally supposed, to Christ's incarnation; but we know 
that evil spirits readily recognized Christ when He was 
liere on the earth. May it not have reference to His o 
ing into human hearts to live ? Such a denial would strike 
at the very vitals of Christianity, (II Cor. 13:5; Col. 1:27; 
John 6:56). 

4 Have overcome them; the false teachers and false 
prophets. He Who is in you; Christ. Than he that is 
the word; Satan. 

5 The worldly teachers speak worldly things, and a 
worldly people hear and appreciate them. 

6 We are of God; the apostles and all Spirit-filled 
teachers proclaimed the truth of God; and they showed 
this by the miracles they wrought. He that Tcnows God 



hears us; as the truth comes from God. those who are in 
fellowship with God will recognize true teachers and true 
teachings. 

7 Love is of God; God is love ; hence those who love are 
His children. 

8 He that loves not never Tcnew God; has no true knowl- 
edge of Him, and no fellowship with Him. We know God 
as we come to love Him. 

10 A propitiation; Christ satisfied divine justice by His 
vicarious sacrifice in behalf of man; and He is the satis- 
faction, or that which satisfleth divine justice, and placates 
an offended God. 

12 His love is perfected in us; as we exercise love for the 
brethren. 

13 The indwelling and infilling of the Spirit is proof 
that God the Father and the Son are abiding within. 

14 .We have seen: John 1:14. 

15 Confess that Jesus Christ is the Son of God: who- 
ever truly, sincerely, and heartily confesses this, and re- 
ceives Christ as his Savior and L.lfe, has God dwelling in 
him. 



I. JOHN 



which God hath in* us. God is love, and 
he that abides in love abides in God, and 
God in him. 

17 In this has love been made perfect 
with us, that we may have confidence in 
the day of judgment; because as He is, 
even so are we in this world. 18 There is 
no fear in love; but perfect love casts out 



2 Or. in < 



fear, because fear has punishment; and he 
who fears is not made perfect in love. 19 
We love, because He first loved us. 20 
If anyone says, "I love God," and hates 
his brother, he is a liar; for he that loves 
not his brother whom he has seen, cannot 
love God Whom he has not seen. 21 And 
this commandment we have from Him, 
that he who loves God loves his brother 
also. 



17 Jn this; referring probably to the sentence just pre- 
ceding it; so dwelling in love as to have God dwelling 
in him, and he in God. That we may have confidence: when 
■we stand at the judgment. This would result from per- 
fect love. Because: denoting the ground of confidence. 
As He is; as Christ is in respect to love. So are we; we 
manifest the same love; and, having His nature developed 
in us, we stand boldly, knowing that our life is all in Him, 
(Col. 3:1-4). 

18 Thereis no fear in love; there is not the slightest el- 



ement of fear or of any malevolent affection in love. Per- 
fect love casts out fear; and all else that tends to mar the 
peace and happiness of him who is made perfect in love. 
Fear has punishment: looking towards punishment, fear 
has much uneasiness and unrest. 

19 Because He first loved us; the love of God for man, 
lead to the offering of Jesus Christ on the cross, and this 
opened the way for the Holy Spirit to come, and plant the 
love of God. or the nature of Christ, in us. 



CHAPTER V. 

1 Every one who believes that Jesus is 
the Christ has been begotten of God; and 
every one who loves Him Who begat loves 
him also that has been begotten of Him 
2 In this we know that we love the chil 
dren of God, when we love God, and do 
His commandments. 3 For this is the 
love of God, that we keep His command 
ments; and His commandments are not 
burdensome; 4 because all that has been 
begotten of God overcomes the world. 
And this is the victory that overcomes the 
world, our faith. 5 And who is he that 
overcomes the world, but he that believes 
that Jesus is the Son of God ? 

6 This is He Who came through water 
and blood, Jesus Christ; not in the water 



only, but in the water and in the blood. 
7 And the Spirit is He Who beareth wit- 
ness, because the Spirit is the Truth: 8 
because there are Three Who bear wit- 
ness; the Spirit, and the water, and the 
blood; and the Three agree in one. 9 
If we receive the testimony of men, the 
testimony of God is greater; because this 
is the testimony of God, that He hath tes- 
tified concerning His Son. 

10 He that believes on the Son of God 
has the witness in himself; he that be- 
lieves not God has made Him a liar; be- 
cause he has not believed in the testimony 
that God testified concerning His Son. 11 
And this is the testimony, that God gave 
to us eternal life, and this life is in His 
Son. 12 He that has the Son has life; he 
that has not the Son of God has not life. 



NOTES ON CHAPTER V. 

1 Believes that Jesus is the Christ; believes it with his 
lieart, so as really to accept Christ as his sin-oflering and 
liis life. Him Who begat . . . him who has been begotten: 
every one who truly loves God loves the children of God 
also. 

2 In this we know; obedience is the proof that one loves 
God ; and one who loves God loves His children also, (ch. 
3:17; 4:20,21). 

3 His commandments are not burdensome; Matt. 11:30. 

4 All that has been begotten of God overcomes the world: 
the new life begotten in the believer, if given any chance, 
will overcome all worldly pleasures, and put all opposition 
underfoot. But, to do this, Christ must be enthroned in 
the heart. Our faith; a faith that unites and identifies 
one with Jesus Christ, is that which overcomes the world, 
the flesh, and the Devil. 

6 Through water; referring to His baptism, where He, 
by the testimony of the Father, and the gift of the Holy 
Spirit, was proclaimed the Messiah. Through blood: His 
Ijlood shed on the cross for the putting away of sin. This 



typical cleansing through the water, and the removal of 
sin through the blood, are fundamental truths of the Gos- 
pel. The Spirit . . . beareth witness; not only to the Mes- 
siahship of Jesus, but to the nature of His work as Mes- 
siah, (v. 10; John 16:14; Rom. 8:16, 17). 

8 The Spirit, the water, and the blood . . . the three 
agree in one; viz., for the establishing of the character and 
office of Jesus Christ as the Savior and the life of those 
who believe on Him. 

9 The witness of God is greater; more convincing than 
that of men. 

10 Has the witness in himself: has the proof of the truth- 
fulness of God's testimony to Jesus Christ, in the effects 
of the Holy Spirit's workings in his own heart and life. 
The witness that God witnessed concerning His Son; in the 
ways mentioned above. 

11, 12 God gave us eternal life: when we accepted Christ 
as our Savior; putting His Son's very life in us, and mak- 
ing us children of God. This life is in His Son; the resur- 
rection life of Jesus is the life which is given to the peni- 
tent believer, when he is born from above. This lite is all 
stored up in Christ; and to get the life, we must get Him. 



364 



I. JOHN 



13 These thing's I wrote to you who be- 
lieve on the name of the Son of God, that 
ye may know that ye hav^e eternal life. 

14 And this is the confidence which we 
have toward Him, that, if we ask anything 
according to His will, He heareth us; 15 
and, if we know that He heareth us 
whatsoever we ask, we know that we have 
the petitions which we asked of Hira. 

16 If anyone sees his brother sinning a 
sin not to death, he shall ask, and God 
will give him life for those that sin not to 
death. There is a sin to death: I do not 
say that he shall make request concerning 



this. 17 All unrighteousness is sin; and 
there is a sin not to death. 18 We know 
that every one who has been begotten of 
God sins not; but he who was begotten of 
God keeps himself, and the evil one 
touches him not. 

19 We know that we are of God, and 
the whole world is lying in the evil one. 
20 And we know that the Son of God hath 
come, and hath given us understanding, 
that we may know the True One: and we 
are in the True One — in His Son Jesus 
Christ. This is the True God, and eter- 
nal life. 21 Little children, guard your- 
selves from idols. 



13 Know that ye have eternal life: this knowledge may 
be Inferential (ch. 3:14), or through the testimony of the 
Spirit (Rom. 8:16), or it may arise from one's own spirit- 
ual intuitions. 

15 We know that we have the petitions; this knowledge is 
an inference from faith, when she has complied with the 
conditions upon which God promises to bestow some- 
thing. 

16 See his brother sinning a sin not to death; this probably 
refers to the hodu; since, in John's view (ch. 3:9; John 
10:28, 29) a brother, or one begotten of God, would not 
commit the unpardonable sin against his soul. It is 
likely that many persons commit an unpardonable sin 
against their body, and die prematurely in consequence 
thereof. Moses seems to have committed such a sin, in 
striking the rock instead of speaking to it, (Num. 20:7-11; 
I Cor. 11:30). 



18 Sins not; that is, the part that is born of God sins 
not. It is "the old man," or "the flesh," that sins; 
and. until this is crucified (Rom. 8:10; II Cor. 4:10, 11; Gal. 
3:20; 5:24), it will of ten overshadow "the new man" with 
sin. The evil one; the Devil. Touches Mm not; because 
Christ has become enthroned in him, and Satan's rights 
have been abrogated. 

19 In the evil one; all except those who have been born 
of God are under the rule of Satan, and belong to his king- 
dom. . 

20 The True One: God the Father. We are in the True 
One: we are In the Father by virtue of the fact that we 
are in His Son, (John 17:31, 23). The Son fits the Spirit- 
filled believer for fellowship vnth the Father, and then the 
Father and Son come In and abide with him. (John 14: 
20, 21. 23). 



THE 



SECOISTD EPISTLE OP JOHIN. 



Whether this letter -was addressed to a lady and her children, or to an assembly, has never been determined. 
This however, does not affect the teachings of the letter itself. The apostle enjoins a discriminatini? love, that dis- 
tinguishes sharply between truth and error, and does not permit Itself to aid and abet error by misapplied kindnesses 
towards its teachers. Loyalty to God. love of truth, and consistent opposition to error, are the main points in the 
letter. There is no means of knowing when the letter was written. 



II. JOHIST. 

1 The elder to an elect lady and her 
children whom I love in truth — and not I 
only, but also all who know the truth — 2 
for the truth'.s sake which abides in us, and 
will be with us forever: 3 Grace, mercy, 
peace, shall be with us from God the 
Father, and from Jesus Christ, the Son of 
the Father, in truth and love. 

4 I rejoiced exceedingly, because I have 
found some of your children walking in 
truth, even as we received commandment 
from the Father. 6 And now I beseech 
you, lady, not as writing a new command- 
ment to you, but that which we had from 
the beginning, that we love one another. 
6 And this is love, that we walk according 
to His commandment. This is the com- 
mandment, even as ye heard from the be- 
ginning, that ye should walk in it. 7 Be- 
cause many deceivers went out into the 
Avorld, who confess not Jesus Christ as 

NOTES. 

1 The elder; John, the writer of this letter, (I Peter 5:1). 
An elect lady; one chosen hy God, and prominent as a 
Christian. 

2 For the truth's sake; some of the children of this lady 
were loved because of their devotion to the Gospel of 
Christ, and their fidelity to its requirements. 

5 Not as writing a new commandment : IJohn 2 : 7. 

6 Tins is love . . . that we walk; obedience to God's 
commandments is the proper expression of love, and the 
essential proof of its existence, (I John 5:3, 3). 

7 Tf7io confess not Jesus Christ as coming in flesh; they 
deny that He comes to dwell in people, and thereby to 
transform them into His own image. See note on I John 
4:2. 

8 That ye lose nut; through the influence of false teach- 
ers they were liable to be led away from the truth, and 
thus lose, if not their souls, theircrowns. (Rev. 3:11). This 
admonition of the apostle is especially applicable to our 



coming in flesh. This is the deceiver and 
the Anti-Christ. 8 Take heed to your- 
selves, that ye lose not the things which 
we wrought, but that ye receive a full re- 
ward. 

9 Every one who leads ^ forward, and 
abides not in the teaching of Christ, has 
not God. He that abides in the teaching, 
the same has both the Father and the Son. 

10 If anyone comes to you, and brings 
not this teaching, receive him not into yoti?' 
house, and say not to him, "Greeting,"^ 
11 for he that says to him, "Greeting," 
partakes in his evil works. 

12 Having many things to write to you, 
I was not willing to write them with paper 
and ink; but I hope to come to you, and 
speak mouth to mouth, that your joy may 
be made full. 

13 The children of your elect sister 
salute you. 



1 Or, takes the lead. 2 Or, Joy to you. 

times, when so many are being led astray with the delu- 
sions of "soul-sleeping," "annihilation." " universal sal- 
vation." "a second probation." or through "Christian 
Science." "Spiritism." "Theosophy," etc. 

9 Leads forward; beyond the limits of the word. The 
teaching of Christ; that taught by Him and His apos- 
tles—especially, His incarnation, vicarious sufferings. His 
atoning death, and His resurrection. One who denies 
these fundamental teachings has not God. God is not with 
him, nor is he God's servant. 

10 This teaching; of Christ. Receive him not into your 
house; don't receive him into your home, to disseminate 
his poison among your children ; nor, in its wider applica- 
tion, should he be admitted into an assembly of God's 
children, to poison their minds and hearts. Say not to 
him, "Greeting" : do not pronounce any blessing upon 
him, or treat him in any such way as to help forward his 
destructive work of deceiving the people. Partakes in his 
evil works; if we do anything, by word or deed, to aid a 
false teacher, we share in his evil works. 



THE 



THIRD EPISTLE OE JOHN. 



The apostle writes to Gaius, commending to him certain brethren who were strangers in the place where he 
Jived. It appears that these brethren were trying to preach the Gospel to the gentiles without charge, (which was 
the universal practice with God's ministers during the early age of Christianity) ; but they seem to have received ill- 
treatment at the hands of Diotrephes, who also opposed those in the assembly who favored the reception of these 
evangelists, though they had been commended by the apostle himself. 



III. JOHN. 

1 The elder to Gaius the beloved, whom 
I love in truth 

2 Beloved, I pray that, in all things, 
you may be prosperous, and be in health, 
even as your soul prospers. 3 For I re- 
joiced exceedingly, when brethren came 
and testified to your truth, even as you 
walk in truth. 4 I have no greater joy 
than this, to hear of my children walking 
in the truth. 

6 Beloved, you do a faithful worh^ in 
whatsoever you do to the brethren, and 
that to strangers, 6 who testified to your 
love before the assembly; whom sending 
forward worthily of God, you will do well; 
7 for on behalf of His name they went 
forth, taking nothing from the gentiles. 8 
We ought, therefore, to welcome such per- 
sons^ that we may become fellow-workers 
for ^ the truth. 9 1 wrote to the assembly; 



1 Or, to; or . with. 



but Diotrephes, who loves to have pre- 
eminence among them, receives us not. 10 
On this account, if I come, I will remem- 
ber his works which he is doing, prating 
against us with evil words; and not content 
with these things, he neither himself re- 
ceives the brethren, and those wishing to 
do so he forbids, and casts them out of the 
assembly. 

11 Beloved, do not imitate the evil, but 
the good. He that does good is of God; 
the evil-doer has not seen God. 

12 To Demetrius testimony has been 
borne by all, and by the truth itself; and 
we also bear testimony, and you know 
that our testimony is true. 

13 Many things I had to write to you; 
but I wish not to write to you with ink 
and pen ; 14 but I hope shortly to see you, 
and we will speak mouth to mouth. Peace 
he to you. The friends salute you. Salute 
the friends by name. 



NOTES. 

1 Gaius; a pious and benevolent Christian whom the 
apostle highly prized. Possibly he is the same as the 
Gaius at Corinth, (I Cor. 1:14; Rom. 16:23). 

2 And be in health, even as your soul prospers; it is pos- 
sible for one's bodily health to keep pace with that of his 
sodl and spirit. As Christ's life is more and more mani- 
fested in our mortal bodies (II Cor. 4:10, 11), and as our 
mortal bodies receive auickening from His Spirit (Rom. 
8:11). we should be well, strong and vigorous, regardless of 
age, (see Moses. Joshua, and Caleb). 

5 And that to strangers; Gaius was fond of looking after 
strange brethren, when they came to him, or to the assem- 
bly of which he was a member. And this the apostle es- 
pecially commends. 

6 Worthily of Ood; God is pleased when His ministers 



are properly cared for, and sent forward on their journey. 

7 On behalf of His name; from love to Christ. Went 
forth; to preach the Gospel. Taking nothing; receiving 
nothing for their support. 

8 Fellow-workers; with those whom they assisted, and 
both contributing to help forward the truth. 

9 I wrote to Vie assembly; requesting the brethren to 
assist the strange brethren. Diotrephes; who opposed the 
apostle, and influenced the assembly, to disregard John's 
request. 

10 The brethren; whom John commended to their hos- 
pitality and aid. 

n The evil; as exemplified in the conduct of Diotrephes. 

12 To Demetrius testimony has been borne by all; all tes- 
tified to the goodness and hospitality of Demetrius who 
stands in bold contrast with Diotrephes. 



THE 



EPISTLE OF JUDE. 



Jude styles himself "the brother of James," by -whom we understand that James who held so high a position In 
the assembly at Jerusalem, and was the author of the letter bearing his name. See introductory remarks to that 
epistle. In the third verse Jude states the design of this epistle ; viz., to stimulate them to " contend earnestly for the 
faith once for all delivered to the saints. " 

CONTENTS. 



Salutation, (vs. 1. 2) ; warning against false teachers, (vs. 3, 4) ; their doom foreshadowed in the destruction < f 
the Israelites (v. 5), in the fate of the fallen angels (v. 6). also of Sodom and Gomorrah, (vs. 7-10) ; their prototypes in 
Cain. Balaam, and Korah. (v. U) ; doomed to destruction, as Enoch prophesied, (vs. 13-16) ; false teachers foretold by 
all the apostles, (vs. 17-19); his readers admonished to stand firm in the faith (vs. 20, 21), treating the schismatics 
with discriminating wisdom and tendernes.s, (vs. 22. 23) ; doxology, (24, 25). 



JTJDE. 

1 Jude, a slave of Jesus Christ, and 
brother of James, to the called, beloved 
in God the Father, and kept for^ Jesus 
Christ: 2 mercy, and peace, and love, be 
multiplied to you. 

3 Beloved, while giving all diligence to 
write to you of the common salvation, I 
was constrained^ to write to you, exhorting 
you to contend earnestly for the faith 
once for all delivered to the saints. 4 
For there crept in stealthily certain men, 
who of old were set forth for this Condem- 
nation, ungodly men, changing the grace 
of our God into lasciviousness; and deny- 
ing the only Master and our Lord Jesus 
Christ. 

5 Now I wish to put you in remem- 
brance, though ye know all things once 
for all, that the Lord,* having saved the 
people out of the land of Egypt, after- 
ward destroyed those who believed not. 



6 And angels who kept not their own 
principality, but left their proper habita- 
tion. He hath kept in everlasting bonds, 
under darkness, for the judgment of the 
great day. 7 Even as Sodom and Gomor- 
rah, and the cities about thep, having in 
like manner with these given themselves 
over to fornication, and going away after 
other flesh, are set forth as an example, 
suffering the punishment of eternal fire. 
8 Yet, in like manner, these also, indulg- 
ing in dreams, defile, indeed, the flesh, 
and set at nought dominion, and rail at 
dignities.* 9 But Michael, the arch-angel, 
when contending with the Devil he was 
disputing about the body of Moses, did 
not dare to bring against him a railing 
judgment, but said, "The Lord rebuke 
you." 10 But these rail at such things as 
they know not; and what they understand 
naturally, as the irrational animals, in 
these things they are corrupted.^ 11 Woe 
to them, because they went in the way of 



1 Or, hy. 2 Gr. Had necessity. 3 Some Mss, read, Jesus. 



4 Gr. Glories. 5 Or, destroyed. 



NOTES. 

3 / was constrained to write to you; because of your 
great peril from false teachers. 

4 Who, of old, were set forth; by the ancient prophets, 
and also by Jesus Christ and His apostles. Changing the 
grace of God into lasciviousness; so perverting the doc- 
trines of grace as to make it an excuse for living lives of 
licentiousness. Denying the only Master; by their vile 
practices, showing that they cared nothing for Him or His 
teachings. 

5 Destroyed those who believed not; by letting them die 
of divers ailments and judgments in the wilderness, in- 
stead of going into Canaan, as they might have done, 
(Num. 13, 14, 15). Many Christians now spend their lives 
in the wilderness of doubt and sin; when, if they were 
obedient, they might spend their days in that blissful state 
of which Canaan was a type. 

6 Kept not their own principality; but forfeited it by 
disobedience. Here we see the origin of Satan and all his 
evil associates. They were blissful angels, but they left 
their own habitation, and provoked the wrath of the Al- 
mighty, (II Peter 2:4). 



7 As an example^' of the dire destruction that awaits the 
ungodly. As these cities were destroyed by fire- so the 
wicked will be cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, 
(Rev. 19:20; 20:10. 15). 

8 Set at nought dominion; disregard the law, human 
and divine. Dignities; public officers who ought to be re- 
spected, (II Pet. 2:10). 

9 Michael, the arch-angel; Michael; "one who is like 
God." Arch-angel signifies a chief . or ruler, of angels. 
Disputed about the body of Moses; the point in this dis- 
pute we may nor certainly know; but it seems possible 
that Satan claimed the right to end Moses' life by disease, 
and to take charge of his body; which, on this supposi- 
tion, Michael opposed and resisted. Moses was seen on 
the mount with Elijah at the Savior's transfiguration, 
(Matt. 17:1-5) ; and this would seem to imply his resurrec- 
tion. Did not dare; not because he feared the Devil, but 
because he feared God, and wished to avoid sin by using 
improper language even to the Devil. 

10 But these; the false, corrupt teachers. Understand 
naturally, as the irrational animals; by instinct, as in the 
indulgence of animal passions and appetites. 



368 



JUDE 



Cain, ^nd rushed on in the error of Balaam 
for hire, and perished in the gainsaying of 
Korah! 12 These are the hidden rocks in 
your love-feasts, feasting sumptuously to- 
gether, feeding themselves without fear; 
clouds without water, borne along by 
winds; autumnal trees, without fruit, 
twice dead, plucked up by the roots; 13 
wild waves of the sea, foaming out their 
own ignominies; wandering stars, for 
whom the blackness of the darkness has 
been reserved forever. M And to these 
also Enoch, the seventh from Adam, 
prophesied, saying, "Behold, the Lord 
came with His holy myriads, 15 to exe- 
cute judgment upon all, and to convict all 
the ungodly of all their works of ungodli- 
ness, which in ungodliness they committed, 
and of all the hard things which, as un- 
godly sinners, they spake against Him." 
16 These are murraurers, complainers, 
walking according to their own desires; 
and their mouth speaks great swelling 
words; admiring men's persons, for the 
sake of profit. 

17 But do ye, beloved, remember the 



words which have been spoken before by 
the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ; that 
they were wont to say to you: "In the last 
time there will be mockers, walking accord- 
ing to their own ungodly desires." 19 These 
are those who make separations; sensual," 
having not the Spirit. 20 But do ye, be- 
loved, building up yourselves on your 
most holy faith, praying in the Holy 
Spirit, 21 keep yourselves in the love of 
God, looking for the mercy of our Lord 
Jesus Christ unto eternal life. 22 On 
some have compassion, while contending 
with you; 23 and others save with fear, 
pulling them out of the fire, hating even 
the garment spotted by the flesh. 

24 Now to Him Who is able to guard 
you from stumbling, and to set you with- 
out blemish, in gladness, before the pres- 
ence of His glory, 25 to the only God our 
Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, le 
glory, majesty, dominion, and authority, 
before all time, and now, and forever and 
ever. Amen. 



6 Or, J 



ulish. 



11 TTie way of Cain; who relied on his own wisdom and 
goodness, rather than on the wisdom and grace of God; 
hating and destroying his brother, who was far better 
than himself. (Gen. 4:4-8). Error of Balaam: who loved 
and coveted money. (Num. 2Z.'i-i\ ; 11 Peter 2:15). Korah; 
Num. 16:33. 

12. 13 Hidden rocks; hence perilous to voyagers. In 
your love-feasts; where purity ought to have character- 
ized everybody. Clouds . . . trees . . . waves . . . wander- 
ing stars; these false teachers vfcre, in some respects, like 
these thinsfst disappointing all just expectations, corrupt- 
ing and destroying all who would come under their influ- 
ence, while dire destruction, was awaiting them. 

16 Admiring men's persons; flattering the rich and cor- 
rupt to further their own selfish ends. 

19 Separations; by withdrawing themselves and others 
from the pure Gospel, and from those who practice the 
truth. Sensual; soulish. ruled by passion. 

20 Buildina up yourselves; by continuous and prompt 
obedience to all the commands of Christ, and by a grow 
ing knowledge of Christ in His provisions for all our 



wants of spirit, soul, and body. Praying in the Holy 
Spirit; under His influence and inspiration. 

21 Keep yourselves in the love of God; by a holy, humble, 
obedient walk before the Lord. Looking for the mercy: 
desiring and hoping for salvation through the boundless 
grace of God. 

22 This verse has various readings: as, "Some con- 
vince, while they discuss with you ; " Have compassion on 
some, making a difference," etc. 

23 Others scuve, tvith fear, pulling them out of the fire; 
use alarming methods to 'arouse them from their slumbejB; 
as you would were they asleep in a burning house. Hating 
even the garment; abhorring everything that looks towards 
lewdness, or that reminds of that brutal sin. 

24 Able to guard you from stumbling: God is able to keep 
His obedient, trusting children from stumbling over any 
of the obstructions that Satan and his allies may place in 
their way; but, to insure this result, they must stick to His 
word, and let the Holy Spirit teach them; nor should they 
ever dally vrith error, Or have any fellowship with error- 
ists. 



THE 



REVEI^ATIOlsr OF JESUS CHRIST 
THE AJPOSTLE JdEST. 



TO 



The author of this book is named John, (oh. 1 :1, 4, 9) ; 'who, beyond doubt, is the apostle John, the author of the 
Gospel and the three epistles bearing his name. The date at which it was written is not known, but it was probably 
between the years 85 and 95, A. D., as that covers the major part of the reign of Domitian, under whom, it Is generally 
agreed, John was banished to the isle of Patmos. The interpretation of the book has been acknowledged to be a very 
difficult task; and many have been the schemes of interpretation sought to be applied. That combination whioUmaies 
it historical to the close of chapter III, and future from ch. VI and on. seems most satisfactory. 

CONTENTS. 

Ch. I. Introduction, and key to book, (v. 19). Chs. II. III. History and admonition to the seven churcheSieiv- 
ing the main characteristics of visible Christianity, during the present dispensation, or up to the rapture. Chs. Iv, V. 
Heavenly visions, including the book with seven seals. Chs. VI— XI. Symbolic and prophetic outline of things to 
occur during the great tribulation, or between Christ's coming for His bride (I Thess. 4:15-18; Matt. 25:1-13), and His 
coming with His saints, (Zech. 14:5; Judel4; IIThess.l:7; r)eut.33:2: Dan. 7:10). Ch. XII. The rapture, and casting 
of Satan down to the earth. (Chromologically, this chapter comes in just after chapter 3.) Chs. XIII— XIX. Theexe- 
cution of what is prophesied i n chs. 6-11. XX. Satan shut up in abyss ; the Millennium ; the ' " little season. " of revolt 
and judgment; the white throne judgment. XXI. The New Heavens and New Earth; the New Jerusalem. XXII. 
The river and tree of life; fixed condition of the righteous and wicked; prayer for coming of Jesus; benediction. 



REVEEATIOIN^. 

CHAPTER I. 

1 The revelation of Jesus Christ, which 
God gave Him, to show to His servants 
the things which must shortl,y come to pass; 
and, having sent, He signified z^At'/zi through 
His angel to His servant John; 2 who 
testified of the word of God and the testi- 
mony of Jesus Christ, whatsoever things 
\ he saw. 3 Happy is he that reads, and 
( those who hear the words of the prophecy, 
'and keep the things written therein; for 
the time is near. 

4 John to the seven assemblies that are 
in Asia: Grace to you, and peace, from 
Him Who is, and Who was, and Who is 
coming; and from the seven Spirits Who 
are before His throne; 5 and from Jesus 
Christ, the faithful Witness, the First- 
born of the dead, and the Ruler of the 



kings of the earth. To Him Who loveth,^ 
and washed ^ us from our sins in His own 
blood, 6 and made us a kingdom, and 
priests to God and His Father; to Him be 
the glory and the dominion forever and 
ever. Amen. 7 Behold, He cometh with 
the clouds; and every eye shall see Him, 
and those who pierced Him; and all the 
tribes of the earth shall lament over Him! 
Even so. Amen. 

5 "I am the Alpha and the Omega," 
saith the Lord God, Who is, and Who was, 
and Who is coming, the Almighty. 

9 I, John, your brother, and fellow- 
sharer in the tribulation, and kingdom, 
and patience in Jesus, was in the island 
called Patmos, because of the word of God 
and the testimony of Jesus. 10 I was in 
the Spirit on the Lord's day; and I heard 



I Some Mss. give loved. 2 Some Mss. give 



NOTES ON CHAPTER I. 

1 The revelation of Jesus Christ; that made by Christ. 
Which God gave to ffim; Jesus Christ executes the com- 
mission the Father gave to Him, and this is His part in 
the whole scheme of redemption. (John 5:20; 7:16; 10:: 
12:49. etc.). 

2 The word of God; the word made known to John in 
this vision. Testimony of Jesus Christ; the testimony 
borne to the truth of Jesus Christ. 

3 There is a blessing pronounced upon him who reads, 
and upon those who hear and keep the teachings of this 
book. 

4 To the seven assemblies in Asia; in what is known as 
"Proconsular Asia,'' comprising " the provinces of Mysia. 
Lydia, Caria, and Phrygia." Seven is called a number of 
■ ■ perf ectness. ' ' There were probably many other local as- 
semblies within the limits of these seven ; but these seven 
in a sense, represented all the rest; and it seems that 
these seven were used to represent the varying phases of 



Christianity from the time John received this revelatiou 
up to the time of the rapture. 

5 The First-born of the dead; Christ, the First, "Who 
rose from the dead to die no more; who is the resurrec- 
tion, and in Whose life Christians will be raised. 

6 3fade -us a Tclngdom; or made us to be kings in His 
kingdom. Priests; to offer to God spiritual sacrifices 
through Christ, (I Peter 2:5). 

7 He cometh; to put all His enemies out of the way 
(Zech. 14:4-12; ch. 19:19-21), and to establish His Millen- 
nial reign, (ch. 20:4-6). And those who pierced Him; Zech. 
12:10-14— a prophecy yet future. 

8 The Alpha and the Omega; these are the first and last 
letters of the Greek alphabet; and, in applying them thus 
to Himself, Christ shows that He is the cause and the end 
of all things, or essential Deity, (Isa. 9:6). 

9 Patmos; a barren island in the ^gean sea. John was 
banished to this island because of his devotion to Christ 
and to His cause. 

10 In the Spirit; under the power of the Spirit, and in a 



370 



REVELATION 



behind me a great voice as of a trumpet, 
11 saying, " What you see, write in a book, 
and send it to the seven assemblies; to 
Ephesus, and to Smyrna, and to Perga- 
mus, and to Thyatira, and to Sardis, and 
to Philadelphia, and to Laodicea." 12 
And I turned to see the voice that was 
speaking with me; and, having turned, I 
saw seven golden candlesticks;' 13 and, 
in the midst of the candlesticks. One like 
the Son of Man, clothed with a garment 
down to the foot, and girded at the breasts 
with a golden girdle. 14 And His head 
and hair were white as white wool, as snow; 
and His eyes were as a flame of fire; 15 
and His feet like burnished brass, as if 
glowing in a furnace; and His voice as the 



3 Or, lampstands. 



voice of many waters; 16 and having in 
His right hand seven stars ; and a sharp, 
two-edged sword proceeding out of His 
mouth; and His countenance was as the 
sun shining in his power. 17 And, when 
I saw Him, I fell at His feet as dead! And 
He laid His right hand on me, saying, 
"Fear not; I am the First and the Last, 
18 and the Living One; and I was dead; 
and, behold, I am alive forevermore; and 
I have the keys of death and of Hades. 19 
Write, therefore, the things which you 
saw, and the things which are, and the 
things which are about to take place after 
these; 20 the mystery of the seven stars 
which you saw in My right hand, and the 
seven golden candlesticks. The seven stars 
are the angels of seven assemblies; and the 
seven candlesticks are seven assemblies. 



condition to receive a revelation. On the Lord's day; or 
first flay of the week, the day on which Christ rose from 
the dead, and the day on which the Holy Spirit descended 
at Pentecost. A great voice; the voice of Jesus, (v. 13). 

11 .Eij^esMs; the capital of Proconsular Asia. Smyrna; 
a seaport city on the Mediterranean, about forty miles 
north of Ephesus. Pergamus; a city on the Caicus river, 
about twenty miles from the sea, and sixty miles north of 
Smyrna. Thyatira; a city in the province of T^ydla, 
north-east of Smyrna. Sardis; a city east of Smyrna, and 
about thirty miles south-east of Thyatira. Philadelphia; 
a city about seventy miles east of Smyrna. Laodicea; a 
city in the west of Phrygia, and about 100 miles east of 
Ephesus. 

12 Seven golden candlesticks; representing the seven as- 
semblies in the seven localities above named, (v. 20). 

13 One like the Son of Man; Dan. 7:13. 

15 As if glowing in a furnace; that is. shining with in- 
tense brightness. 

16 Seven stars; representing the angels of the seven as- 



semblies, (v. 20), A sharp, two-edged sword; Kev. 19:15; 
Isa. 11:4. 

17 As dead; overcome by the majesty and glory of 
Christ. The First and the Last; an open claim, on His 
part, to the attributes of Deity. 

18 The keys of death and Hades; implying complete 
power over the dead, and over the place of the dead. 

19 The things which you saw; in the previous part of the 
chapter. The things that are; the things relating to the 
seven assemblies, (chs. 2, 3). The things about to take 
place after these; the things that are to take place after 
the closing up of the history of the seven assemblies, 
brought out prophetically in chs. 6 to 11, and executed, or 
fulfilled. In chs. 13-19. 

20 The seven stars are the angels; probably representing 
their pastors, or special messengers, or possibly guardian 
angels of the assemblies. 

N. 5.— The reader should fix the scheme of interpreta- 
tion of the book well in his mind, so as not to be confused, 
as we advance in the book. 



CHAPTER H. 

1 "To the angel of the assembly in 
Ephesus write these things," saith He 
Who holdeth the seven stars in His right 
hand. He Who walketh in the midst of the 
seven golden candlesticks: 2 "I know your 
works and your toil, and your patience, 
and that you cannot bear evil men; and 
you tried those who call themselves apos- 



tles, and are not, and found them false; 
3 and you have patience,^ and did bear 
for My name's sake, and have not grown 
weary. 4 But I have it against you, that 
you left your first love. 6 Remember, 
therefore, whence you have fallen, and re- 
pent, and do your first works; or else I 
am coming to you, and will remove your 



1 Or, endurance; or, steadfastness. 



NOTES ON CHAPTER II. 
If it is true that these seven assemblies were meant to 
give a brief outline of Christianity from the time the apos 
tie wrote to the close of the dispensation, or to the rapture, 
it would seem likely that there might be— if we knew the' 
facts in the case— a seventh of the time of the whole period 
from the date of the book to the rapture, apportioned to 
the different assemblies in the order of their names. This, 
however, will not be attempted In these brief notes. There 
is great solemnity connected with each of these messages ; 
and we may suppose that all the rewards, offered to the 



different classes of overoomers, may, in effect, belong to 
each one that overcomes. 

1 Holdeth the seven stars in His riglit hand; this shows 
the supreme authority of Jesus Christ over all pastors, 
teachers, and servants, of the assemblies of God's people. 
They get their work and authority from Him. 

2 Evil men ; corrupt in faith and practice, (II Cor. 11 : 13, 
14; Acts 30:29,30). 

4 Left your firstlove; the love which you received when 
you first believed on Christ. No amount of work can com- 
pensate for the loss of love. 

5 Do your first works; be as earnest and zealous for My 



KEVELATION 



371 



candlestick out of its place, if you do not 
repent. 6 But this you have, that you 
hate the works of the Nicolaitans, which I 
also hate. 7 He that has an ear, let him 
hear what the Spirit saith to the assem- 

t- blies. To him that overcomes, to him 
will I give to eat of the tree of life, which 
is in the Paradise^ of God. 

8 ' ' And to the angel of the assembly in 
Smyrna write these things," saith the 
First and the Last, Who became dead, 
and lived: 9 "I know your tribulation, 
and your poverty (but ye are rich), and 
the blasphemy of those who say they are 
Jews, and are not, but are a synagogue of 
Satan. 10 Fear not the things which you 
are about to suffer. Behold, the Devil is 
about to cast some of you into prison, that 
ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribu- 
lation ten days. Be faithful unto death, 
and I will give you the crown of life. 11 
He that has an ear, let him hear what the 
Spirit saith to the assemblies. He that 

( overcomes shall in nowise be hurt by the 

' second death. 

12 "And to the angel of the assembly 
in Pergamus write these things," saith He 
Who hath the sharp, two-edged sword: 
13 "I know where you dwell, where 
Satan's throne is; and you hold fast My 
name, and did not deny My faith, even in 
the days of Antipas, My witness, My 



Or, garden. 



faithful one, who was killed among you, 
where Satan dwells. 14 But I have a few 
things against you, because you have there 
those holding the teaching of Balaam, who 
taught Balak to cast a stumbling-block be- 
fore the sons of Israel, to eat idol-sacri- 
fices, and to commit fornication. 15 So 
you have also those holding the teaching 
of the Nicolaitans, in like manner. 16 
Repent, therefore, or else I am coming to 
you quickly, and will make war with them 
with the sword of My mouth. 17 He that 
has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit 
saith to the assemblies. To him that ove?- -i 
comes, to him will I give of the Hidden J 
Manna; and I will give him a white stone, i 
and upon the stone a new name written, 
which no one knows, but he that receives it. 
18 "And to the angel of the assembly 
in Thyatira write these things," saith the 
Son of God, Who hath His eyes as a flame 
of fire, and His feet like burnished brass: 
19 "I know your works, and your love, 
and faith, and ministry, and your patience; 
and your last works to he more than the 
first, 20 But I have it against you, that 
you suffer the woman Jezebel, who calls 
herself a prophetess; and she teaches and 
seduces My servants to commit fornica- 
tion, and to eat idol-sacrifices. 21 And I 
gave her time, that she might repent; and 
she is not willing to repent of her fornica- 
tion. 22 Behold, I cast her into a bed, 
and those committing adultery with her. 



service, as you were when you first believed, Hemove your 
candlestick; -witMraw My light from you, and leave you in 
darkness — a warning which has long since been fulfilled in 
the case of all the seven assemblies, and many others also. 

6 Nicolaitans; a corrupt sect which, from the etymology 
of the word, sought to dominate the laity, or common 
members ; taking their liberties from them, and enslaving 
them to their corrupt doctrines and practices. 

7 Overcomes; overcomes all his enemies; the flesh, the 
world, and the Devil. The tree of life; ch. 22:2. It means 
that the overcomer will enjoy the bliss of Heaven without 
stint. Adam and Eve were denied access to the tree of life, 
because of their sin; but Christ restores a new tree of life, 
of much higher type than the first. 

9 But you are rich; rich in heavenly treasure and faith, 
though poor and distressed in this world. Here, as in all 
these letters, the angel of the assemblies represents the 
assembly itself; and what is said to him, is meant for the 
assembly also. Saw they are Jews; a corrupt sect of Juda- 
izers, who were zealous of the law, but ignorant of the 
spirit of Christ. 

10 The Devil is about to cast some of you into prison; by 
his influence over men, leading them to do the work. Ten 
days; possibly, meaning ten years, or a brief period. 

11 The second death; the punishment of the wicked after 
the Millennium, (ch. 20:14; 21:8). Smyrna; this assembly 
has no censure. 



12,13 S?iarp, two-edged sword,- ch. 19:15. Wli ere Satan's 
throne 1«; a place of great wickedness, and where Satan's 
power was mightily displayed. 

14 Hold the doctrine of Balaam; his principles and cor- 
rupt policy. Though he was not permitted to curse Israel, 
he may, by suggestion, have brought them into the fear- 
ful state pictured in Num. 25:1-9; II Peter 2:15, 16; Jude 
11. 12. 

17 TTie Hidden Jfonna,- the true spiritual Manna— Christ, I 
(John 6:53, 56); of which the literal manna was a type, 
(Ex. 16:32-34). A white stone; people sometimes made in- 
scriptions on stones; in allusion to this, the overcomer 
will receive a w7u"te stone (white being an emblem of vic- 
tory), with a name written on it, that no one but he and 
the One Who inscribed it will understand. Each one will 
have an experience peculiar, in some respects, to himself; 
and .this may be represented by the inscription on the 
stone. 

19 Last more them the first; their works increased, rather 
than diminished. 

20 Jezebel; a wicked woman like the wife of Ahab; 
claiming to be a religious teacher, while she seduced the 
people into error and sin. Her teaching was the same as 
that of Balaam, (v. 14). 

Icastherintoabed; of severe affliction. Thus Christ 
punish her and her sinful lovers. 



372 



REVELATION 



into great tribulation, if they repent not 
of their'^ works. 23 And her children 1 
will slay with death; and all the assem- 
blies shall know that I am He Who search- 
eth the reins and hearts; and I will give to 
you, each one, according to your works. 
24 But to you I say, to the rest who are 
in Thyatira as many as have not this 
teaching, who knew not 'the deep things 
of Satan,' as they say, I cast on you no 
other burden; 25 nevertheless, that which 



ye have, hold fast till I come. 26 And he 
that overcomes, and he that keeps My 
works until the end, to him will I give 
authority over the nations; 27 and he 
shall rule* them with a rod of iron, as the 
vessels of earthenware are broken in 
pieces, as I also have received from My 
Father; 28 and I will give him the morn- 
ing star. 29 He that has an ear, let him 
hear what the Spirit saith to the assem- 
blies. 



3 Some Mss. give her. 



4 Gr. Shepherd. 



23 Ser children; meaning, probably. Her dupes, or those 
whom she ensnared. 

24 T7(6 deep tilings of Satan; it is thought that this Jez- 
ebel and her followers were -wont to refer to "the depths 
of their knowledge, " and that here the Holy Speaker ap- 
plies the expression "deep things " in its real sense, which 
is "the deep things of Satan." Spiritism, or demon- worship. 



as also Theosophy. and all isms that set aside the atoning 
blood of Christ, class with "the deep things of Satan." 

27 He shall rule them; he shall, with Christ, rule over 
all His foes, (ch. 3:31). ^8 I received from My Father; Ps. 
2:8, 9. 

36 Give Mm the morning star; to shine with him in glory 
with Christ the true Morning Star. 



CHAPTER III. 

1 ''And to the angel of the assembly in 
Sardis write these things," saith He Who 
hath the seven Spirits of God and the seven 
stars: "I know your works, that you have 
a name that you are living, and you are 
dead. 2 Become watchful, and strengthen 
the things that remain, which were about 
to die; for I have not found your works 
complete^ before My God. 3 Remember, 
therefore, how you have received, and did 
hear; and keep it, and repent. If, therefore, 
( you do not watch, I will come as a thief, 
and you shall not know at what hour I will 
come iipon you. 4 But you have a few 
names in Sardis, who did not defile their 
garments; and they shall walk with Me in 
white, because they are worthy. 5 He 
j that overcomes shall thus be clothed in 
■ white garments; and I will in nowise blot 
his name out of the book of life, and I will 



confess his name before My Father and 
before His angels. 6 He that has an ear, 
let him hear what the Spirit saith to the 
assemblies. 

7 ' 'And to the angel of the assembly in 
Philadelphia write these things," saith He 
Who is holy. He Who is true. He Who 
hath the key of David, He Who openeth, 
and no one shall shut; and shutteth, and no 
one opens: 8 '"I know your works. Be- 
hold, Ihaveset^ before you a door opened, 
which no one can shut; because you have 
a little power, and kept My word, and did 
not deny My name. 9 Behold, I give 
those of the synagogue of Satan, who say 
they are Jews, and are not, but do lie — 
behold, I will make them to come and wor- 
ship before your feet, and to know that I 
loved you. 10 Because you kept the word 
of My patience, I also will keep you from 
the hour of trial, which is about to come 
upon the whole inhabited earth, to try those 



1 Or. fulfilled. 



2 Gr. Given. 



NOTES ON CHAPTER III. 

1 Aname; how many have only a name, but no Christ 

2 Things which remain: their remaining attachments to 
the faith and practice of the Gospel. 

3 Sow you have believed and heard; with eagerness and 
delight you received the Gospel at first. 

4 Did not defile their garments: have not dishonored their 
profession, by embracing error. White; the emblem of 
purity and blessedness. 

5 Will confess Bis name; Matt. 10:32, 33; 25:34-10. 

7 The key o f David; the key of the house of David, (Isa. 
22:22) ; indicating supreme headship, or absolute authority. 
(Luke 1:33, 33, where "the house of Jacob" denotes the 
true spiritual Israel) 



8 A door opened, which no one can shut; when God gives 
His servants an open door, or freedom to preach and prac- 
tice the Gospel, no one can shut it, (I Cor. 16:9; II Cor. 
2:12; Col. 4:3). 

9 Synagogue of Satan; as God inhabits His true people, 
filling them with His fulness, (Eph. 3:16-19) ; so Satan pos- 
sesses and fills those who yield to him. and thus they be- 
come a synagogue, or sanctuary, of Satan. Worship before 
your feet; humble themselves before you. 

10 I will keep you from the hour of trial; this seems to 
allude to the great tribulation, because it is a world-wide 
trial; and the keeping of them from this hour of trial 
seems equivalent to the rapture. Whether this verse re- 
fers to the rapture and the tribulation to follow it, or not. 
It forcibly reminds us of Luke 31 :36. 



kevelatio:n 



373 



who dwell upon the earth. 11 I am com- 
\ ing speedily; hold fast that which you have, 
that no one take your crown. 12 He that 
' overcomes, I will make him a pillar in the 
temple of My Grod; and he shall in nowise 
go out any more: and I will write on him 
the name of My God, and the name of the 
city of My God, the New Jerusalem, which 
comes down out of Heaven from My God, 
and My own New Name. 13 He that has 
an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith 
to the assemblies. 

14 "And to the angel of the assembly in 
Laodicea write these things," saith the 
Amen, the Faithful and the True Witness, 
the Beginning of the creation of God: 15 
"I know your works, that you are neither 
cold nor hot. I would you were cold or 
hot. 16 So, because you are lukewarm, 
and neither hot nor cold, I am about to 
spew you out of My mouth. 17 Because 
you say, 'I am rich, and have gotten riches. 



and have need of nothing'; and do not know 
that you are the wretched one, and pitiable, 
and poor, and blind, and naked! 18 I 
counsel you to buy of Me gold refined by 
fire, that you may be rich; and white gar- 
ments, that you may clothe yourself, and 
that the shame of your nakedness may not 
be made manifest; and eye-salve to anoint 
your eyes, that you may see! 19 As many I 
as I love, I reprove and chasten. Be zeal- ' 
ous, therefore, and repent. 

20 ''Behold, I stand^ at the door, and! 
knock; if anyone hear my voice, and open ' 
the door, I will come in to him, and will 
sup with him, and he with Me. 21 He i 
that overcomes, I will give to him to sit ' 
down with Me in My throne, as I also over- 
came, and sat down with My Father in His 
throne. 22 He that has an ear, let him 
hear what the Spirit saith to the assem- 
blies. 



11 Your crown; This seems to be the crown of honor, 
rather than the crown of life. Many will be saved, who 
will not reign with Jesus as overcomers. 

12 A pillar in the temple of My God; a place of perma- 
nent importance and dignity in the spiritual temple of 
God, (Eph. 2:20-22; II Pet. 2:5). I will write on Mm the 
name of My God . . . the name of the city of My God . . . 
My own New Name; indicating thereby that he belongs to 
God and to His glorious habitation, with the new Name of 
-Jesus branded on him. 

14 The Amen; the One Who executes all His word. The 
Beginning of the creation; John 1:1-4; Col. 1:16, 17. 

15 Neither cold nor hot; lukewarm, indifferent about His 
religion. I would you were cold; better to make no preten- 
sions to religion, than to hold to the name without the 
reality. God wishes His people to be in earnest. 

16 Spew you out of My mouth; reject you with loathing 
and disgust, as a man would food that had soured in his 
stomach, and had been vomited up. 

17 I am rich; have knowledge and all that is necessary 
to my happiness. And do not know; have no spiritual dis- 
cernment to see and realize your utter lack of all things 
that make up true Christianity. 

18 Gold . . . white garments . . . eye-salve; the rich 
spiritual blessings and gifts Christ will bestow upon those 
who follow Him fully. 

19 Eeprove and chasten; when one yields himself to the 
Lord in the spirit of true obedience, the Lord reproves him 
for his sins, faults, and short-comings, and puts him in the 
school of discipline, as the word "chasten" indicates, (Heb 
12:6-10). 

20 I stand at the door; denoting the readiness of Christ 
to minister to the needs of His disciples. And knock 



3 Gr. Have taken my stand. 



knock for admission into the hearc. // anyone hear My 
voice; suggestive of the fact that many may not, after all ; 
His interest in them, hear His voice, being so taken up 
with the business and anxieties of life. And open the door; 
Jesus will not force the door open, in order that He may 
gain admittance ; His followers, if they will hear, and open 
the door, will have Him, not as a. Visitor, but as a perma- 
nent Guest, Who will supply the rich viands for the feasts 
that will follow. To open the door, is to surrender the will 
to Christ, with an invitation to Him to come in. This is 
the wisest thing the believer can possibly do ; for it is 
through the power of Christ ruling in the heart and con- 
trolling the life, that one may become an overoomer— over- 
coming sin. self, the world, and the Devil; and, besides, 
growing up into Him in all things, and reaching the meas- 
ure of the stature of the fulness of Christ, (Eph. 4:13-15). 

21 Se that overcomes; he that overcomes all the ene- 
mies that stand in the way of his reaching God's highest 
and best. And who is it that thus overcomes? None but 
the believer who opens the door of his heart, and lets the 
Savior in; and then puts the government of his whole be- 
ing upon His shoulder. The experience of the fully en- 
throned Christ brings one, and nothing else can, to the 
place of the full overcomer. To sit down with M^e in My 
throne: Christ desires to lift to His throne every believer 
who will yield his all absolutely to Him, and follow Him 
in all things; thus dropping his own life to get the perfect 
life of Christ developed in him. In this way the ruling 
portion of God's children are developed, till they are com- 
pletely transformed into Christ's image, (II Cor. 3:18); 
"grow up into Him in all things." (Eph. 4:15); and 
reach the fulness of His stature, (Eph. 4:13). Have you 
opened the door of your heart to Him? 



CHAPTEE IV. 

1 After these things I saw, and, behold 



a door opened in Heaven; and the first 
voice which I heard was as a voice of a 
trumpet speaking with me, saying, "Come 



NOTES ON CHAPTER IV. 

1 After these things; after the matters relating to the 

seven assemblies. I will show you the things . . . after 



these; the things that will follow the close of the present 
dispensation, or the rapture. This chapter and the next, 
being a vision of things in Heaven, are not the things that 



374 



KEVELATION 



up hither, and I will show you the things 
which must take place after these." 

2 Straightway I was in the Spirit, and, 
behold, there was a throne set in Heaven, 
and One sitting upon the throne; 3 and 
He Who was sitting was^ in appearance, 
like a jasper stone and a sardius; there was 
a rainbow round about the throne, in ap- 
pearance, like an emerald; 4 and around 
the throne were twenty -four thrones, and 
on the thrones twenty-four elders sitting, 
arrayed in white garments, and on their 
heads crowns of gold. 5 And out of the 
throne proceed lightnings and voices and 
thunderings; and there were seven lamps 
of fire burning before the throne, which 
are the seven Spirits of God; 6 and before 
the throne, as it were a glassy sea like 
crystal; and, in the midst of the throne, 
and around the throne, four living crea- 
tures full of eyes before and behind. 7 
And the first living creature was like a 



lion; and the second living creature like a 
calf; and the third living creature having 
a face as of a man; and the fourth living 
creature was like an eagle flying. 8 And 
the four living creatures, having each one 
of them six wings, are full of eyes around 
and within; and they have no rest, day and 
night, saying, "Holy I Holy! Holyl the 
Lord God, the Almighty, Who was, and 
Who is, and Who is coming ! " 9 And, 
when the living creatures shall give glory 
and honor and thanksgiving to Him Who 
sitteth on the throne — to Him Who liveth 
forever and ever, 10 the twenty-four 
elders will fall down before Him Who sit- 
teth on the throne, and will worship Him 
Who liveth forever and ever, and will cast 
their crowns before the throne, saying, 11 
Worthy art Thou, our Lord and our God, 
to receive the glory and the honor and the 
power; because Thou didst create all things; 
and, because of Thy will, they were, and 
were created." 



■were to be shown John; but the vision of earthly things 
begins with the 6th chapter and closes with the 11th. 

2 I was in the SpiHt; was under His power and control, 
So he goes through the open door into Heaven, to see and 
.hear what the Spirit wisheth to reveal to him. 

3 Jasper; a precious stone of several colors, as purple, 
blue, and green. Sardius ; a precious stone of bright red 
color, (Ezek. 1:27). An Emerald; a gem of soft green 
color. 

4 Twenty-four elders; this vision of the twenty-four 
elders and of the four living creatures is not to be taken as 
something already existing, but as picturing what will be 
after the rapture, when the overcomers are caught up to 
the throne of Christ. 

5 Lightnings, and voices, and thunderings; showing 
forth the awful majesty and power of God. Seven lamps 
ch. 1:4. 

6 A glassy sea like crystal; ch. 15:2. "An expanse of 
crystalline clearness and splendor, " answering to the paved 
work of a sapphire "Stone, and, as it were, the body of 
Heaven inits clearness, (Ex. 24:10). Four living creatures; 
these very much resemble those in a vision of Ezek. chs. 



10. These living creatures seem to be nearest the throne, 
and to give out the mind of God to the twenty-four elders. 
Full o/ eves; indicating their great intelligence, as also 
their readiness and capability to discern the will of God. 
None of God's creatures are omniscient; but they are di- 
rected by His omni-present, omniscient Spirit. The four 
living creatures seem to represent the angelic forces that 
administer the providence of God. 

7 Like a linn; denoting power, majesty, and dominion. 
A calf; or young bullock, ready for service or saoriflee. 
Face as a man; indicative of reason, intelligence, human- 
ity. A flying eagle; denoting swiftness, far-sightedness, 
and elevation. 

8 Six wings; indicating great swiftness and readiness 
in executing the will of God. Have no rest; they never 
cease crying, "Holyl Holyl Holyl" though they never tire 
of such service. 

9, 10 When the living creatures; these, being nearest the 
throne of God, seem to catch His mind first, and give it 
forth to the others, in volumes of praise and worship. Then 
the others— the twenty-four elders, who probably repre- 
sent the ruling power under Jesus, (ch. 3:21)— take up the 
strain, and worship Him. 



CHAPTEK V. 

1 And I saw, in ^ the right hand of Him 
Who was sitting on the throne, a book 
written within and on the back, sealed up 
with seven seals. 2 And I saw a strong 
angel, proclaiming with a great voice. 



1 Gr. Vpon. 



"Who is worthy to open the book, and to 
loose its seals ? " 

3 And no one in Heaven, or on the earth, 
or under the earth, was able to open the 
book or to look upon it. 4 And I was 
weeping much, because no one was found 
worthy to open the book, or to look upon 
it; 5 and one of the elders says to me, 



NOTES ON CHAPTER V. 



1 A booh; a scroll, written on both sides to denote the 
fullness of its contents; and sealed up with seven seals, to 



denote the security of its subject matter, (Ezek. 2:9. 10). 

2 Loose the seals; so as to be able to read the book, and 
learn its contents. 

4 Look on it; so as to gain any idea as to its contents. 



REVELATION 



375 



"Weep not; behold, the Lion Who is of 
the tribe of Judah, the root of David, pre- 
vailed to open the book, and its seven seals. 
6 And I saw, in the midst of the throne 
and of the four living creatures, and in 
the midst of the elders, a Lamb standing, 
as if slain, having seven horns and seven 
eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God, 
sent forth into all the earth. 7 And He 
came, and hath taken it out of the right 
hand of Him Who sitteth upon the throne. 
8 And, when He took the book, the four 
living creatures and the twenty-four elders 
fell down before the Lamb, having, each, 
a harp, and golden bowls full of incense, 
which are the prayers of the saints. 9 
And they sing a new song, saying, "Worthy 
art Thou to take the book, and to open 
the seals; because Thou wast slain, and 
didst redeem to God, by Thy blood, some 
of every tribe, and tongue, and people, and 
nation; 10 and didst make them,^ to our 



2 A few Mss. give, MS. 



God, a Kingdom and priests, and they^ 
will reign on the earth. 

11 And I saw, and heard the voice of 
many angels round about the throne, and 
of the living creatures, and of the elders, 
(and the number of them was ten thousand 
times ten thousand, and thousands of 
thousands) ; 12 saying with a great voice, 
"Worthy is the Lamb Who hath been 
slain, to receive the power, and riches, and 
wisdom, and might, and honor, and glory, 
and blessing!" 

13 And every created thing which is in 
Heaven, and on the earth, and under the 
earth, and on the sea, and all that are in 
them, I heard saying, "To Him Who sit- 
teth upon the throne, and to the Lamb, be 
the blessing, and the honor, and the glory, 
and the might, forever and ever!" 14 And 
the four living creatures said, "Amen." 
And the elders fell down and worshiped. 

Some Mss. give, we. 



5 The liion Who is of the tribe of Judali; Christ, Who 
has the properties of a lamb and of a lion. The root of 
David: a descendant of David on the human side of His 
heing. Prevailed to open the toofc; literally, " conquered " ; 
that is. He conquered death and Hell, and ascended to the 
right hand of the Father, where He received all power in 
Heaven and earth, and, among all the rest. He received 
power to open the book, and unseal the decrees of Almighty 
God. The book, supposably, contains the summarized 
history and results of the redemption wrought out by 
Jesus Christ. 

6 Seven horns; the symbol of perfect authority and 
power. Seven eyes; the symbol of perfect vision, or 
knowledge ; explained to be the same as the seven Spirits, 
which denote the perfect working of the Spirit in the 
character and life of the believer. (John 14:26; 15:26; 16:7; 
Acts 2:33). 

8 The four living creatures and twenty -four elders: here, 
as in V. 14, and in ch. 4:9, 10, the four living creatures be- 
gin the praise and adoration of God, and then the elders 
follow it up. Goldenbowls full of incense . . . the prayers 



of the saints; the golden bowls of incense represent the 
prayers of the saints ; the expression shows the great ac- 
ceptance, on the part of God, of our humble, believing, 
affectionate, and fervent prayers. 

9 A new song; the song of redeeming love through the 
atonement and righteousness of Christ. 

10 Didst make them, to our God, a Kingdom and priests; 
God's Kingdom has the saints as the elements composing 
the Kingdom, and He makes them priests to minister to 
Christ. This Kingdom will extend over all the earth. 

All will, at last, acknowledge the worthiness of 
Jesus Christ, to receive the praise and adoration of men 
and angels ; but this does not signify that all will enter into 
His service, (Rev. 20:10-]5). 

N. B.— Different Mss. give different readings on verses 9 
and 10; one set of them would make the four living crea- 
tures as well as the twenty-four elders a part of the re- 
deemed host; whereas, the other set of Mss. exclude the • 
living creatures from the number of the redeemed, and 
leave them to be classed with the highest angelic forces, 
that have been active in the work of redemption. 



the four living creatures saying, as with a 
voice of thunder, "Come."^ 2. And I saw, 



CHAPTER VI. 

1 And I saw, when the Lamb opened 
one of the seven seals, and I heard one of 



1 Some Mss. add, and see. 



NOTES ON CHAPTER VI. 
iV. -B.— If we understand the seven seals to follow the 
rapture, we avoid the endless difficulty and confusion that 
attend the system of interpretation that seeks to find 
events in past history answering to the different seals. If 
the Laodicean church closes church history up to the rap- 
ture, then it is easy to see that the seven seals, the sever 
trumpets, and the seven bowls of wrath, mark different 
events that occur between the rapture and the coming of 
Christ with His saints, to destroy the armies of the beast 
(Zech. 14:4-13; Rev. 19:11-21), and to open the way for the 
establishment of His Millennial reign. Daniel's year-day 



prophecy covers the historical outline of events up to the 
coming of Christ to take His bride from the earth; and 
Revelation, besides giving a historical outline of Chris- 
tianity in the messages to the seven assemblies of Asia, 
particularizes the events that follow the rapture, up to the 
New Heavens and the New Earth. 

1 One of the four living creatures; these appear to be the 
angelic forces that have a part in the execution of the 
providential events connected with the redemptive work 
of Jesus Christ. If we regard, with some, the living Crea- 
tures as belonging to the redeemed, they would represent 
the highest class of overcomers. 



376 



REVELATION 



and, behold, a white horse, and He Who sat 
on him had a bow; and a crown was given 
to him; and he went forth conquering, and 
to conquer. 

3 And, when He opened the second seal, 
I heard the second living creature saying, 
' 'Come." 4 And there went forth another 
horse, a red one; and to him who was sit- 
ting thereon it was given to take peace 
from the earth, and that they should slay 
one another; and there was given to him a 
great sword. 

6 And, when He opened the third seal, 
I heard the third living creature saying, 
"Come." And I saw, and, behold, a black 
horse, and he who sat on him had a balance 
in his hand. 6 And I heard as if a voice 
in the midst of the four living creatures, 
saying, "A measure of wheat for a denary, 
and three measures of barley for a denary; 
and the oil and the wine do not hurt." 

7 And, when He opened the fourth seal, 
I heard a voice of the fourth living creature 
saying, "Come." 8 And I saw, and be- 
hold, a pale horse; and he that sat on him, 
his name was Death; and Hades was fol- 
lowing with him. And there was given to 
them authority over the fourth part of the 
earth, to kill with sword, and with famine, 
and with death, and by the wild beasts of 
the earth. 



2 A white horse; an emblem of victory. The rider seems 
to represent Christ Himself. If so. it would seem that He 
goes forth to strengthen and encourage His servants who 
were not ready for the rapture, hut who will speedily have 
an opportunity to prove their love and loyalty to Him by 
martyrdom during the tribulation period. "Come;" this 
may be translated "Go." 

4 Red; an emblem of war and bloodshed. 

5 Black; a symbol of mourning, woe, and desolation. 
Balance; indicating scarcity of food. 

6 A measure; something less than a quart, and about 
enough to sustain a man for a day. Senary; the price of a 
day's labor. Hence, at the high price of food, one could 
barely subsist. Wheat would be about five dollars per 
bushel. The oil and the wine; these would he needed to 
keep people from starving. 

8 A pale horse; a symbol of ghastly death, indicating 
death from many causes; as by famine and pestilence. 
Hades followed with him; Hades [the house of the dead] fol- 
lows Death with the view of gathering up all his victims. 
Authority over the fourth part of the earth, to kill with 
sword . . .hunger . . . death . . . and wild beasts of the 
earth; here we find four destructive agencies to kill the 
fourth part of men. Compare Ezek. 14:31; also Jer. 15:3. 

9 The souls of those who had been slain; the souls of 
those who had suffered martydom for Jesus' sake, (ch. 
13:7, where the slaughter pictured in ch. 6:9. really takes 
place). 



9 And, when He opened the fifth seal, I 
saw, underneath the altar, the souls of those 
who had been slain because of the word of 
God, and because of the testimony which 
they were holding. 10 And they cried 
with a great voice, saying, "How long, O 
Master, the Holy, and the True, dost Thou 
not judge and avenge our blood on those 
who dwell upon the earth!" 11 And a white 
robe was given to each one of them; and it 
was said to them, that they should rest yet 
a little time, until their fellow-servants and 
their brethren, who were about to be slain, 
as they also had been, should fulfill^ their 
course. 12 And I saw, when He opened 
the sixth seal, and a great earthquake took 
place; and the sun became black as sack- 
cloth of hair, and the whole moon became 
as blood; 13 and the stars of the heaven 
fell to the earth, as a fig-tree casts her un- 
ripe figs, when shaken by a great wind; 
14 and the Heaven was parted asunder, as 
a scroll rolled up; and every mountain and 
island were removed out of their places. 
1.5 And the kings of the earth, and the 
magnates, and the commanders of thous- 
ands, and the rich, and the strong, and 
every bondman and freeman, hid them- 
selves in the caves and in the rocks of the 
mountains; 16 and they say to the moun- 
tains and to the rocks, "Fall on us, and 



3 Or, should be completed in number. 



11 Awhiterobe; expressive of victory, purity, and peace. 
Should rest yet for a little time; intimating that the time 
for avenging their blood had not yet come ; but more mar- 
tyrs must still be added to their numbers. These seem to 
have been the first tribulation martyrs ; and others were 
to follow in their steps, as the tribulation would progress. 

12-14 When Se opened the sixth seal; the opening of the 
sixth seal seems to bring us very near to the consumation. 
Some of the events described in this and the following 
verses seem to indicate that the actual end is very near at 
hand. Yet the seventh seal and a r iber of other events 
follow it; but, as it seems, in very rapid succession, 

15 Sid themselves; or sought to hide themselves from 
avenging justice that was now ready to destroy them be- 
cause of their wickedness, and cruelty to the followers of 
Jesus, whom they murdered. 

16 Fall onus, and hide us; indicating their great con- 
sternation, when Christ should appear— as they were now 
momentarily expecting Him— to avenge the martyred 
servants, and settle accounts with them on all scores. The 
time is coming, when all the enemies of Christ, and the 
abusers and murderers of His disciples, will he put to utter 
shame and confusion, and will seek to ea ;ape from His 
presence ; but i t will be all in vain. They must face thca- 
Judge, and account to Him for all their mistreatment of 
His disciples, which He will regard as having been done to 
Himself; and then they Wi.»l receive their sentence, and en- 
ter upon the punishment which their conduct merited. 



KEVELATION 



377 



hide us from the face of Him Who is sit- 
ting on the throne, and from the wrath of 
the Lamb; 17 because the great day of 



their'' wrath came, and who is able to 
stand?" 



Some Mss. read His. 



17 Because the great day of their wrath; the wrath that 
they had merited, and was now about ready to he poured 
out. Some textsread "His wrath." as if it was the wrath 
of Christ; but it is better to retjard the wrath as that 
which the enemies of Christ have by, their wicked deeds, 



brought upon themselves. They have treasured up wrath 
against the day of wrath. Came; this is the unquestioned 
translation; and it is spoken in anticipation, hence, it 
might be styled, as in some other places, " The aorist an- 

ticipatlve." 



CHAPTER VII. 

1 After this I saw four angels standing 
at the four corners of the earth, holding 
the four winds of the earth, that no wind 
should blow on the earth, or on the sea, 
or upon any tree. 

2 And I saw another angel ascending 
from the rising of the sun, having a seal 
of the living God; and he cried with a 
loud voice to the four angels, to whom it 
was given to hurt the earth and the sea, 

3 saying, "Hurt not the earth, nor the 
sea, nor the trees, until we shall seal the 
servants of our Grod on their foreheads." 

4 And I heard the number of the sealed, 
a hundred and forty-four thousand, sealed 
out of every tribe of the sons of Israel. 

5 Of the tribe of Judah twelve thousand 
were sealed; 

Of the tribe of Reuben, twelve thou- 
sand; 

Of the tribe of Gad, twelve thousand; 

6 Of the tribe of Asher, twelve thousand; 
Of the tribe of Naphtali, twelve thou- 
sand; 

Of the tribe of Manasseh, twelve thou- 
sand; 

7 Of the tribe of Simeon, twelve thousand; 
Of the tribe of Levi, twelve thousand; 
Of the tribe of Issachar, twelve thou- 
sand; 



Of the tribe of Zebulon, twelve thou- 
sand; 

Of the tribe of Joseph, twelve thousand; 

Of the tribe of Benjamin, twelve thou- 
sand were sealed. 

9 After these things I saw, and, behold, 
a great multitude, which no one could 
number, out of every nation, and of all 
tribes and peoples and tongues, standing 
before the throne, and before the Lamb, 
arrayed in white robes, and palms in their 
hands; 10 and they cry with a great voice, 
saying, ' ' Salvation to our God, Who sits 
on the throne, and to the Lamb!" 

11 And all the angels stood around the 
throne, and around the elders, and the four 
living creatures; and they fell before the 
throne on their faces, and worshiped God, 
12 saying, "Amen. The blessing, and 
the glory, and the wisdom, and the thanks- 
giving, and the honor, and the power, and 
the strength, be to our God forever and 
ever. Amen!" 

13 And one of the elders answered, 
saying to me, "These who are clothed in 
white robes, who are they, and whence 
did they come ? " 

14 And I have said to him, "My lord, 
you know." And he said to me, "These 
are those who come out of the great tribu- 



NOTES ON CHAPTER VII. 

1 After these things : after the events of the sixth seal. 
The four corners of the earth; east, west, north, and south. 
Holding the four winds; probably, restraining human pas- 
sions and wrath, and causing a period of calm and quiet. 

3 Ascending from the rising of the sun; from the east 
Having a seal; with which to mark the servants of God, sc 
as to distinguish them from others, 

3 Hurt not the earth; let no disturbance come upon the 
earth, till we have sealed God's people. 

i A hundred aud forty-four thousand; this Is by some 
supposed to be a definite for an indefinite, but very large 
number of believers, both Jews and gentiles, who constitute 
the true Israel of God. Others take it literally, as refer- 
ring to the ancient tribes of Israel, after they shall be re 
stored to the home of their ancestors. And, as the twelve 
apostles are, under Christ, to rule over the twelve tribes of 
the children of Israel during the Millennium, it would seem 
that this prophecy refers to a literal gathering of so many 



out of each of the tribes named, preparatory to the Mil- 
lennial reign. If this is the correct view, then, during the 
progress of the tribulation, we may expect the lost tribes 
of Israel to be brought to light. God knoweth where these 
tribes are; and it will be an easy matter for Him to bring 
them to light. 

9 Which no one could number; a picture, this, of the 
great mass of the saved. Palms in their hands; in token 
of their victory over sin; but here there is no mention of 
crowns. Only the full overoomers are to be crowned, (ch. 
3:31). 

13 Blessina . . . and strength; notice the seven specifi- 
cations here, indicative of perfect or complete adoration, 
(oh. 5:13). 

14 Who come out of the great tribulation; the Greek ex- 
pression is "the tribulation the great," which seems to 
point definitely to the tribulation then in progress, but 
not yet complete. Here it seems possible that all the 
martyred hosts of Christians of all ages, and all who have 



378 



EEVELATION 



lation-,^ and they washed their robes, and 
made them white in the blood of the 
Lamb. 15 For this reason are they be- 
fore the throne of God, and they serve 
Him day and night in His Temple; and He 
Who sitteth on the throne will spread His 
tabernacle^ over them. 16 They shall 



1 Gr. The tribulation the great, a Or. tent. 



hunger no more, nor thirst any more; nor 
shall the sun by any means fall on them, 
nor any heat; 17 because the Lamb, Who 
is in the midst of the throne, will be their 
Shepherd, and will guide them to the 
fountains of the waters of life; and God 
will wipe away every tear from their eyes. 



pressed their way over all obstacles, are included in this 
number. Made them white in the blood of the Lamb; were 
cleansed and made pure through faith in the atoning blood 
ol Christ. 

15 For this reason; because ol their faith in Christ and 
cleansing through His blood. 



16 Hunger no more; have no more deprivations of any 
sort. Many of God's dear children have gone hungry and 
almost naked because of the oppression of their enemies; 
but, when they reach Heaven, their needs will be supplied. 

17 Wipe away every tear; by removing all occasions of 
sorrow, and by filling them with joy forever. 



CHAPTEK VIH. 

1 And, when He opened the seventh 
seal, there was silence in Heaven about 
half an hour. 2 And I saw the seven 
angels who stood before God, and there 
were given to them seven trumpets. 

3 And another angel came, and stood 
over the altar, having a golden censer; 
and there was given to him much incense, 
that he might add^ it to the prayers of all 
the saints upon the golden altar which was 
before the throne. 4 And the smoke of 
the incense, with the prayers of the saints, 
ascended before God out of the hand of the 
angel. 

5 And the angel has taken the censer 
and he filled it with the fire of the altar, 
and cast it to the earth; and there fol- 
lowed thunders, and voices, and light- 
nings, and an earthquake. 

6 And the seven angels, who had the 
seven trumpets, prepared themselves to 
sound. 

7 And the first sounded; and there fol 
lowed hail and fire, mingled with blood 



and they were cast to the earth; and the 
third part of the earth was burnt up, and 
the trees were burnt up, and all green 
grass was burnt up. 

8 And the second angel sounded, 9,nd as 
it were a great mountain burning with 
fire was cast into the sea; and the third 
part of the sea became blood; 9 and the 
third part of the creatures which were 
in the sea, that had souls, ^ died; and the 
third part of the ships was destroyed. 

10 And the third angel sounded; and 
there fell out of the heaven a great star, 
burning as a torch, and it fell on the third 
part of the rivers, and upon the fountains 
of the waters. 11 And the name of the 
star is called Wormwood. And the third 
part of the waters became wormwood; 
and many of the nen died in consequence 
of the waters, because they were made 
bitter. 

12 And the fourth angel sounded; and 
the third part of the sun was smitten, and 
the third part of the moon, and the third 
part of the stars, that the third part of 



1 Gr. Give. 



2 Or. life. 



NOTES ON CHAPTER VIII. 

1 Silence in Heaven . . . half an hour; a brief quiet, as 
a calm before the gathering storm. 

2 Seven angels; messengers ready to do the will of God 
Seven trumpets; instruments designed to awaken alarm at 
some approaching evil. 

3 Another angel; supposed to be Jesus Christ, our Great 
High Priest, offering the prayers of His people, with His 
own intercessions accompanying them. (Heb. 7:25). The 
object of these prayers is, probably, the avenging of the 
blood of the martyrs, as in ch. 6:10. Censer; a pan. or 
small vessel, in which incense was burnt, and from which 
arose a smoke of fragrant odor. 

4 Ascended before God; indicating that their prayers 
were accepted. 

5 The censer; the one used in burning the incense. 
Filled it with ftre; a symbol of God's wrath soon to be vis- 
ited on the wicked. Cast it to the earth; as the place 



where God's judgments were to be executed. Thunders . . . 
earthquake; all symbolic of the impending wrath soon to 
be poured out on God's enemies. 

6 The seven trumpets; these appear to be used in con- 
nection with the tribulation woes, and are intermingled 
with the seals, or come close after them; the seventh seal 
ending nearly co-terminously, it is believed, with the 
sounding of the seventh trumpet. 

7 Hail . . . fire . . . blood; symbols of ruin and slaugh- 
ter. 

9 The third part . . . died; third part of ships was de- 
stroyed; indicating great loss of life and destruction of 
property. 

11 Wormwood; probably indicating the bitter trials 
which would come upon men. resulting in great loss of 
life. 

\i Third part of the sun . . . moon , . . stars; this 
would seem to be associated with the opening of the sixl"-i 
seal, (ch. 6:12-15; Matt. 24:29). 



REVELATION 



379 



them might be darkened, and that the day 
might not shine for the third part of it, 
and the night in like manner. 

13 And I saw, and heard an^ eagle fly- 



is By reason of the other voices of the trumpet; the three 
remaining trumpets are attended by great woes ; the last 



ing in mid-heaven, saying with a great 
voice, "Woe, woe, woe, to those who 
dwell on the earth, by reason of the other 
voices of the trumpet of the three angels 
who are about to sound! " 



trumpet being the signal for the closing of the nresent dis- 
pensation, and bringing on the Millennial reign. 



CHAPTER IX. 

1 And the fifth angel sounded, and I saw 
a star fallen out of the heaven to^ the 
earth, and there was given to him the key 
of the pit of the abyss. 2 And he opened 
the pit of the abyss; and there went up a 
smoke out of the pit, as the smoke of a 
great furnace; and the sun and the air 
were darkened by reason of the smoke of 
the pit. 3 And out of the smoke came 
forth locusts upon the earth; and authority 
was given to them, as the scorpions of the 
earth have authority. 4 And it was said 
to them, that they should not injure the 
grass of the earth, nor any green thing, 
nor any tree, but only such men as have 
not the seal of God upon their foreheads. 
5 And it was given to them, that they 
should not kill them, but that they should 
be tormented five months. And their tor- 
ment was as the torment of a scorpion, 
when it strikes a man. 6 And in those 
days will men seek death, and shall in no 
wise find it; and they will desire to die, 
and death flees from them. 7 And the 
shapes^ of the locusts were like horses pre- 
pared for battle; and on their heads as it 
were crowns like gold; and their faces 
were as the faces of men. 8 And they had 
hair as the hair of women; and their teeth 
we^'e as the teeth of lions. 9 And they had 
breastplates, as it were breastplates of iron; 



and the sound of their wings was as the 
sound of chariots of many horses running 
into battle. 10 And they have tails like 
scorpions, and stings; and in their tails is 
their power to hurt men five months. 11 
They have over them as king the angel of 
the abyss: his name in Hebrew is Abaddon; 
and, in the Greek, he has a name Apol- 
lyon. 12 Thefirst^woe departed; behold, 
there are coming yet two woes hereafter! 

13 And the sixth angel sounded; and I 
heard one voice out of the horns of the 
golden altar which is before God, 14 say- 
ing to the sixth angel, who had the trumpet; 
"Loose the four angels that are bound in 
the great river Euphrates." 15 And the 
four angels were loosed, who had been pre- 
pared for the hour, and day, and month, 
and year, that they might kill the third 
part of men. 16 And the number of the 
armies of the horsemen loas twice ten 
thousand times ten thousand: I heard the 
number of them. 

17 And thus I saw the horses in the 
vision, and those who sat on them, having 
breastplates as of fire, and hyacinth, and 
brimstone. And the heads of the horses 
ai^e as the heads of lions; and out of their 
mouths proceed fire, and smoke, and brim- 
stone. 18 By these three plagues the third 
part of men was killed, by reason of the 
fire, and the smoke, and the brimstone, 
that was issuing out of their mouths. 19 



1 Gr. Into. 2 Or, figures. 

NOTES ON CHAPTER IX. 
1 The pit of the abyss; this seems to be the abode of evil 
spirits, or demons, near which the lake of fire and brim- 
stone is located. Whatever fulfilment, on the year-day 
principle, any of these woes may have had in the past, we 
believe they are to have another fulfilment during the 
tribulation period, and on a day-day principle. 

4 Who have not the seal of God on their foreheads; these 
"locusts" were sent to torture the wicked only, but had 
no right to touch those who were true followers of Christ 
— a plague that seems manifestly future, since, hitherto, 
there has been no general scourge upon the earth that did 
not extend to Christians as well as to sinners. 

5 Five months; if this is a tribulation woe, this five 
months should be taken literally. 



3 Or. the one. 

6 Seek death . . . and in no wise find it; the woe will 
bring such suffering that the sufferers would prefer death, 
but are not permitted to die during the five months. 

11 Abaddon . . . .djsoZlyon.- both words mean destroyer; 
and applies, either to Satan, or to one of his princes. 

14 Loose the four angels that are bound in the great river 
Euphrates; this possibly refers to the great destruction 
that is to come upon the Ottoman empire, when the angels 
of God's wrath are turned loose upon that godless people. 

15 An hour, a day, a month, a year; amounting to 391 
days ; as a tribulation event, this would last more than a 
fourth of the last half of the seven years. 

16 These vast hordes appear to be the agencies that are 
to desolate Turkey, and put the Turks out of the way of 
the Messianic Kingdom soon thereafter to be set up. 



r 



380 



REVELATION 



For the power of the horses is in their 
mouth and in their tails; for their tails are 
like serpents, having heads, and with them 
they hurt, 

20 And the rest of the men, who were 
not killed with these plagues, repented not 
of the works of their hands, that they 



should not worship .the demons, and the 
idols of gold, and of silver, and of brass, 
and of stone, and of wood; which can 
neither see, nor hear, nor walk; 21 and 
they repented not of their murders, nor of 
their sorceries, nor of their fornications, 
nor of their thefts. 



20 Tfte rest of the men; those who survived these desola- 
tions. Repented not; these terrible judgments had no ten 
dency to lead them to repentance; these beings having, as 
it appears, committed the sin. or a sin, against the Holy 



Spirit. The demons, that they had worshiped so long, 
seemed to have them completely under jheir control. Re- 
pentance can come to none in this life, who have passed 
the limits of divine Grace. 



CHAPTER X. 

1 And I saw another strong angel, de- 
scending out of Heaven, clothed with a 
cloud, and the rainbow was upon his head, 
and his face was as the sun, and his feet 
as pillars of fire. 2 And he had in his 
hand a little book opened; and he set his 
right foot on the sea, and his left on the 
land; 3 and he cried with a great voice, 
as a lion roars; and, when he cried, the 
seven thunders uttered their voices. And, 
when the seven thunders spake, I was 
about to write; and I heard a voice out of 
Heaven, saying, "Seal up the things 
which the seven trumpets spake, and write 
them not." 

5 And the angel, whom I saw standing 
on the sea and on the land, lifted up his 
right hand to Heaven, 6 and swore by 
Him Who liveth forever and ever. Who 
created the heaven and the things therein, 
and the earth and the things therein, and 
the sea and the things therein, that there 
shall be delay ^ no longer; 7 but in the 



days of the voice of the seventh angel, when 
he is about to sound, the mystery of God 
shall also be finished,^ as He proclaimed 
the joyful message to His own servants 
the prophets. 

8 And the voice which I heard from 
Heaven, / heoA^d again, talking with me, 
and saying, "Go, take the little book 
wbich is open in the hand of the angel, 
who is standing upon the sea and upon the 
land." 9 And I went to the angel, saying 
to him, that he should give me the little 
book. And he says to me, "Take, and eat 
it up; and it will make your belly bitter, 
but in your mouth it will be sweet as 
honey." 10 And I took the little book 
out of the hand of the angel, and ate it 
up; and it was in my mouth as sweet as 
honey; and, when I ate it, my belly was 
made bitter. 11 And he^ says to me, 
"You must prophesy again concerning 
many peoples and nations and tongues and 
kings." 



2 Some Mss. read, was flnished. 

they say. 



Some Mss. give. 



NOTES ON CHAPTER X. 

1 Another strong angel; very much resembling Jesus 
Christ, or an emblematical representation of His glory. 
Compare ch. 1:13-16; 14:11 Clothed with a cloud; ch. 1:7; 
14:14; Matt. 24:30. 

2 A little book; containing this chapter and the 11th to 
V. 15, or to the sounding of the seventh trumpet. Upon 
the sea and upon the earth; denoting supreme control over 
both. 

3 Seven thunders uttered their voices; each givinga token 
of some impending evil. 

4 Write them not;' hence we know not what they are, 
unless they are the same as the seven last plagues. 

6 There shall be delay no longer; probably meaning that 



there would be no further delay in bringing the impending 
things to a consummation; that is, no delay after the 
sounding of the seventh trumpet. 
7 The mystery of God; the glorious plan for overthrow- 
ng Satan's rule and bringing in the Kingdom of Christ— 
which is the great theme of the book of Revelation. 

9 Eat it up; a symbol for earnestly reading, thor- 
oughly understanding, and diligently considering, the 
prophecies contained in the little book. 

10 8weet . . . 6J<?er; the receiving of the revelation was 
pleasant, but the contents filled him with distress, (Ezek. 

1-3). 

1 1 Concerning many peoples ; John 's prophecy would ex- 
tend to many peoples besides those who would live to the 
close of the assembly period, (chs. 20, 21, 22). 



CHAPTER XI. 

1 And there was given me a reed, like 
, staff,* one saying, " Rise, and measure the 



Or, waXHing-gtick. 



temple of God, and the altar, and those 
worshiping therein. 2 And the court 
which is without the temple leave without, 
and measure it not; because it was given 
to the gentiles, and they will tread down 



REVELATION 



381 



the holy city forty-two months. 3 And 1 
will give to My two witnesses, and they 
shall prophesy a thousand two hundred 
and sixty days, clothed in sackcloth." 

i These are the two olive trees, and the 
two candlesticks,'' that stand before the 
Lord of the earth. 5 And, if anyone 
wishes to injure them, fire issues out of 
their mouth, and devours their enemies; 
and, if anyone wishes to injure them, he 
must in this manner be slain. 6 These 
have authority to shut the heaven, that it 
rain not in the days of their prophecy; 
and they have authority over the waters, 
to turn them into blood, and to smite the 
earth with every plague, as often as they 
may wish. 7 And when they finish their 
testimony, the beast that comes up out of 
the abyss will make war with them, and 
overcome them, and kill them. 8 And 
their corpses will lie on the street of the 
great city, which, spiritually, is called 
Sodom and Egypt, where their Lord also 
was crucified. 

9 And some of the peoples, and tribes, 
and tongues, and nations, look upon their 
corpses three days and a half; and they 
suffer not their corpses to be put into a 
tomb. 10 And those who dwell on the 
earth rejoice over them, and make merry, 
and they will send gifts one to another; 
because these two prophets tormented 
those dwelling on the earth. 11 And, 



after the three days and a half, the spirit 
of life from God entered into them, and 
they stood upon their feet; and great fear 
fell on those who beheld them. 13 And 
they heard a great voice out of Heaven, 
saying to them, "Come up hither." And 
they went up into Heaven, in the cloud; 
and their enemies beheld them. 13 And 
in that hour there was a great earthquake, 
and the tenth part of the city fell; and 
there were killed in the earthquake seven 
thousand persons;^ and the rest became 
terrified, and gave glory to the God of 
Heaven. 

14 The second woe departed; behold, 
the third woe comes quickly. 

15 And the seventh angel sounded; and 
there followed great voices in Heaven, 
saying, "The kingdom of the world be- 
came our Lord's and His Christ's; and He 
will reign forever and ever." 16 And the 
twenty-four elders who sit before God on 
their thrones fell on their faces, and wor- 
shiped God, 17 saying, " We give thanks 
to Thee, O Lord God, the Almighty, Who 
art, and Who wast; because Thou hast 
taken Thy great power, and didst reign. 
18 And the nations were angered, and 
Thy anger came, and the time of the dead 
to be judged, and to give the reward to 
Thy servants the prophets, and to the 
saints, and to those who fear Thy name, 
the small and the great; and to destroy 



2 Or. lampstands. 



3 Gr. Names of men. 



NOTES ON CHAPTER XI. 

The contents of the little hook (ch. 10) are expressed in 
the measuring of the temple and the prophesying of the 
two witnesses. 

2 Forty-two months; this is the same as the 1260 days, 
or "Time, times, a half time." or the same as the last 
half of the "seven years. " or Daniel's 70th week. During 
this, the last halt (perhaps) of the 70th week, the beast 
and his army will trample under foot-the outer court, des- 
olate the city, and desecrate (for a part of the time) the 
temple in Jerusalem. 

3, 4 My two witnesses; some think that these represent 
the Jewish and gentile Christians, who ofler their protests 
against the beast whose image is set up in the temple at 
Jerusalem (ch. 13:14-17), which is the fulfillment of Dan- 
iel's prophecy respecting "the abomination of desola- 
tion," (Dan. 11:31). Others suppose that Moses and Eli- 
jah are to be the two witnesses. These two witnesses are 
"the two olive trees" (v. 4), and these are the two 
"anointed ones," or "the sons of oil," (Zech. 4:14). Now, 
as Moses and Elijah were with the Lord of the whole 
earth, or Jesus Christ, on the mount of Olives, some think 
that the proof is complete, that Moses and Elijah are to 
be the two witnesses, Mai. 4:5 seems to make it probable 
that the veritable Elijah will come into the breach as one 



of the two witnesses, (as he never died); and his testi- 
mony, as that of the other (be he Moses, or Enoch, or 
some other), will, it appears, serve to embolden the Jews 
to hold out against the mighty forces under the beast, and 
not yield to his demands; this being " the time of Jaccb's 
trouble," (Jer. 30:7). 

5. 6 These verses indicate that these witnesses were 
clothed with mighty power, even to take life, and to with- 
hold the rain. This latter reminds us of Elijah in the 
days of King Ahab. (I Kings 17:1); and the former, of 
Moses in Egypt. 

7-13 And when they finish their testimony; the beast, or 
Satan's mighty captain (13th ch. ; also 19:20) will kill 
them, and, at the end of three and a half literal days, they 
will be raised from the dead, and will ascend to meet the 
descending hosts of Jesus Christ, as He returns to destroy 
his enemies, and establish His own blissful reign. 

14 The third woe comes quickly; the third woe, which ac- 
companies the seventh trumpet, follows quickly after the 
ascension of the two witnesses. 

15-19 And the seventh angel sounded; at the sounding of 
this trumpet the Lord Jesus Christ descends, with His 
saints and mighty angels, to end the tribulation period 
(Zech. 14:4-13; Rev, 19:11-21), bind Satan (ch. 20:1-3), 
and to inaugurate His Millennial reign, (ch. 20:4-6). With 
the seventh trumpet the dispensation closes. 



382 



REVELATION 



those who destroy the earth." 19 And 
the Temple of God that is in Heaven was 
opened, and the ark of His covenant was 



seen in His Temple; and there were light- 
nings, and voices, and thunders, and an 
earthquake, and great hail. 



Jf. 5.— The writer does not claim infallibility lor all 
lihese views; but they are the best he has at this time. 
Surely no one can know that he understands these great 



mysteries correctly, unless he certainly knows that God 
has taught him their true meaning. Dogmatism, in such 
mysteries as these, is altogether out of place. 



CHAPTER XII. 

1 And a great sign was seen in the 
heaven; a woman clothed with the sun, and 
the moon under her feet, and on her head 
a crown of twelve stars; 2 and, being 
with child, she cries out, travailing in birth, 
and being in pain to bring forth. 

3 And another sign was seen in the 
heaven; and, behold, a great red dragon, 
having seven heads and ten horns, and 
upon his heads seven diadems. 4 And his 
tail drags the third part of the stars of 
heaven, and did cast them to the earth. 
And the dragon has taken his stand before 
the woman who is about to bring forth; in 
order that, when she brings forth, he may 
devour her child. 6 And she brought 
forth a man-child, who is about to rule all 
the nations with a rod of iron; and her child 
was caught up to God and to His throne. 
6 And the woman fled into the wilderness, 
where she has a place prepared by God, 
that they may nourish her there a thou- 
sand two-hundred and sixty days. 

7 And there was war in the heaven; Mi- 



chael and his angels went forth to war with 
the dragon. And the dragon made war, 
and his angels; 8 and they prevailed not, 
nor was their place found any more in the 
heaven. 9 And the great dragon was 
cast down, the old serpent, he that is called 
the Devil and Satan, who deceives the 
whole habitable earth; he was cast down to 
the earth, and his angels were cast down 
with him. 

10 And I heard a great voice in Heaven, 
saying, "Now came the salvation, and the 
power, and the Kingdom of our God, and 
the authority of His Christ; because the 
accuser of our brethren was cast down, he 
who accused them before our God day and 
night; 11 and they overcame him because 
of the blood of the Lamb, and because of 
the word of their testimony, and they 
loved not their soul,^ even to death. 12 
On this account, rejoice, ye Heavens, and 
ye who dwell in them! Woe to the earth, 
and to the sea! because the Devil went 
down to you, having great wrath, knowing 
that he has but a little time. 



Or, life. 



NOTES ON CHAPTER XII. 

We understand the woman in this chapter to represent 
Christendom, and the man-child to represent the overcom- 
ing portion of the raptured saints. This chapter, chrono- 
logically, seems to fit on to the close of the third chapter. 
Chapters 4 and 5 present a heavenly vision; chs. 6-11 set 
forth in symbol the woes that are to follow the rapture; 
and ohs. 13-19 execute these foretold woes. 

1, 3 Clothed with the sun, and the moon under her feet': 
this indicates the great honor and dignity that attach to 
the woman. Travailing in birth, and being injiain to bring 
forth; this seems to represent the great labor and pain of 
Christendom, in bringing forth the full overcomer. who is, 
with Jesus, to rule the world with a rod of iron, (ch. 3:21). 

3, 4 These verses seem to represent Satan who is striv- 
ing to thwart the purpose of God to elevate to the throne 
a portion of the seed of Christ. 

5 She brought forth a man-child; not Jesus Christ, as 
understand it, but some believers of the overcoming type 
(Eph. 4:13, 15), who are fit to reign with Jesus by reason of 
His fully developed life in them. To make this man-child 
refer to Jesus Christ, is to violate a universal principle in 
language, which forbids, in the very nature of things, the 
symbolizing of a past historical eventi Christ had been 
born not far from ninety years, when John wrote the book 
of Revelation; but, if we understand this man-child as 
representing one of a class of lull-overcomers, who are to 
reign with Jesus, then there seems to be no violence done 
to the language. 



6 Fled into the wilderness; after giving birth to the 
overcomers, who are caught up to the throne of God, 
Christendom at large, being unprepared for the rapture, 
will be left behind to confront the evils of the tribulation 
period. A thousand two hundred and sixty; this period 
would answer to the first half of Daniel's "Seventieth 
week." (Dan. 9:24-27); or it would be three and a half 
years. During this time, after the rapture, Satan will 
probably be too busy in organizing the world under one 
government, to persecute Christians with the greatest 
vigor. 

7-10 War in the heaven; Satan and his hosts strive to 
intercept, and scatter, the saints while in transit from the 
earth to meet Jesus. This calls forth Michael and his 
hosts, and they secure a safe passage to the saints, and 
thrust Satan and his aids down to the earth. Satan now 
proceeds to war against the woman; and, after three years 
and a half, he gets ready for his bloody work. (eh. 13:1-7). 

11 And they overcame Inm because of the blood of the 
Lamb, and because of their testimony; the vicarious suffer- 
ing of Christ was the great fact that overcame Satan, ju- 
dicially ; and the experience and testimony of believers 
give'them personal victory over Satan. 

12 Knowing that he has but a little time; after the rap- 
ture and the casting of Satan down to the earth, the evil 
one knows that his time is brief ; hence, he makes the most 
of his opportunity. 



REVELATION 



13 And, when the dragon saw that he 
was cast down to the earth, he persecuted ^ 
the woman who brought forth the man- 
child. 14 And there were given to the 
woman the two wings of the great eagle, 
that she might fly into the wilderness, into 
her place, where she is nourished for a 
time, and times, and half a time, from the 
face of the serpent. 15 And the serpent 
cast out of his mouth, after the woman, 
water as a river, that he might cause her 



2 Or, pursued. 



to be borne away by the river. 16 And the 
earth helped the woman; and the earth 
opened her mouth, and drank down the 
river which the dragon cast out of his 
mouth. 17 And the dragon was angry 
with the woman, and went away to make 
war with the rest of her seed, who keep 
the commandments of God, and have the 
testimony of Jesus; 18 and he stood* up- 
on the sand of the sea. 



Some Mss. read, I stood, and connect it with v. 1 of 
ch. 13. 



14 She is nourished for a time, times, and half a tim^; a 
time is 360 days; times 2 x 360=730 days; and lialf a time 
-=H of 360=180 days ; all together=1260 days, (v. 6). 

15 The serpent cast out of his mouth, water; indicating 
his wrath, and desire to destroy the woman. 

16 The earth helped the woman; showing God's provi- 
dential protection of her. 



17 Went away to make war with the rest of her seed; this 
is brought out in the next chapter (v. 7). which shows how 
successful he was in executing his wicked purpose. 

N. B.—ln the application of the year-day principle in 
Daniel's prophecy, we have to deal with the same period of 
time, as noted in V. 14 above; but this longer date seems 
to have been already about fulfilled, and now it remains 
that it be fulfilled on the day-day principle. 



CHAPTER XIII. 

1 And I saw a beast ^ coming up out of 
the sea, having ten horns and seven heads, 
and on his horns ten diadems, and upon 
his heads names of blasphemy. 2 And 
the beast which I saw was like a leopard, 
and his feet as of a bear, and his mouth as 
the mouth of a lion; and the dragon gave 
him his power, and his throne, and great 
authority; 3 and I soAn one of his heads, 
as if smitten* to death. And his death- 
stroke was healed; and all the earth won- 
dered after the beast. 4 And they wor- 
shiped the dragon, because he gave his 
authority to the beast; and they worshiped 
the beast, sa.ying, "Who is like the beast, 
and who is able to make war with him?" 



5 And there was given to him a mouth 
speaking great things and blasphemies; 
and authorit.y was given him to work 
forty-two months. 6 And he opened his 
mouth for blasphemies against God, to 
blaspheme His name, and His Tabernacle, 
even those dwelling in Heaven. 7 And it 
was given him to make war with the 
saints, and to overcome them; and there 
was given him authority over every tribe, 
and people, and tongue, and nation. 8 
And all who dwell on the earth will wor- 
ship him, whose names have not been 
written in the Book of Life of the Lamb 
slain from -the founding of a world. 9 If 
anyone has an ear, let him hear. 10 If 
anyone is for captivity,^ into captivity he 
goes; if anyone shall kill, with a sword. 



Or, wild beast. 2 Gr. Slain. 



3 Or, leads into captivity. 



NOTES ON CHAPTER XIII. 

1 A beast; the symbol of a cruel, murderous man, the 
leader, under Satan, of the mighty hosts that destroy the 
saints, and desolate the earth, during the great tribulation. 
That the beast is a man, and not a system, or an army, 
may be seen from ch. 19;19. 20; 20:10; where the beast 
and false prophet are captured, and are dealt with as indi- 
viduals, apart from their armies. In the year-day proph- 
ecy of Daniel, we have, as it appears, the prototype of this 
destructive agent, (Dan. 7:24, 25). The ten horns and 
seven heads probably refer to the political powers that 
support the beast. 

2 Leopard . . . bear . . . lion; symbolic of the savage 
cruelty of this destructive person and his mighty army, 
The dragon, gave him his power; this beast appears to be 
Satan's figure-head; a man endued with Satan's power 
knowledge, and wisdom. 

3 Wondered after the beast; followed him with wonder 
and admiration, as seen in the following verses. Thi s per 
son. as being the visible bead of Satan's organized oppo- 



sition to Christ and His followers, will exhibit great 
knowledge, tact, and great personal magnetism, attracting" 
multitudes and even nations to himself. 

5. 6 Speakino great things and blasphemies: Dan. 7:25; 
II Thess. 2:3-10. Forty-two months; same as 1260 days 
(ch. 11:3). or "Time, times, and half a time." (ch. 12:14). 
These dates, used in a year-day sense, apply with much 
force to the papacy or Mohammedanism, during a period 
of 1260 years, when they persecuted and destroyed millions 
of God's saints; but much more literally we may expect a 
day-day fulfillment of this prophecy during the last 42 
months of the tribulation. 

7. 8 The woman, who had been protected during the 
first 1260 days of the tribulation, is given up to death dur- 
ing the last 1260 days, or 42 months, of the tribulation. The 
universality of the beast's dominion is here plainly de- 
clared. 

10 This verse seems to mean that the desolatmg leader 
(the beast) and his armies have soon to face the same sad- 
conditions that they have forced upon others. 



384 



REVELATION 



with a sword he must be killed. Here is 
the patience and the faith of the saints. 

11 And I saw another beast coming up 
out of the earth; and he had two horns 
like a lamb, and he was speaking as a 
dragon. 12 And he exercises all the au- 
thority of the first beast in his sight. And 
he makes the earth and those dwelling 
therein, to worship the first beast, whose 
death-stroke was healed. 13 And he does 
great signs, that he should even make fire 
to come down out of the heaven to the 
earth, in the sight of men. 14 And he de- 
ceives those who dwell on the earth by 
reason of the signs which it was given him 
to do in the sight of the beast; saying to 
those dwelling on the earth, that they 
should make an image to the beast, who 



has the stroke of the sword, and lived. 
15 And it was given to him to give spirit* 
to the image of the beast, that the image of 
the beast should both speak, and cause that 
as many as worship not the image of the 
beast should be killed. 16 And he causes 
all, the small and the great, and the rich 
and the poor, and the free and the bond, 
that there be given them a mark on their 
right hand, or on their forehead; 17 and 
that no one should be able to buy or sell, 
except he that has the mark, the name of 
the beast, or the number of his naiAe. 

18 Here is wisdom. He that has under- 
standing, let him count the number of the 
beast; for it is a number of a man; and 
his number is six hundred and sixty -six. 



4 Or. breath. 



11 Another beast; probably some "ecclesiastical satel- 
lite " -who wiU act as aid to the beast. Like a lamb; pre- 
tending to be very meek and humble. 

12 Exercises all the power of the first beast; it was the 
power of Satan in either case, that found a pliable instru- 
ment in both the beast and the false prophet. 

li Does ffreat signs; performs great miracles, in bring- 
ing down fire from the heavens ; winning many to support 
his cause in this way, and intimidating his enemies by the 
same wonderful miracle. 

\i, 15 That they should make an image of the beast; the 
second beast has an image of the first beast made; and he 
gives spirit, or life, to the image, and causes it to speak. 
These are wonderful miracles, iind there is much need of 
the testimony of the two witnesses (ch. 11), to hold the 
Jews steady, or prevent them from following the beast 
fully. 

16, 17 A mark on their right hand, or on their forehead; 
this mark of the beast is probably to be branded upon the 
hands or upon the foreheads of all who give in their lot 
with the beast and false prophet. By this mark, which 
will consist either of "the name of the beast," or "the 
number of his name," his subjects will be readily distin- 
guished from others. ' No one is to buy or sell anything— 
i. e.. he can have no trade permit, unless he has the mark 



of the beast upon his right hand or forehead. All are to 
be exposed to death, at the will of the beast, unless they 
have this mark impressed upon them. This abominable 
image, with the cruel order enforcing tlie death of the un- 
yielding, may well be styled "the abomination of desola- 
tion." 

18 His number is six hundred and sixty-six; the numeri- 
cal value of the letters in his name will give the sum of 
666. The numerical value of many names is 666; and, to 
make no mistake, one should see that all the events asso- 
ciated with such a name have their fulfillment also. 

JSf. -B.— Many things go to prove that the Turks will soon 
have to let go their possessions; because, at the most 
their dominion is not likely to last beyond A. D. 1913; the 
gentile domination beginning in the year 604 B. C. , and 
having 2520 years to run (or "seven times"), would end 
in 1913 A. D. Then "' the beast," or personal Anti-Christ, 
may be expected to capture Jerusalem in the midst of the 
70th week of Daniel, and trample It under foot for 42 
months, thus giving the prophecy a day-day fulfillment— 
which is future as yet. We are living in one of the most 
momentous periods of the world's history, and large 
events may be expected to be crowded together during 
these closing years of the present dispensation. 



CHAPTER XIV. 

1 And I saw, and, behold, the Lamb, 
standing on the mount Zion, and with Him 
a hundred and forty-four thousand, having 
His name, and the name of His Father 
written on their foreheads. 

2 And I heard a voice out of Heaven, as 
a voice of many waters, and as a voice of 



great thunder; and the voice which I heard 
was as that of harpers, harping with their 
harps. 3 And they sing as it were a new 
song before the throne, and before the four 
living creatures and the elders; and no one 
was able to learn the song, except the 
hundred and forty -four thousand, who had 
been purchased out of the earth. 4 These 



NOTES ON CHAPTER XIV. 
1 This 144,000, according to the method of interpretation 
adopted, would be the same as the 144,000. brought to view 
in ch. 7:4; for if all from chs. 6 to 11 (inclusive), is only 
a prophecy of what is fulfilled from chs. 13 to 19 (inclusive) , 
there would be no room for a separate company in the ful- 
fillment that was not provided for in the prophecy itself. 
And yet the description given of the individuals making 



up this group classes them as a very high order, and would 
answer well to the full overcomers, who are to take part 
with .Jesus in the government of the earth, (ch. 3:21). 
Wntten on their foreheads: these had both the name of the 
Father and of the Son on their foreheads, in contrast with 
the worshipers of the beast, (ch. 13:16). 

3 A new 8ong: the song of redemption through the 
Lamb. 



KEVELATION 



385 



are those who were not defiled with women; 
for they are virgins. These are those who 
follow the Lamb whithersoever He goeth. 
These were redeemed from among men, a 
first fruit to God and to the Lamb. 5 And 
in their mouth was found no falsehood. 
They are without blemish. 

6 And I saw another angel flying in mid- 
heaven, having the eternal Gospel to pro- 
claim to those who dwell on the earth, and 
to every nation, and tribe, and tongue, and 
people; 7 saying with a great voice, "Fear 
God, and give glory to Him, because the 
hour of His judgment came; and worship 
Him Who made the heaven, and the earth, 
and the sea, and fountains of waters." 

8 And another, a second angel, followed, 
saying, "It fell, it fell, Babylon the Great, 
that has made all the nations drink of the 
wine of the wrath of her fornication! " 

9 And another angel, a third, followed 
them, saying with a great voice, "If any- 
one worsliips the beast and his image, and 
receives a mark on his forehead or on his 
hand, 10 he also shall drink of the wine 
of the wrath of God, which has been min- 
gled undiluted in the cup of His anger; 
and he shall be tormented with fire and 
brimstone in the presence of the holy an 
gels, and before the Lamb. 11 And the 
smoke of their torment ascends forever 
and ever; and they have no rest day and 
night, those who worship the beast and his 



image, and whosoever receives the mark 
of his name. 

12 Here is the patience of the saints, 
those who keep the commandments of God, 
and the faith of Jesus. 

13 And I heard a voice in Heaven, say- 
ing, "Happy are the dead who die in the 
Lord from henceforthl Yea," saith the 
Spirit, "that they may rest from their la- 
bors; for their works follow with them." 

14 And I saw, and, behold, a white 
cloud; and upon the cloud. One sitting, 
like the Son of Man, having on His head a 
golden crown; and, in His hand, a sharp 
sickle. 

15 And another angel came forth out of 
the Temple, crying with a great voice to 
Him Who was sitting upon the cloud. 

Send forth Thy sickle, and reap; because 
the hour to reap came, because the harvest 
of the earth was fully dried.^ 16 And He 
Who was sitting upon the cloud sent forth 
His sickle, and the earth was reaped. 

17 And another angel came forth out of 
the Temple which is in Heaven, himself 
also having a sharp sickle. 

18 And another angel came forth out 
from the altar, he that has authority over 
the fire; and he called with a great voice to 
him who had the sharp sickle, saying, 
"Send forth your sharp sickle, and gather 



1 Or, rwe,. 



4 JVot defiled with women; not guilty of spiritual adul 
tery. (uhs. 17:4, 5; 2:30-22). Of course, physical adulterers 
cannot be saved at all except througli repentance, and 
cleansing in the blood of Christ. 

5 They are without hlemish; -we are not to understand 
that these people, composing this group, never had sinned 
hut simply that they had been thoroughly cleansed, and 
that the life of Christ had been so developed in them as to 
lift them above all sin. In other words, it is not a natural 
goodness that is here referred to, but that which comes to 
those who fully accept Christ. 

6 This verse seems to indicate that, for a brief period at 
least, the Gospel will be proclaimed after the tribulation 



8 Babylon; Isa. 21:9. Ancient Babylon was the great 
toe to the religion of the Israelites during the Old Testa- 
ment times; and the same name is applied to the great 
persecuting power that opposes Christianity— which seems 
to point to Catholicism. It fell, it fell, Babylon the great; 
how true is it that this monster evil has made the nations 
drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication I Baby- 
lon is here represented as a harlot holding in her hand a 
wine-cup, and making the nations drink of it, (Jer. 25:15- 
28). The nations that have committed fornication with 
this mystic Babylon will share in the wrath of Almighty 
God. 

9. 10 Worship the beast and his image; ch. 13:14. The 
beast and the false prophet will seek to have the beast and 



his image worshiped; and God's wrath will be poured upon 
those who worship them. Tlie wine of the wrath of God; 
the effect of God's wrath is here, and elsewhere, compared 
to a wine-cup, which produces in those who drink it real- 
ing and madness. 

13 The patience of the saints; here the people of God 
will need great patience to resist the blandishments, wiles, 
and threats of the beast; but they should resist, even if it 
should cost them their lives. 

13 Happy are the dead, who die in the Lord; this was 
calculated to strengthen and embolden the saints to hold 
out against the beast; for death would not disturb their 
happiness. Dying for Jesus, and dying in Jesus, they" 
would enter at once upon the enjoyment of Christ in 
Heaven. (II Cor. 5:8). 

14-20 Here we have a double vision representing the ex- 
ecution of God's wrath upon the wicked. 

14 .4 w/iite cZoMd.' the symbol of Christ's presence. The 
one sitting on this cloud is Christ Himself. A shai-p sickle; 
denoting His readiness to execute consummate vengeance 
upon His enemies. 

15 The harvest of the earth was fully dried; indicating 
that the cup of their iniquity was now full, and the time of 
vengeance had come. 

17 Another angel came forth out of the Temple; ready to 
execute the divine purpose. 

18 Fire; a symbol of God's destructive wrath. 



386 



KEVELATION 



the clusters of the vine of the earth; be- 
cause her grapes were ripe." 19 And the 
angel thrust his sickle into the earth, and 
gathered the vine of the earth, and cast it 
into the great wine-press of the wrath of 



God. 20 And the wine-press was trodden 
outside of the city, and blood came forth 
out of the wine-press even to the bridles 
of the horses, as far as a thousand and six 
hundred furlongs. 



19 The Wine-press of the wrath of God; the treading of 
the grapes caused the grape-juice to flow out freely, ex- 
pressive of the flow of blood, when Christ shall tread upon 
His enemies. 

20 Outside of the etty; the great battle, in which the 
armies of the beast will be destroyed, will take place out- 



side of the city of Jerusalem. (Zech. 14:4. 5, 12-15; Rev. 
19:11-21). Even to thelbridles of the lun'ses; indicating the 
greatness of the slaughter. A tlwusand six hundred fur- 
longs; or about 200 miles; extending about all the length, 
of Palestine. 



CHAPTER XV. 

1 And I saw another sign in Heaven, 
great and marvelous, seven angels having 
seven plagues, the last, because in them 
was finished the wrath of Grod. 

2 And I saw as it were a glassy sea min- 
gled with fire; and those who were victori- 
ous over the beast, and over his image, and 
over the number of his name, standing by 
the glassy sea, having harps of God. 3 
And they sang the song of Moses, the ser- 
vant of God, and the song of the Lamb, 
saying, "Great and marvelous are Thy 
works, O Lord God, the Almighty; right- 
eous and true are Thy ways. Thou King of 
the ages.^ 4 Who will not fear, O Lord, 
and glorify Thy name? because Thou only 



art holy; because all the nations shall come, 
and worship before Thee; because Thy 
righteous acts were made manifest." 

5 And after these things I saw, and the 
Temple of the Tabernacle of the testimony 
in Heaven was opened; 6 and there came 
out of the Temple the seven angels that 
had the seven plagues, clothed with linen ^ 
pure and white, and girded about the 
breasts with golden girdles. 7 And one 
of the four living creatures gave to the 
seven angels seven golden bowls, full of 
the wrath of God, who liveth forever and 
ever. 8 And the temple was filled with 
smoke from the glory of God, and from 
His power. And no one was able to enter 
into the temple, until the seven plagues of 
the seven angels should be finished. 



Some Mss. have nations. 



2 Some Mss. give a stone. 



NOTES ON CHAPTER XV. 

1 Seven plagues, the last; we cannot surely tell whether 
these plagues are a more detailed account of the woes that 
preceded them, or whether they are separate from them, 
and follow them in order of time; but, at any rate, these 
plagues complete the earthly woes that come upon the 
enemies of Christ. 

2 A glassy sea mingled with fire; a transparent pavement 
clear as crystal, with fiery colors intermixed, (ch. 4:6). 
And those who were victorious over the beast; here we have 
another vision of the redeemed in Heaven. 

3 The song of Moses . . . and of the Lamb ; praising God, 
for the deliverance of His people from Egyptian bondage 
through Moses, and the deliverance of His people from sin 
through Christ, and for His victories over all His foes. 



5 The Temple of the Tabernacle of the testimony; the 
anti-type of "the Holy of Holies," or the dwelling place 
of God in Heaven. 

6 Came out of the Temple; as commissioned and sent by 
God. 

7 One of the four living creatures; as representing the 
agencies that are to execute the wrath of God upon His 
enemies. 

8 Smoke; the symbol of God's presence, as a holy and 
jealous God. Who is now ready to execute vengeance on 
the wicked, (I Kings 8:10; Isa. 6:4). No one was able to 
enter; because of the smoke. (Ex. 40:34, 35). 

N. 5.— The reader should observe that these seven last 
plagues are a symbol of the closing up of the tribulation 
woes, but. chronologically, they do not end till ch. 19:19-21. 



CHAPTEE XVI. 

1 And I heard a great voice out of the 
Temple, saying to the seven angels, ''Go, 
and pour out the seven bowls of the wrath 
of God into the earth." 

2 And the first went, and poured out his 
bowl into the earth; and there came a bane- 
ful and painful sore upon the men who had 



the mark of the beast, and who worshiped 
his image. 

3 And the second poured out his bowl 
into the sea; and it became blood, as of a 
dead man; and every living soul ^ died, the 
things in the sea. 



Gr. Every soul of life. 



NOTES ON CHAPTER XVI. 

1 Out of the Temple; coming from God's dwelling place. 

Pour out the bowls of the. wrath of Ood; chronologically, 

these seven plagues are to be referred to the time of the 

seventh trumpet. Into the earth; upon the earth. 



2 This plague brings sore calamities upon the worship- 
ers of the beast. 

3 Upon the sea; the oceans and seas are visited with 
wrath, as well as the earth; and people on the sea are made 

share the wrath of God. 



EEVELATION 



387 



4 And the third poured out his bowl 
into the rivers and fountains of waters; 
and it became blood. 5 And 1 heard 
the angel of the waters, saying, "Right- 
eous art Thou, Who art, and Who wast, 
the Holy One, because Thou didst thus'^ 
judge; 6 because they poured out the 
blood of saints and of prophets, and Thou 
hast given them blood to drink: they are 
worthy!" 

7 And I heard another out of the altar,^ 
saying, "Yea, O Lord God, the Almighty, 
true and righteous are Thy judgments." 

8 And the fourth poured out his bowl 
upon the sun; and it was given to it* to 
scorch the men with fire. 9 And the men 
were scorched with great heat; and they 
blasphemed the name of God, Who hath 
the power over these plagues; and they 
repented not, to give Him glory. 

10 And the fifth poured out his bowl 
upon the throne of the beast; and his king- 
dom became darkened; and they were 
gnawing their tongues because of the pain; 
11 and they blasphemed the God of Heaven 
because of their pains and their sores; and 
they repented not of their works. 

12 And the sixth poured out his bowl 
upon the great river, the Euphrates; and 
its water was dried up, that the way of the 
kings who come from the rising of the sun 
might be prepared. 13- And I saw coming 
out of the mouth of the dragon, and out 



2 Gr. these things. 3 Most Mss. read, I heard the altar. 
4 Or, him. 



of the mouth of the beast, and out of the 
mouth of the false prophet, three unclean 
spirits like frogs; 14 for they are spirits 
of demons, working signs; which go forth 
unto** the kings of the whole inhabited 
earth, to gather them together to the war 
of the great day of God, the Almighty. 

15 " Behold, I come as a thief! Happy is 
he that is watching, and keeping his gar- 
ments; that he walk not naked, and they 
see his shame." 

16 And they gathered them into the 
place which is called in Hebrew Harma- 
geddon. 

17 And the seventh poured out his bowl 
into the air; and there came forth a great 
voice out of the Temple, from the throne, 
saying, "It has come to pass!" 18 And 
there were lightnings and voices and thun- 
ders; and there was an earthquake, a 
great one, such as was not since there were 
men on the earth, so mighty an earthquake, 
so great. 19 And the great city was di- 
vided into three parts; and the cities of 
the nations fell; and Babylon the great 
was remembered before God, to give to 
her the cup of the wine of the fierceness 
of His wrath. 20 And every island fled 
away, and the mountains were not found. 
21 And great hail, as of a talent's weight, 
comes down out of the heaven upon the 
men; and the men blasphemed God be- 
cause of the plague of the hail; because 
the plague thereof is exceedingly great! 



5 Or, upon. 



4 Rivers and fountains; these become blood, so that 
God's enemies have blood to drink, instead of water. 

5 The angel of the waters ; the angel who had charge of 
the waters. 

6 They are worthy ; they deserve their awful punish- 
ments. 

8 Upon the sun; this seems to indicate that the natural 
heat of the sun will be so increased, as to become almost 
unendurable. 

9 Repented not; judgments of themselves do not lead 
men to repentance. 

10 Upo7i the throne of the beast; reaching the very center 
of his influence, and bringing him and his advisers great 
torture. 

13 The Euphrates; see note on oh. 9:13-21. 

13 Like frogs; filthy, loathsome, unclean things. De- 
mons, we doubt not, are now training the forces that are 
to unite under the beast, and form the vast armies that are 
to desolate the earth, and then be destroyed in the battle 
of Harmageddon. The dragon; the Devil. The heast; ch. 
13:1. 7^e false prophet; or second beast, (ch. 13:11). These 
latter, who were men devil-possessed, are to be instru- 
ments of Satan in the execution of his plans. 

16 Harmageddon; this appears to be related to mount 
Megiddo; This was the place of two remarkable over- 
throws; viz., that of the kings who oppressed Israel 



(Judges 5:19), and that of Josiah and his army, (II. Chron. 
35:22-24). Hence. Harmageddon is a symbolic name denot- 
ing the place where the last battle, resulting in the utter 
overthrow of the enemy, and the capture of Satan (ch. 20: 
1-3), will take place, (ch. 19:11-21). 

17 Into the air; the purpose being to arouse this natural 
element to aid in the punishment of God's enemies. It has 
come to pass; so certain was he that the enemies of Christ 
would be utterly overthrown, that he declares in advance. 
"It has come to pass," or "It has been done." 

19 The great city; Babylon. The cities of the tuitions; 
the cities in league with Babylon, and all together repre- 
senting the chief centers of Satan's power. Great Baby- 
lon; ch. 17:5. 

20 Every island fled away . . . mcmntains were not found; 
indicating great physical changes in the earth, a type, like- 
wise, of the removal, also, of all of God's enemies. 

21 Great hail; indicating the crushing opposition of an- 
other one of God's natural agencies turned upon the wicked. 
As of a talent's weight; the Hebrew talent weighed more 
than 100 lbs ; and the Attic talent was equal to about 57 lbs. 

N. B.—li is probable that all these plagues, set forth in 
these seven symbols, were added to perfect the conception 
of the punishment brought to view at the opening of most 
of the seals, and the blowing of the seven trumpets. 



REVELATION 



CHAPTER XVII. 

1 And there came one of the seven 
angels who had the seven bowls, and spak 
with me, saying, " Come hither! I will 
show you the judgment of the great har 
lot, that sits on many waters; 2 with 
whom the kings of the earth committed 
fornication, and those who dwell in the 
earth were made drunken with the wine 
of her fornication." 

3 And he carried me away in the Spirit 
into the wilderness. And I saw a woman 
sitting upon a scarlet-colored beast, full of 
the names of blasphemy, having seven 
heads and ten horns. 4 And the woman 
was clothed in purple and scarlet, and was 
gilded with gold and precious stones and 
pearls, having in her hand a golden cup, 
full of abominations, even the impurities 
of her fornication, and upon her forehead 
a name written, "MYSTERY, BABY 
LON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF 
THE HARLOTS AND OF THE ABOM 
INATIONS OF THE EARTH." 

6 And I saw the woman drunken with 
the blood of the saints, and with the blood 
of the martyrs^ of Jesus. And, seeing 
her, I wondered with great wonder. 7 
And the angel said to me, ''Why did you 
wonder? I will tell you the mystery of 
the woman, and of the beast that carries 
her, which has the seven heads and the 
ten horns. 8 The beast which you saw 
was, and is not, and is about to come up 



out of the abyss, and to go^ into perdi- 
tion. And those who dwell on the earth 
shall wonder, whose names have not been 
written in'' the book of life from iJA^ found- 
ing of the world, when they behold the 
beast, because he was, and is not, and 
shall come. 9 Here is the mind that has 
wisdom. The seven heads are seven moun- 
tains, on which the woman sits. 10 And 
there are seven kings; the five fell, and the 
one is, the other did not yet come. And, 
vyhen he comes, he must remain a little 
time. 11 And the beast that was, and is 
not, even he is an eighth, and is of the 
seven, and goes into perdition. 

12 And the ten horns which you saw 
are ten kings, who, indeed, received no 
kingdom as yet; but they receive author- 
ity as kings, one hour with the beast. 13 
These have one mind, and they give their 
power and authority to the' beast. 14 
These will make war with the Lamb, and 
the Lamb will overcome them; because 
He is Lord of lords, and King of kings; 
and those with Him are called and chosen 
and faithful." 

15 And he says to me, "The waters 
which you saw, where the harlot sits, are 
peoples, and multitudes, and nations, and 
tongues. 16 And the ten horns which 
you saw, and the beast, these will hate the 
harlot, and will make her desolate and 
naked, and will eat her flesh, and burn her 
with fire. 17 For God gave it into their 



1 Or, witnesses. 



2 Some Mss. read, he goes. 3 Gr. On. 



NOTES ON CHAPTER XVII. 
\ The great harlot: the great persecuting power. This 
probably refers to Catholicism in league with the beast of 
ch. 13:1. In the year-day Interpretation of this mystery. 
we see the union of the Romish church and the civil 
power— which union resulted in the slaughter of many of 
the saints of God. In the day-day interpretation— which 
seems to be .necessary in the interpretation of this 
portion of Revelation— the beast appears as the visible 
head of Satan's forces, and this woman is, probably, the 
apostate Romish church, lifted to temporary power under 
the beast. 

2 Committed fornication; the kings of the earth were, 
many of them, subject to Romanism for many years, and 
committed fornication with this power. Drunken with the 
wine of her fornication; alluding to the wine-oup with 
which harlots debauch their foolish votaries. 

3 A woman sitting upon a scarlet-coloredbeast; see note 
above. This interpretation requires a reorganization of 
the ten kingdoms. 

i Purple . . . scarlet . . . gold . . . pearls; indicating 
her great wealth. 

5 Babylon the Great, etc. ; her name seems to contain 
the interpretation, or explanation of the "mystery.'' 



6 Drunken with the blood of the saints; this, as a tribu- 
lation picture, indicates that many of the saints were 
slaughtered. / wondered: at the great corruption and 
shameless wickedness of the woman. 

8 About to come up out of the abyss; the beast seems 
to have been raised up from the dead. 

9 ffath wisdo?n; to understand the meaning of this de- 
scription. Seven mountains: on which Rome was built: 
thus identifying Rome as the seat of the great enemy of 
Jesus Christ.. 

10. 11 The beast seems to be a resuscitated head of the 
revived Roman government, which is to figure again, for a 
brief period, under the leadership of the Devil. 

12 The ten horns . . . are ten kings; these are to receive 
brief power under the beast, under the revived ten heads, 
or governments. 

3 These confederated kings fight under the beast, and 
venture to make war with Christ and His hosts, with fatal 
results to themselves, (ch. 19:19-21). 

16-18 Will hate the harlot . . . burn her with fire; after 
the beast has used Catholicism, or Catholics, for a time 
during the tribulation, he and his confederated kings will 
utterly wipe out this monster evil. 



REVELATION 



3S9 



hearts to do His will, even to execute one 
purpose, and to give their kingdom to the 
beast, until the words of God shall be ac- 



complished. 18 And the woman whom 
you saw is the great city which has a 
kingdom over the kings of the earth. 



CHAPTER XVIII. 

1 After these things I saw another an- 
gel coming down out of Heaven, having 
great authority; and the earth was illum- 
ined with his glory. 2 And he cried with 
a mighty voice, saying, "Babylon the 
great fell, fell, and became a habitation 
of demons, and a hold of every unclean 
spirit, and a hold of every unclean and 
hateful bird; 3 because, in consequence 
of the wine of the wrath of her fornica- 
tion, have all the nations fallen; and the 
kings of the earth committed fornication 
with her, and the merchants of the earth 
became rich by the power of her luxury." 

4 And I heard another voice out of 
Heaven saying, "Come forth out of her, 
my people, that ye have no fellowship 
with her sins, and that ye receive not of 
her plagues; 5 because her sins were 
joined together even to Heaven, and God 
remembered her iniquities. 6 Render to 
her, as she also rendered; and double the 
double according to her works; in the cup 
which she mixed, mix ye to her double. 

7 As much as she glorified herself, and 
lived luxuriously, so much torment and 
mourning give her; because she says in 
her heart, 'I sit a queen, and am not a 
widow, and shall in nowise see mourning.' 

8 Therefore, in one day shall come her 



plagues, death and mourning and famine; 
and she shall be burned up with fire; be- 
cause strong is the Lord God who judged 
her. 

9 "And the kings of the earth who com- 
mitted fornication and lived luxuriously 
with her, shall weep and wail over her, 
when they behold the smoke of her burn- 
ing ; 10 standing afar off for the fear of 
her torment, saying, 'Woe, woe, the great 
city, Babylon, the strong city! because in 
one hour your judgment came!' 

11 "And the merchants of the earth weep 
and mourn over her; because no one buys 
their merchandise^ any more; 12 mer- 
chandise of gold, and of silver, and of 
precious stone, and of pearls, and of fine 
linen, and of purple, and of silk, and of ■ 
scarlet, and of every kind of fragrant* 
wood, and every vessel of ivory, and every 
vessel of most precious wood, and of brass, 
and of iron, and of marble, 13 and cin- 
namon, and spice, and incense, and oint- 
ment, and frankincense, and wine, and oil, 
and fine flour, and wheat, and cattle, and 
sheep, and of horses, and of chariots, and 
of slaves,^ and souls of men. 14 And your 
fruit of your soul's coveting departed from 
you, and all dainty things and sumptuous 
things perished from you, and in nowise 



1 Gr. Carao. 2 Gr, Bodies. 



NOTES ON CHAPTER XVIII. 

This chapter gives a vision of the fall of mystic Baby- 
lon, which is not fully realized till we reach the close of 
ch. 20:3; when, after the capture of the heast and false 
prophet and the destruction of their armies (Rev. 19:19-21) 
Satan, the author of all the sin in the world, is imprisoned 
in the abyss for a thousand years. 

\ Another angel; who comes to herald the fall of Babylon 

2 Habitation of demons .... hateful bird: this means 
that, as ancient Babylon was destroyed and became the 
abode of wild beasts, doleful creatures, and dragons, 
mystic Babylon shall become desolate, except as inhabited 
by demons, foul spirits, etc. 

iV. B.— Some think that there is to be a new Babylon 
built near the site of the ancient Babylon, and that it 
to become the principal commercial city of the eastern 
hemisphere; and this seems the more probable, since the 
city of Rome has little importance as a commercial center. 

3 Have all the nations fallen; Babylon is represented as 
a rich and luxurious harlot, enriching the nations by their 
commerce with her; while, through her corruptions, they 
have all come to destruction, (compare Isa. 47). 

4 Come out of her, my people; have no' fellowship with 
her, but separate yourselves from her. Some of God's 



people will linger in the domain of mystic Babylon, till 
just before her overthrow; and the warning voice of God 
to them is, "Come out of her. ' ' This may have some appli- 
cation to the Laodicean churches of our day. that will not 
tolerate the doctrines of the full Gospel. In fact, it has 
always been the duty of true Christians to separate them- 
selves from incurable corruption and error wherever 
found, (compare Jer. 51:6, 45). 

5 Her sins were joined together even, unto Heaven; they 
are so numerous that, piled or tied together, they extend 
eve'n to Heaven, (Jer. 51:29). 

6 Render to her. as she also rendered; compare Ps. 137:8; 
Jer. 50:15, 29; Isa. 47:8, 9. 

8 Burned up with nre; expressive of the complete de- 
struction of this mystic city. 

9-19 The articles of merchandise in which Babylon is 
represented as trafflcing with the nations, and the lamen- 
tation of the kings over her fall, resemble the overthrow 
of Tyrus, (Ezek. chs. 26 and 27). 

10 ^Yoe, woe. the great city; indicating the deep inter- 
ests which the votaries of wealth, fashion, and pleasure, 
had in her continuance ; and their despair at her destruo- 



390 



REVELATION 



shall they find them any more. 15 The 
merchants of these things, who became 
rich by her, shall stand afar off because of 
the fear of her torment, weeping and 
mourning, 16 saying, 'Woe, woe, the 
great city, which was attired in fine linen, 
and purple, and scarlet, and was gilded 
with gold, and precious stone, and pearl; 
17 because in one hour so great wealth was 
made desolate! And every ship-master, 
and every one sailing to any place, and 
mariners, and as many as do business^ at 
sea, stood afar off; 18 and they cried out, 
when beholding the smoke of her burning, 
saying, ' What city is like the great city?' 
19 And they cast dust on their heads, and 
cried, weeping and mourning, saying, 
'Woe, woe, the great city, wherein all who 
have ships in the sea became rich by reason 
of her costliness! because in one hour she 
was made desolate. 20 Re joice over her, O 



3 Or, gain a living. 



Heavep, and ye saints, and ye apostles, and 
ye prophets; because God judged your 
judgment on her." 

21 And a strong angel took up a stone, 
as it were a great millstone, and cast it into 
the sea, saying, "Thus with violence shall 
Babylon, the great city, be cast down, and 
in nowise be found any more! 22 And 
tfie voice of harpers and musicians, and 
flute-players and trumpeters shall in no- 
wise be heard in you any more. And no 
craftsman of whatever craft shall in any 
wise be found in you any more; and no 
sound of a millstone shall ever be heard in 
you any more; 23 and the light of a lamp 
shall in nowise shine in you any more; and 
the voice of bridegroom and of bride shall 
be heard in you no more; because your 
merchants were the princes of the earth; 
because by your sorcery were all the nations 
deceived. 24 And in her was found the 
blood of prophets, and of saints, and of all 
who have been slain on the earth. 



20 Sejoice over her; all the good on earth, and the in- 
habitants of Heaven, will rejoice at the overthrow of God's 
enemies. God judged your judgment on her; meaning that 
God completely avenged all the wrongs that had been done 
to His people, and brought condign punishment on their 
persecutors. 

21 TooTcup a stone . . . cast it into the sea; another pic- 
ture of Babylon's complete and sudden overthrow. (Jer. 
51:63,64). 



22 The sound of a millstone; Jer. 35:10. The people in 
the East, many of them now, grind their meal daily with 
hand-mills. The cessation of the sound of these mills 
would indicate utter desolation. 

23, 24 Sv your sorceries were all the nations deceived; 
Babylon, as here used, seems to sum up all the systems and 
agencies whereby the nations in all past ages have been 
deceived, and by which the saints of God have been slain. 
It is blessed to know that this great power will be utterly 
destroyed: and may the day speedily cornel 



CHAPTER XIX. 

1 After these things I heard as it were 
a great voice of a great multitude in 
Heaven, saying, "Hallelujah! the salva- 
tion, and the glory, and the power, are our 
God's; 2 because true and righteous are 
His judgments; because He judged the 
great harlot; who, indeed, corrupted the 
earth with her f ornicatitDn, and He avenged 
the blood of His people at her hand." 

3 And a second time they say, ' ' Halle- 
lujah!" And her smoke ascends forever 
and ever. 4 And the twenty-four elders 
and the four living creatures fell down, and 



worshiped God, Who sitteth on the throne, 
saying, "Amen! Hallelujah!" 

5 And a voice came forth from the 
throne, saying, "Give praise to our God, 
all ye His servants, ye who fear Him, the 
small and the great." 6 And I heard as it 
were the voice of a great multitude, and as 
the voice of many waters, and as the voice 
of mighty thunders, saying, "Hallelu- 
jah! because the Lord our God, the Al- 
mighty, became King! 7 Let us rejoice, 
and exult, and give the glor.y to Him; be- 
cause the marriage of the Lamb came, and 
His wife made herself ready." 



NOTES ON CHAPTER XIX. 

John hears the heavenly hosts rejoicing over the down- 
fall of Babylon; and yet her downfall was not complete 
till the battle, recorded in vs. 19-21, and ch. 20:1-3, was 
fought. After this battle and the binding of Satan, the 
blissful Millennial reign of Christ begins. 

1 Ballelujah : this expression in Hebrew means, " Praise 
ye the Lord!" 

3 Forever and ever; literally, "into the ages of the 
ages "; a phrase expressive of the longest duration known 
to the Greek language. Those who hope to escape from 



the torment that continues into the ages of the ages," 
cannot base any hope upon this expression. 
4 Amen! Hallelujah; let it be so— Praise ye the Lord. 

6 Became King; this is said in anticipation of the battle 
now to be fought, and the sure result; and from that date 
Jesus is to be King of the earth. 

7 The marriage of the Lamb; as all the redeemed are not 
yet assembled, this marriage of the Lamb may relate only 
to that portion of the saved, who had yielded their lives 
to Him, and had been developed into His image; or, in 
other words, the overcomers, who belong to the ruling 
force in the Millennial reign, (ch. 3:21). It may also in- 
clude " the wise virgins," (Matt. •<i5:4; Ps. 45:14, 15> 



REVELATION 



391 



8 And it was given to her that she should 
clothe herself in fine linen, bright, pure 
for the fine linen is the righteous acts of 
the saints. 9 And he says to me, "Write, 
Happy a/re those who have been called to 
the marriage supper of the Lamb." And 
he says to me, "These are the true words 
of God." 

10 And I fell down before his feet to 
worship him. And he says to me, "See 
that you do it not: I am a fellow-servant 
of you and of your brethren who hold the 
testimony of Jesus; worship God: for the 
testimony of Jesus is the spirit of proph- 
ecy." 

11 And I saw Heaven opened; and, be- 
hold, a white horse, and He Who sat on 
him, called^ Faithful and True; and in 
righteousnesss doth He judge and make 
war. 12 And His eyes are as a flame of 
fire; and on His head are many diadems; 
having a name written which no one 
knows but Himself; 13 and He is clothed 
with a garment sprinkled'^ with blood; and 
His name is called "THE WORD OF 
GOD." 14 And the armies in Heaven were 
following Him on white horses, clothed in 
fine linen, white, pure. 



15 And out of His mouth proceeds a 
sharp two-edged sword, that with it He 
may smite the nations, and He will govern^ 
them with a rod of iron; and He treadeth 
the wine-press of the fierceness of the 
wrath of God, the Almighty. 16 And He 
hath on His garment, and on His thigh, a 
name written, "KING OF KINGS, AND 
LORD OF LORDS." 

17 And I saw one angel standing in the 
sun; and he cried with a great voice say- 
ing to all the birds that fly in mid-heaven, 
' Come, gather yourselves together to the 
great supper of God; 18 that ye may eat 
the flesh of kings, and the flesh of captains 
of thousands, and flesh of mighty men, and 
the flesh of horses and of those sitting on 
them, and the flesh of all, both of free and 
bond, and of small and great." 

19 And I saw the beast, and the kings 
of the earth, and their armies, gathered 
together to make war with Him Who was 
sitting on the horse, and with His army. 
20 And the beast was seized, and with him 
the false prophet that wrought the signs 
in his presence, with which he deceived 
those who received the mark of the beast. 



Some Mss. omit called. 2 Some Mss. read, dipped. 



3 Gr. 



8 The fine linen is the righteous acts of the saints; the 
Tighteous deeds of Spirit-filled Christians seem to form a 
sort of garment by which they are to he distinguished. 
Those who build on the Christ-life with indestructible ma- 
terial, or works performed in the power of the Holy Spirit, 
will have an enduring structure, while those who build 
with carnal works will have all but the foundation de- 
stroyed, and they will suHer loss, (I Cor. 3:14, 15). 

9 Happy are those who have been called to the marriagt 
supper of the Lamh; most marriages, besides the bride- 
groom and the bride, have attendants or honored guests 
(See again Ps. 45:14, 15>; the king's daughter (Ps. 45:10, 
11, 14, 1.5) being regarded as the bride. 

10 See that you do it not; no man, angel, or any created 
being, is to be worshiped. A fellow-servant of you and of 
your brethren; this angel was one of the ministering angels 
whose business it was. in part at least, to minister to the 
saints of God, (Heb. 1:14). The testimony of Jesus is the 
.spirit of prophecy; the great end of the spirit of prophecy 
is to bear witness concerning Jesus; and both John and 
the angel were endued with this spirit of testimony con- 
cerning Jesus; hence they were, in this respect, fellow- 
servants, and should not think of worshiping one another. 

n Heaven opened; indicating that further communica- 
tions were yet to be made. The conflict, described in the 
remnant of this chapter, is identical with that described ir 
ch. 16:14, 1& Faithfuland True; this is Jesus Christ, (ch 
3:14). He doth judge and make war; Isa. 11:3, 4. 

12 Having a name . . . which no one knew but Himself, 
if this was not "THE WORD OF GOD " (v. 13), we have 
no means of knowing what it was. 



13 Clothed with a garment sprinkled with blood; com- 
pare Isa. 63:1-3. This blood probably refers to the blood 
He had shed for the redemption of His people, whose en- 
emies He is now about to punish with a signal overthrow. 
Or it may refer to blood spattered upon Him in battle, 
prophetic of the battle soon to be fought. 

14 The armies in Heaven; the multitudes of His re- 
deemed followers, and- possibly also some of the angels. 
(Matt. 24:31; 13:41). 

1 5 He treadeth the wine-press o f the fierceness of the, wraOb 
of God: expressive of the great slaughter of His enemies, 
when their blood should flow freely. 

16 King of kings, and Lord of lords; indicating His uni- 
versal dominion. 

17 The great supper of Ood; the supper, or feast, that 
God was preparing for them; representing the vast 
slaughter of His enemies, on whose flesh the fowls of the 
heaven were invited to feed, (compare Ezek. 39:17-20). 

19 The beast; the same as the beast in ch. 13:1. The 
kings of the earth; confederated under the beast, and sub- 
servient to his will. These vast armies, led on by Satan, 
venture to fight against Christ and His army. This heasfc 
is the same as "the man of sin"— "the son of perdition." 
who exalts himself above all that is called God, or that is 
worshiped, (II Thess. 2:3. 4). This is also the Anti-Christ, 
who will deny the Father and the Son, (I John 2:22; 4:3; 
II John 7). 

20 The false prophet; the same as the second beast, (ch. 
13:11). These beasts were both captured, and cast alive 
into the lake of fire ; showing that they were men, and not 
systems. 



REVELATION 



and who worshiped his image. The two 
were cast alive into the lake of fire that 
burns with brimstone. 

21 And the rest were killed with the 



sword of Him Who was sitting on the 
horse, the sword that went forth out of 
His mouth; and all the birds were filled 
with their flesh. 



21 The, rest; the armies of v. 19. 

This is the last battle, except one in ch. 20:9, 10, of -which 
we have any account, as occurring on earth; and we have 



many reasons for helieving that this battle in this chapter 
will be fought before many years shallelapse; though, of 
course, no one but God knows just when that will be. 



CHAPTER XX. 

1 And I saw an angel coming down out 
of Heaven, having the key of the abyss, 
and a great chain upon his hand. 2 And 
he seized the dragon, the old serpent, which 
is the Devil and Satan, and bound him for 
a thousand years, 3 and cast him into the 
abyss, and shut it, and sealed it over him, 
that he should deceive the nations no more, 
until the thousand years should be finished; 
after these things he must be loosed for a 
little time. 

4 And I saw thrones, and they sat upon 
them; and judgment was given to them; 
and I saw the souls of those who had been 
beheaded because of the testimony of Jesus, 
and because of the word of God; and such 
as worshiped not the beast, neither-his im- 
age, and received not the mark upon their 
forehead and upon their hand; and they 
lived, and reigned with Christ a thousand 
years. 5 The rest of the dead lived not 
until the thousand years should be finished. 
This is the first resurrection. 6 Happy 
and Holy is he who has part in the first 



resurrection ; over these the second death 
has no authority; but they shall be priests 
of God and of Christ, and shall reign with 
Him a thousand years. 

7 And, when the thousand years are 
finished, Satan will be loosed out of his 
prison, 8 and will come forth to deceive 
the nations that are in the four corners of 
the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them 
together to the war, the number of whom 
is as the sand of the sea. 9 And they went 
up over the breadth of the earth, and sur- 
rounded the camp of the saints and the be- 
loved city; and fire came down out of 
the heaven, and devoured them. 10 And 
the Devil who deceived them was cast into 
the lake of fire and brimstone, where also 
the beast and the false prophet were cast; 
and they shall be tormented, day and night, 
forever and ever. 

11 And I saw a great white throne, and 
Him Who was sitting thereon, from Whose 
face the earth and the heaven fled away; 
and no place was found for them. 12 And 
I saw the dead, the great and the small, 
standing before the throne; and books 



NOTES ON CHAPTER XX. 

1-3 Alter the beast and false prophet are captured and 
oast into the lake of fire, and their vast armies are de- 
stroyed, Satan, the commander of them all, is captured, 
and cast into the abyss, where he is forced to remain one 
thousand years. In this state of confinement, he is unable 
to deceive the human family; but, after his release, he de- 
ceives multitudes of them, and leads them to ruin. 

4 Thrones, and they sat on them; indicating the great 
honor to be bestowed upon those who are fit for the posi- 
tion, (oh. 3:21). The souls of those who had heen 'beheaded; 
the context shows that these are tribulation martyrs. 
These have part in the Millennial reign. 

5 The rest of the dead; those who had not already been 
raised at the rapture, or at some time subsequent to the 
rapture; certainly including the wicked dead. 

6 The first resurrection; this includes all who are ready 
to meet the Bridegroom. It seems possible, if not prob- 
able, that many Christians who were not ready to meet the 
Bridegroom, and had never cut themselves loose from the 
world, will not be raised until the white throne judgment, 
(vs. 11-15) ; the proof of this is not decisive, since believers 
who die during the Millennial reign may appear at that 
judgment, (v. 12). The word Millennium signifies a period 
of a thousand years. 



7 Loosed out of his prison; is permitted to ascend out of 
the abyss. When set at liberty, he goes to work at once 
to deceive men, and lead them to rebel against Christ. 

8, 9 Gog and Magog; see Ezek. chs. 38, 39. Gog is called 
"the chief prince of Meshech and Tubal," and Magog ap- 
pears to be the land over which he reigned. He dwells in 
the north part— probably in the region covered by Russia, 
and he comes with a vast horde to aid in the insurrection 
against Christ. And fire came down out of the heaven, and 
devoured them; this vast army is miraculously destroyed 
by fire. May this not be the same as the prophecy of Peter, 
in his second epistle, 3:10, when "the earth also and the 
works that are therein shall be burned up? " From this 
great fire " the new heavens and the new earth," we sup- 
pose, will emerge. 

10 They shall he tormented, day and night, forever and 
ever; the beast and false prophet have been in the lake of 
fire and brimstone for a thousand years and "a little 
time"; and now these two men and Satan enter upon a 
period. of suffering that appears to have no end, 

U The earth and the heaven fled away; expressive of the 
infinite dignity and majesty of Jesus Christ, when He 
comes to the final judgment of the human race; the rap- 
tured saints having been judged during the tribulation, 
and before the Savior's decent to earth with His saints. 



REVELATION 



393 



were opened; and another book was opened, 
which is tlie hook of life; and the dead were 
judged out of the things that were written 
in the boolis, according to their works. 13 
And the sea gave up the dead that were in 
it, and Death and Hades gave up the dead 



that were in them; and they were judged, 
every one, according to their works. 14 
And Death and Hades were cast into the 
lake of fire. This is the second death, even 
the lake of fire. 15 And, if anyone was 
not found written in the book of life, he 
was cast into the lake of fire. 



12 The books were opened; all the evil thoughts, words, 
and acts, of the wicked will come up before them in the 
judgment. Another hook; this book indicates the presence 
of some Christians at this judgment; and these may be 
the Millennial Christians, or the careless, unconsecrated 
Christians who were not ready for the rapture, or it may 
be both. 

13. Death and Hades; the grave (as containing the bod- 
ies), and Hades (the abode of their spirits), yielded, up 
their dead, that they may appear at the judgment. 



14 Death and Hades were caH into the lake of fire; here 
Death and Hades are personified as the enemies of Christ; 
and, as such, are cast into the lake of fire and brimstone. 

15 Lake of fire; the abode of the wicked. In vain will 
we search for any Scripture that reverses this final judg- 
ment of God. The thought of dwelling, ceaselessly, in a 
lake of fire is unspeakably horrid; but God's word seems 
clearly to teach it; and those who accept the Bible as His 
word should not rebel at this teaching. God alone knows 
the infinite magnitude of the guilt of sin; and He alone 
knows what punishment is due to it. 



CHAPTER XXI. 

1 And I saw a new heaven and a new 
earth; for the first heaven and the first 
earth passed awa.y, and the sea is no more. 
2 And I saw the holy city. New Jerusalem, 
coming down out of heaven from God, 
made ready as a bride adorned for her 
husband. 3 And I heard a great voice out 
of the throne, saying, ' 'Behold, the taber- 
nacle of God is with men, and He will 
dwell with them, and the.y will be His peo- 
ples, and God Himself will be with them, 
as their God.' 4 And He will wipe away 
every tear from their e.yes. And death 
shall be no more; neither mourning, nor 
crying, nor pain, shall be an,y more; be- 
cause '^ the first things passed away." 

5 And He Who sits upon the throne 
said, "Behold, I make all things new." 



Some Mss. omit their God. 2 Some Mss. omit be- 



And He saith to me, ' ' Write ; because these 
words are true and faithful." 

6 And He said to me, "It' has come to 
pass. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the 
Beginning and the End. I will give to him 
that thirsted of the fountain of the water 
of life freely. 7 He that overcomes shall 
inherit these things; and I will be to him 
a God, and He will be to Me a son. 8 
But, for the fearful, and unbelieving, and 
abominable, and murderers, and fornica- 
tors, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all 
the liars, their part shall he in the lake that 
burns with fire and brimstone; which is 
the second death." 

9 And there came one of the seven an- 
gels who had the seven bowls that were 
full of the seven last plagues, and spake 
with me, saying, " Come hither; I will 
show you the bride, the wife of the Lamb." 



3 Or, they have come to pass. 



NOTES ON CHAPTER XXI. 

This chapter gives us a glowing and thrilling description 
of the new heaven and new earth, and especially of the 
New Jerusalem, the abode of the ble'ssed. This is another 
dispensation that follows the final, or white throne, judg- 
ment, (Rev. 20:11-15). 

1 Anew heaven and anew earth; Isa. 65:17-19; IIPet.3:13. 
This shows a wonderful improvement in the environments 
of the saints. The sea is no more; this language seems to 
be literal; and, if it is, the vast expanse of waters that now 
covers so much of the earth's surface will be dried up— to 
make room, likely, for the teaming billions that are to in- 
habit it. 

2 The holy city, the New Jerusalem; this magnificent 
structure is the abode of the Almighty, and the headquar- 
ters of the redeemed, (v. 3). 

4 God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; this verse 
affords great comfort to God's persecuted, tempted, and 
suffering people, as it declares that these things shall an- 
noy them no more. 



6 ,ff« saitZ; Christ is the speaker. It has come to pass; it, 
has been accomplished; the great work of man's redemp- 
tion is an accomplished fact. The righteous are gathered 
into the New Jerusalem, nd the wicked into the lake of 
fire. John in liis vision had passed on to the end, and now 
looks back upon all things relating to man"s destiny as 
fully accomplished. / am the Alpha a?id the Omega; see 
note on ch. 1 :8. Of the fountain of the water of life; see ch. 
22:1.2; John 4:14; 7:38. 

7 lie that overcomes; all his enemies; the world, the 
flesh, and the Devil ; and gets the full life of Christ devel- 
oped in him. (Eph. 4:13). Shall inherit these things; shall 
inherit a place in the New Jerusalem With right to the 
water of life and all else pertaining to that glorified state. 

8 The fearful; those who fear men; and. to avoid their 
opposition, did not follow Christ. The second death; eter- 
nal separation from God and happiness, with all the hor- 
rors that belong to existence in the lake of fire, (ch. 20:10, 
15; Matt. 25:41, 46). 

9 The seven bowls; ch. 15:7. The bride; the glorified 
saints, or "Assembly of the first born," (Heb, 12:23). 



394 



REVELATION 



10 And he carried me away in the Spirit 
to a great and high mountain, and showed 
me the city, the holy Jerusalem, coming 
down out of the heaven from God, 11 
having the glory of God; her radiance* 
teas like a stone most precious, as a jasper 
stone clear as crystal; 12 having a wall 
great and high; having twelve gates, and 
at the gates twelve angels, and names in- 
scribed, which are the names of the twelve 
tribes of the sons of Israel; 13 on the 
east were three gates, and on the north 
three gates, and on the south three gates, 
and on the west three gates; 14 and the 
wall of the city, having twelve foundations; 
and on them, twelve names of the twelve 
apostles of the Lamb. 

15 And he who was talking with me had 
as a measure a golden reed, that he might 
measure the city, and its gate, and its wall. 
16 And the city lies four-square, and its 
length is as great as the breadth. And he 
measured the city with the reed, twelve 
thousand furlongs; and the length and the 
breadth and the height are 'equal. 

17 And he measured its wall a hundred 
and forty-four cubits, a man's measure, 
that is, an angel's. 

19 And the material of its wall was jas- 



4 Or, luminary. 



per; and the city was pure gold, like pure 
ss. 19 The foundations of the wall of 
the city were adorned with every manner 
of precious stone. The first foundation 
was jasper; the second, sapphire; the third, 
chalcedony; the fourth, emerald; 20 the 
fifth, sardonyx; the sixth, sardius; the 
seventh, chrysolite; the eighth, beryl; the 
ninth, topaz; the tenth, chrysoprasus; the 
eleventh, hyacinth; the twelfth, amethyst. 

21 And the twelve gates were twelve 
pearls; each one of the gates, severally, 
was of one pearl; and the street of the city 
was pure gold, as transparent glass. 

22 And I saw no temple in it; for the 
Lord God, the Almighty, and the Lamb, 
are the temple thereof. 23 And the city 
has no need of the sun, nor of the moon, 
to shine upon it; for the glory of God il- 
luminated it, and its lamp is the Lamb. 
24 And the nations will walk by its light; 
and the kings of the earth bring their glory 
into it. 25 And its gates shall in nowise 
be shut by day (for there will be no night 
there); 26 and they will bring the glory 
and the honor of the nations into it. 27 
And there shall in nowise enter into it any 
thing unclean, or he that works abomina- 
tion and a lie; but only those written in the 
Lamb's book of life. 



10 A great and high mountain; from which he could get 
a clear view of the city descending out of the heavens 
man. 

12 Twelve gates: twelve is a number that has much to 
4o with God's people. The twelve tribes of the Old. and 
the twelve apostles of the New Testament, the twelve 
thousand sealed of each tribe (ch. 7), the twelve times 
twelve times one thousand on Mount Zion (ch. 14) ; the 
twelve foundations of the New Jerusalem— these are in- 
stances of the use of the number. 

13 On the east three gates . . . on the west three gales. 
.showing the perfect symmetry of the city. 

14 Twelve foundations . . . twelve apostles; as there is 
one gate to each of the twelve tribes, so there is one foun 
.dation to each of the twelve apostles, (Eph. 2:20). 

16 Four-square: the square is a figure of completeness 
and perfection. Twelve thousand furlongs: 1,500 Roman 
miles. This city, or "House of many abiding places,' 
<Johnl4:2), is 1,500 miles in length, breadth, and height 
and this would give 3.375,000.000 cubic miles; which, allow 
ing half the contents for streets and avenues, would supply 
more than nine quadrillions of rooms thirty feet long, thirty 
feet wide, and thirty feet high. Here will be room to ac- 
commodate a vast multitude of the redeemed I How limit- 
less the value of the blood of Christ, and how measureless 
the value of the Gospel of Christ, seeing that it cleanses 
and elevates, to these mansions of glory, such vast num- 
bers of sinners, who, on their own merit, would have had 
iheir eternal abodes in the lake of flrel 



17 Se measured its wall; the wall of the city, which 
seems to have been separate from the city. It was twelve 
times twelve cubits high, or from two hundred and six- 
teen to two hundred and forty feet in height, according to 
the different estimates for the length of a cubit. 

18-21 Jasper. . . gold. . . every manner of precious stone; 
this shows the beauty, splendor, and glory of the city. 

22 No temple; no particular place will be needed for the 
saints to assemble, but every place will be luminous with 
the divine presence and glory, being filled with the pres- 
ence of God and the Lamb, 

23 No needofthe sun; the presence of God and the Lamb 
makes perfect day, (ch. 22:5). 

24-26 Walk by it slight: the light of this God-illuminated 
city will be all the light that is needed. All portions of the 
redeemed creation will contribute their part to the glory 
and bliss of Heaven. 

27 But only those written in the Lamb's book of life: 
there is a perfect record kept of all the saved; and their 
names are written in the Lamb's book of life. They have, 
each, been purchased by. and cleansed with. His precious 
blood. 

In view of the endless and boundless bliss and glory of 
an abode in this Blessed City, why should Christians worry 
themselves about the trifles of this world? Beyond food 
and raiment, what more do we need? 

N. B. — If, after all of God's expenditures of Divine Re- 
sources to purchase salvation for man, any one deliberately 
decides that he will not accept Jesus Christ as his Savior, 
who can calculate the extent of his self-inflicted calamity! 



REVELATION 



395 



CHAPTER XXII. 

1 And he showed me a river of water 
of life, bright as crystal, issuing forth out 
of the throne of God and of the Lamb. 
2 In the midst of its street, and on either 
side of the river, was a tree of life, pro- 
ducing twelve fruits, yielding its fruit 
every month; and the leaves of the tree 
are for the healing of the nations. 3 And 
there shall be no more curse. And the 
throne of God and of the Lamb will be in 
it; and His servants will serve Him; 4 
and they will see His face, and His name 
shall he on their foreheads. 

5 And there will be no night there ;^ 
and they need no lamp-light, nor light of 
the sun; because the Lord God will illum- 
inate them, and they shall reign forever 
and ever. 

6 And he said to me, ' ' These words are 
faithful and true; and the Lord, the God 
of the spirits of the prophets, sent His 
angel to show to His servants the things 
which must shortly come to pass. 7 And, 
behold, I come quickly! Happy is he that 
keeps the words of the prophecy of this 
book." 

8 And I, John, ami he who heard and 
saw these things. And, when I heard and 
saw, I fell down to worship before the 



feet of the angel who showed me these 
things. 9 And he says, ''^Q^thatyoiodo 
it not. I am a fellow-servant with you 
and with your brethren the prophets, and 
with those who keep the words of this book . 
worship God." 

10 And he says to me, "Seal not up the 
words of the prophecy of this book; for 
the time is at hand. 11 He that is un- 
righteous, let him do unrighteousness still; 
and he that is filthy, let him be made 
filthy still; and he that is righteous, let 
him do righteousness still; and he that is 
holy, let him be made holy still. 

12 "Behold, I come quickly; and My 
reward^ is with Me, to render to each one 
according as his work is. 13 I am the 
Alpha and the Omega, the First and the 
Last, the Beginning and the End. 14 
Happy are those who wash their robes, 
that they may have the right ^ to the tree of 
Ufe, and may enter by the gates into the 
city. 15 Without are the dogs and the 
sorcerers, and the fornicators, and the 
murderers and the idolaters, and every one 
loving and acting a lie. 

16 "I, Jesus, sent My angel to testify 
to you these things to the assemblies. I 
am the root and offspring of David, the 
Bright and Morning Star. 



Some Mss. give night no more. 



Or. wages. 3 Or, authority over. 



NOTES ON CHAPTER XXII. 

1 A riwr of water of life; very much like the river it 
Ezek. 47:1-12. Out of the throne of God, and of the Lamb, 
Indicating that all these infinite and eternal blessings come 
from God and Christ. 

2 Twelve fruits: that is, twelve harvests each year; rep- 
resenting the constant and abundant blessings that an 
provided for those who enter that blissful abode. The 
leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations: indicat- 
ing that there will be perfect health in that blissful clime, 

4 Will see, His face: it seems uncertain whose face it is 
that is here referred to. whether that of the Son or of the 
Father. But it is pleasing to believe that we will see both 
When all sin and its consequences are removed, and the 
Christ-life in God's people is unalloyed with evil of any 
kind, it seems that those, particularly, who have put on 
the life of Christ, will be able to see the Father as Jesus 
does. 

5 No night . . . tieed no lamp-light, nor light of the sun; 
Decause God, Who is light, will disperse all darkness from 
His abode, and will shed His light upon His people. 

6 These words: what he had declared to John, and what 
John had written for the instruction of all believers that 
should live up to the close of the dispensation. 

7 I come quickly: this is not to be copf ounded with the 
coming of Christ to dwell in the heart of the fully sur- 
rendered believer ; nor yet, his coming to the believer at 
death; but it is His coming to close up this dispensation ; 
lor, though ohs. 21 and 23 disclose visions that follow the 



Millennium, yet from v. 6 of this chapter, the narrative 
connects back to the former part of the prophecy. 

I fell down to worship: the dignity and glory of the 
angel made the apostle disposed to worship him; but here, 
as elsewhere, the angel refuses all divine worship; as also 
all good men do, (Acts 10:25). The uncreated God. the 
Author of all existence, is the only One for His creatures 
to worship. 

10 Seal not up the words of the prophecy: but publish 
them for the present benefit of all God's people. 

11. 12. He that is unrighteous, let him do unrighteousness 
still: as much as to say, if after all these solemn admoni- 
tions and warnings, anyone will still persevere in his evil 
ways, let him do so ; there is no remedy for him. But let the 
righteous perseverve in well-doing; for the day of reward, 
as well as of vengeance, will soon come, and every one 
shall receive according to his doings. 

14 May enter iy the gates; anyone of the twelve gates, 
as he may have need. Into the city; the New Jerusalem, 
the home of the saints. 

15 Dogs, sorcerers, etc.; different classes of sinners, 
none of whom have any place in the city. This seems to 
precede the White Throne judgment; since, as the result 
of that judgment, all the wicked are to be cast into the 
lake of fire, (ch. 20:15). 

16 The root and the offspring of David: In His divine na- 
ture Christ was the Creator and Source of David's being; 
and, as to His humanity. He was David's offspring. Com- 
pare Matt. 22:42-45. Others think that "the root and ofl- 



396 



REVELATION 



17 "And the Spirit and the bride say, 
'Come' ; and let him that hears say, 'Come '; 
and let him that thirsts say, 'Come'; he 
that will let him take the water of life 
freely. 

18 " I testify to every one who hears 
the words of the prophecy of this book, if 
anyone shall add to them, God will add to 
him the plagues that are written in this 



book; 19 and, if anyone shall take away 
from the words of the book of this proph- 
ecy, God will take away his part from the 
tree of life, and out of the holy city, even 
fromihe things written in this book." 

10 He Who testifieth these things saith, 
"Yea; I come quickly." Amen; come» 
Lord Jesus! 

21 The grace of the Lord Jesus be with 
the saints. Amen. 



spring of David, " simply means that Jesus was the true 
progeny of David according to the Scriptures, (Isa. 11:1). 
3%« Morning Star; as the morning star ushers in the day, 
so Jesus Christ is to bring in eternal day. 

17 The bride; true Christians, or those who are Spirit- 
filled. Cume; come to Christ, and receive the blessings 
accompanying eternal life. (Matt. 11:28-30). 

18 If anyone, shflXl add to these things ; to the words of 
this prophecy. And. no doubt, the same principle applies 
to every other inspired book, making up the Bible. It is 



a dreadful thing to make such addition ; and equally dread- 
ful to take any thing away from it. Those who have either 
added to, or taken from, God's word, will meet a dreadful 
doom in consequence of their rashness. 

20 He Who testifieth; meaning Christ. I come Quickly; 
to call each one to give an account of his stewardship, and 
to reward or punish each according to his works. 

21 The grcwe of the Lord Jesus be with ynu; the apostle's 
prayer lor every one for whom he wrote the book of Reve- 
lation. 



APPENDIX A 

TABLES OF MEASURE AND MONEY. 



LONG MEASURE. 

ft. inch, 

A digit, or finger 0.912 

4 digits=l palm 3.648 

3 palms=l span 10.944 

2 spans=l cubit 1 9. 

4 cubits=l fathom 7 3.552 

1.5 fathoms=l reed 10 11.328 

13.3 reeds=l line (Bzek., 11: 3).... 145 11.04 

Note: Nothing in this table but the fathom 
is used in the New Testament Scriptures. 

LAND MEASURES. 

Eng. miles, paces, ft 

A cubit 1.824 

400 cubits=l furlong 145 4'.6 

5 furlongs^a Sabbath day's 

journey 729 3. 

10 furlongs=l Eastern mile. 1 403 1. 
24 Eastern miles=a day's jour- 
ney 33 172 4. 

Note: A pace about five. feet. In the New 

Testament Scriptures we find furlong (Luke 

24:13), and a Sabbath day's journey (John 
11:18; Acts 1:12). 

DRY MEASURE 

(Reduced to English corn measure). 

bu. pk. pt. 

1 gachal 0.1416 

20 gachals=l cab 2.833 

1.8 cabs^l omer 5.1 

3.3 omers=l seah (Matt. 

13:33) 1 1. 

3 seahs=l ephah 3 3. 

5 ephahs=l letech 4 

2 letechs=l kor, or homer. . 8 

LIQUID MEASURE 

(Reduced to English wine measure). 

Gal. Pts. 

A caph 0.625 

1.3 caphs=l log 0.833 

4 logs=l cab 3.33; 

3 cabs=l hin 1 2. 

2 hins^l seah 2 4. 

3 seahs^l bath, ephah, or firkin . . 7 4.5 
10 ephahs=l kor, or homer 75 5.25 



JEWISH MONEY 

(Reduced to English and American). 

£ s d $ cts. 

A gerah= 1,368 02.5 

10 gerahs=l be- 

kah 1 1.687 25. 

2 b e k a h s=l 
shekel 2 3.375 50.187 

50 shekel s^l 
maneh 5 14 0.75 27 37.5 

60 maneh s=l 
kikkar, or tal- 
ent 342 3 9 1,642 .50. 

A gold shekel . . 1 16 6 8 .76. 

A kikkar, or tal- 
ent of gold.. 5,475 26,280 .00. 

Note: In this calculation the American dol- 
lar is estimated at 4s and 2d. If estimated at 
5 shillings to the dollar, the gold talent would 
be worth $24,300. 



ROMAN MONEY MENTIONED IN THE NEW 
TESTAMENT 

(Reduced to English and American values). 

£ s d Far. $ cts. 

00.343 



A mite (lep- 

ton) 0.75 

1 farthing 

(assarion) 1.5 (about) 00.687 
1 denary (denarion) or penny, from 7 to 8%d; 

.1375 to .17 cts. 
A pound (mina) about £3, 2s., 6d., from $13.75 

to $16. 

Note: The denary (or penny) varied very 
much in value at different times. 



DIVISIONS OF THE DAY. 

The natural day, reckoned from sunrise to 
sunset, was divided into twelve hours, (John 
11:9). The civil day was measured from sun- 
set to sunset. The night, by the later Jews, 
was divided into four watches; the first from 
6:00 to 9:00 p. m., the second from 9:00 to 
midnight, the third, called cock crowing, three 
hours from midnight, and the fourth, or morn- 
ing watch, thence till sunrise. 



APPENDIX B 

HOW TO USE THE BIBLE. 



[Be sure that you have a saving knowledge 
of Christ yourself, and that, through the Holy 
Spirit as your Teacher, you have come to know 
Christ as your indwelling Savior, (John 
14:17-20; Eph. 3:16, 17)]. 

1. If you are dealing with a bold sinner, tell 
him what God saith about the awful doom of 
the impenitent, (Gal. 6:7, 8; Psa. 9:17; Matt. 
25:46; Rev. 20:15). 

2. If you are dealing with a self-righteous 
man, read the following Scriptures to him; 
that, under the Holy Spirit, may serve to con- 
vict him of sin, (Rom. 3:23; 1 John 1:8; Jer. 
17:9; Eccle. 7:20; Isa. 64:6; Eph. 4:18; Matt. 
15:19; Isa. 1:6). 

3. If you find a penitent sinner, point him to 
Jesus Christ as the One who died to save 
him (Acts 16:31; 19:10; John 4:10; 7:37; 
Matt. 11:28-30; John 3:16, 36; Rom. 5:1), and 
urge him to accept Him by faith. 

4. If it becomes your privilege to deal with 
a professed Christian who is not assured of his 
salvation, show him from the Word the char- 
acteristics of a saved person; as, for example, 
that the true believer is dead to sin, (Rom. 
6:2; 7:4); hates it, and loves purity and holi- 
ness; loves the brethren, (1 John 3:14); loves 
the Savior, and desires to please Him, (Heb. 
11:5, 6); and ought to have the witness of 
the Spirit bearing witness with his spirit that 
he is a child of God, (Rom. 8:16). 

5. If you find a backslider, point him to 1 
John 1:9; show him that the Savior is even 
now interceding for him (1 John 2:1); and 
that the Father is ready to forgive and cleanse 
him as soon as he repents, confesses his sins 
and believes. 

6. If you meet a Christian who is hungering 
and thirsting after righteousness, show him 
how, by consecration, prayer and faith, he may 



have the well of living water opened up 
within, (John 4:14; Lu. 11:13; John 14:15-17). 

7. If you meet a believer who is deeply sigh- 
ing for heart-union with Jesus, read to him 
Rev. 3:20; John 14:15-21, and tell him that, 
after he has complied with all other conditions, 
he must then accept His incoming and in- 
dwelling by faith, (Eph. 3:17); and that, if he 
desires His manifested presence, he must per- 
sistently obey, (John 14:21). 

8. If it falls to your lot to deal with those 
desiring a holy character, show them how this 
may be realized through a life of unreserved 
heart-union with Christ enthroned within, 
through whose power working through the 
Holy Spirit, he will he enabled to "put off the 
old man" (Eph. 4:22), and "put on the new 
man" (v. 24), which is the holiness God wishes 
us to have; holiness of character being the 
life of Christ reproduced in us by the mighty 
inworking of the Holy Trinity. 

9. If you find a sick Christian, who desires 
to be healed, point him to James 5:14, 15, and 
other kindred Scriptures that show God's pro- 
vision for the body. 

10. If it falls to your lot to teach one who is 
desiring complete victory on all lines, and to 
get God's best, show him that, as a believer 
in Christ, he must give himself wholly to the 
Lord, learn to live the Spirit-filled life; to make 
Christ the King of his heart; live the crucified 
life (Gal. 2:20; 2 Cor. 4:10, 11), until he is 
conformed to the death of Christ, (Phil. 3:10); 
and thus have every element in his nature 
that is opposed to God entirely removed from 
him, so that he may be habitually "filled unto 
all the fulness of God," (Eph. 3:19). This sort 
of life, perpetuated to its close, will lead one 
to grow up into Christ in all things, (Eph. 
4:15), and reach the measure of the statur* 
of His fulness, (v. 13). 



APPENDIX C 



OUTLINE OF THE FAITH OF A TRUE AS 
SEMBLY OF GOD. 



We believe the Scriptures of the Old and 

New Testaments to be the Word of God, and 
the only, but an all-sufficient, rule of faith and 
practice, (2 Tim. 3:10; 2 Pet. 1:21; John 17:17; 
Psa. 119:105). 

Now, because we believe this, we believe: 
1. That there is only one true and living God, re- 
vealed to us in the Scriptures under the tri- 
personality of the Father, and the Son, and the 
Holy Spirit, (Deut. 6:4; Matt. 28:19; John 
14:15-21, etc.); the Father being represented 
as the Supreme Ruler of the Universe; the 
Son as the God-Man, the Sin-bearer, (1 Pet. 
2:24; Isa. 53:5, 6), and the Savior of sinners; 
and the Holy Spirit, the Executive of God-head, 
as securing to penitent believers all that is 
provided for them in Christ, (John 16:8; 3:5, 
6, 8; 2 Cor. 3:18; Gal. 5:22, 23). 

2. We believe that man, though created up- 
right, did, by voluntary transgression (Gen. 
3:1-24), fall from his gracious state; and that, 
through his fall, all his descendants have been 
born with depraved natures (Rom. 5:12, 17:19; 
Psa. 51:5; Eph. 2:3; Eccle. 7:20; Rom. 3:23; 
1 John 1:8, etc., etc.), and have become actual 
sinners soon after reaching the years of ac- 
countability. 

3. We believe that Jesus Christ, the incar- 
nate Son of God (Isa. 9:6), and the Son of 
Mary (Matt. 1:18-25) — being thus the God-Man 
— did, in His two-fold character, make full 
atonement for sin by His vicarious sufferings 
and death in behalf of our race, (Isa. 53:4-10, 
12; 1 Pet. 2:24; 3;18; Gal. 3:13; John 10:11; 
Matt. 20:28; 1 Cor. 15:3; Rom. 4:25; 2 Cor. 
5:14, 21; Heb. 2:9; 9:26, etc.); and that, be- 
cause of His death in behalf of our race, ample 
provision is made for the salvation of all. 

4. We believe that every one who genuinely 
repents of his sins, and accepts Jesus Christ 
as his personal Savior, is pardoned, regener- 
ated, justified, and saved, (see Acts 3:19; 
17:30; 16:31; John 3:16, 36; 10:10, etc.). 



NOTES. 

(a) Repentance follows conviction for sin 
by the Holy Spirit (John 16:8), if one yields 
to the Spirit; and saving faith becomes pos- 
sible to those only who feel their lost condition 
and are willing to give up sin. "Conviction 
for sin, repentance, and faith," is the divine 
order. 

(b) In connection with true repentance and 
faith, the Holy Spirit imparts a new nature, 
or the Christ-life, or "eternal life;" thus mak- 
ing one a "babe in Christ" (1 Cor. 3:1), that 

for a time, "the sincere milk of the 



word, that he may grow thereby" (1 Pet. 2:2); 
this new life being the basal element of the 
character thereafter, possibly, to be evolved. 

(c) Justification, or that act of sovereign 
grace whereby the penitent believer is ac- 
counted righteous, is based entirely upon the 
righteousness of Jesus Christ, who bore his 
sins and put them away, and now becomes 
surety for him, (1 Cor. 1:30; Rom. 7:4; 10:4). 

5. We believe that it is the duty (where it 
is practicable) for every Spirit-born person to 
be immersed in water into the name of the 
Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, 
(Matt. 28:19); thus, in outward symbol, iden- 
tifying himself, by his own voluntary act, with, 
the crucified, buried, and risen Christ, (Rom. 
6:4; Col. 2:12). 

6. We believe that a true and orderly Gos- 
pel assembly is a company, congregation, or 
body, of Spirit-born, immersed believers, drawn 
together by the Holy Spirit; having the whole 
Bible (rightly divided) as their creed, the Holy 
Spirit as their Teacher and Revealer of the 
word, (John 14:26; 16:13, 14); and Christ as 
their Head, (Eph. 4:15); meeting together in 
the name of Christ for worship, for instructioa 
in the word, for the edification of the mem- 
bers, and for the observance of the Lord's 
Supper; having, as one of its main objects, 
the proclamation and dissemination of the 
Gospel throughout the whole earth. 

NOTES. 

(a) Every New Testament assembly is an, 
independent body" (under Christ), having fel- 
lowship with every other kindred assembly, 
but no organic union with any; having the 
inherent right, under the Holy Spirit, to send 
out its own missionaries, (Acts 13:2-4). 

(b) There is no such thing as an ecclesias- 
ticism or organized denomination of Chris- 
tians, known to the New Testament Scriptures, 
(see the New Testament everywhere). 

(c) Different assembles may co-operate, un- 
der the guidance of the Spirit, in furtherance 
of Christian work (see 2 Cor. 8:1-4; 1 Cor. 
16:1-3), but they dare not lose their own indi- 
viduality in any such co-operation. 

(d) A true Gospel assembly may hold its 
meetings in the home of one of its members, 
(see Rom. 16:5; 1 Cor. 16:19; Col. 4:15). 

(e) The proper designation of a company of 
believers, answering to the New Testament 
ideal, is "The assembly of God," or "The as- 
sembly of Christ," at such and such a place, 
(1 Cor. 1:2; 2 Cor. 1:2; Rom. 16:16). 

(f) The word assembly is sometimes used 
in its larger sense to denote all the saved, 
(Eph. 1:22; 5:23; Col. 1:24; Heo. 12:23); but 
this assembly does not hold its meetings on. 
earth. 



APPENDIX C 



(g) An assembly always implies individual 
members; and a real assembly must be com- 
posed of real members. Now, since all be- 
lievers, from the nature of the case, can not 
be members of the same local assembly, it 
would seem necessary that tnose who wish 
to be members of any particular assembly 
should make application for membership, and 
be received in some regular manner, and then 
act as members, and be considered as such; 
and, for convenience of the body, there should 
be a record of the names of the members. 

7. We believe that the recognized officers, 
or servants, of a local assembly are elders and 
deacons, (Phil. 1:1). 

NOTES. 

(a) The term "elder" includes bishops [over- 
seers or pastors] and evangelists; this last 
class having distinct recognition in Eph. 4:11; 
Acts 21:8; Tim. 4:5. 

(b) The apostolic assembles had both apos- 
tles and prophets, but it appears that one ele- 
ment in each of these offices ceased with the 
death of John: viz., in the former, writing by 
inspiration so as to add to the Word of God; 
and, in the latter, the foretelling of future 
events, so as to add to the volume of the in- 
spired prophetic Scriptures. God, however, 
still calls men and sends them forth to work 
for Him; and He may also give visions of 
coming events; but in neither case do we have 
the old-time apostles and prophets. Revela- 
tion being complete. Spirit-filled men are 
needed to preach and unfold the meaning of 
the word, to the end that Christians may 
see and appropriate all that is provided for 
them in Christ. 

(c) God calleth His servants — whom He will- 
eth — to the work of preaching the Gospel, 
(Matt. 10:1, 5-10; Lu. 10:1, 9); enduing them 
with power to do His work, (Lu. 24:49; Acts 
1:8; Gal. 1:16); the Holy Spirit appointing 
every pastor over every assembly, in which 
He hath full right of way, (Acts 20:28). 

(d) The special work of the pastor, or over 
seer, is to feed the lambs, or babes, of his 
flock, "on the sincere milk of the Word," (1 
Pet. 2:2); and the older members on meat, 
(Heb. 5:14); giving to each his portion of 
food in due season, (Lu. 12:42; see also John 
21:15-17). 

(e) Under God, the pastor has authority to 
rebuke, reprove, and admonish, (Tit. 2:15; 
Tim, 4:2); but yet in such a way as "not to 
lord it over God's heritage," (1 Pet. 5:13); not 
serving for filthy lucre, (v. 2). 

8. We believe that the Lord's Supper is an 
ordinance to be observed by a Gospel assembly, 
till He shall come, (Matt. 26:26-28; Mk. 14:22- 
24; Lu. 22:19, 20; 1 Cor. 11:23-26). 

NOTES. 

(a) The Supper is both a memorial of the 
Savior's death (1 Cor. 11:24), and a symbol 



of the food and drink on whioh the spiritual 
life is nourished, (John 6:48-58; 1 Cor. 11:29, 
30). 

(b) The elements should be withheld from 
certain characters, (see 1 Cor. 5:11; Rom. 
16:17; 2 Thess. 3:6, 14); this clearly implying 
the right and duty to purge an assembly from 
those who, by their walk, disgrace the name 
of Christ. 

9. We believe that every Spirit-born person 
should yield his whole being, with all he pos- 
sesses, to God, to be His forever, without con- 
dition, (see Matt. 16:24; Rom. 6:13, 19; 12:1. 
2; 2 Cor, 6:17, 18; 8:5, etc.). 

NOTES. 

(a) A failure to do this necessitates a fail- 
ure in one's Christian life, and in the develop- 
ment of a Christly character, as well as in 
his work for Christ. 

(b) Here we find the reason why the lives 
of the great majority of professed Christians 
are so unsatisfactory to themselves, and of 
so little value to the cause of Christ. 

10. We believe that the normal Christian is 
one that has yielded himself wholly to God, 
and is habitually filled with the Holy Spirit, 
(John 4:14; Lu. 11:13; Acts 6:3; Eph. 5:18, 
etc.); being taught by the Spirit (John 14:26), 
guided into all truth by the Spirit (16:13. 
14), and being led by the Spirit, (Rom. 8:14). 

11. We believe that it is the privilege of 
every consecrated believer to come to know 
that Christ is in him, (John 14:20); to have 
Christ manifest Himself to him, (v. 21) ; to 
enter upon the crucified life in union with 
Him, (Gal. 2:20; 2 Cor. 4:10, 11); to abide in 
Christ and have Christ abide in him, (John 
15:4, 5); to feed on Christ, the Living Bread. 
(6:56); and to have the Father and Son make 
their abode with him, (John 14:23; Eph. 3:16- 
19; 1 John 3) ; thus being filled, habitually, unto 
all the fulness of God. 

12. We believe that it is the duty of every 
Spirit-born person to have a holy character, 
and to live a holy life, (see 1 Pet. 1:16; Rom. 
6:19, 22; 2 Cor. 7:1; 1 Thess. 3:13; 5:23; Heb. 
12:10, 14, etc., etc.). 

NOTES. 

(a) A holy life-principle is given to the be- 
liever in regeneration, (John 3:5, 6); spoken 
of as "the inner man," (Rom. 7:22; Eph. 3:16); 
"the new man . . . that was created in 
righteousness and holiness of the truth," (Eph. 
4:22); giving one the title of "a babe in 
Christ," (1 Cor. 3:1). 

(b) This life must be strengthened by the 
Holy Spirit (Eph. 3:16), as a preparation for 
the incoming and enthronement of Christ in 
the heart, (v. 17) ; but this implies consecra- 
tion and the reception of the Holy Spirit. 

(c) With Christ enthroned in the heart, one 
enters upon the crucified life, (Gal. 2:20); and, 
if he will, he may live this sort of life, till 



APPENDIX 



5 



he is conformed to the death of Christ, (Phil. 
3:10); and this will make it possible for him to 
get the full resurrection life of Jesus built up in 
him, (2 Cor. 3:18; Eph. 4:13, 15, 24; Phil. 3:8 
[wherein he wins Christ], 14; 1 Pet. 5:10). 
This is God's highest ideal for His people; 
and he who gets it will have a holy, or Christly, 
character; and will be a full overcomer, (see 
Rev. 3:21; 21:7). 

(d) In building up such a character in the 
believer, each Person in the God-head hath a 
part to perform; the Son furnishing the model 
and material, so to speak; the Spirit being 
the Architect, (Gal. 5:22, 23; 2 Cor. 3:18); 
while the Father is the Pruner (John 15:2), 
and the Chastener, (Heb. 12:6-10). 

13. We believe that provision is made in the 
Gospel for the healing and health of the bodies 
of God's people. 

NOTES. 

(a) Healing is provided in the atonement of 
Christ, (see Isa. 53:4; Matt. 8:17; Gal. 3:13). 

(b) Four ways of getting healing: by prayer 
lor one's self, (John 14:13, 14); by agreement 
with another, (Matt. 18:19); by laying on of 
hands, (Mk. 16:18; Acts 9:17; 28:8); and by 
anointing and prayer, (Jas. 5:14, 15). 

(c) Healing is a part of the Gospel, as seen 
in the following facts: The "twelve" and the 
"seventy" had healing as a part of their work, 
(Lu. 9:1, 2; 10:1, 9); it is in the Lord's 
great commission, (Matt. 28:19, 20 [compare 
with Matt. 10:1], and Mk. 16:15-18); and the 
anointing ordinance fixes it as a part of the 
word. 

(d) It is only the normal, or Spirit-fllled, 
Christian that has any right to expect heal- 
ing. 

14. We believe in the pre-millennial coming 
of Christ; first into the mid-heavens for those 
who will be ready for the rapture, (1 Cor. 
15:51, 52; 1 Thess. 4:15-18; Matt. 25:10); and, 
later, with His saints, (Zech. 14:4; Jude 14). 

NOTES. 

(a) The beast and his army will be put out 
of the way when Christ returns to the earth 
with His saints, (Rev. 19:19-21;' see also Zech. 
14:12-15); and, after this, Satan is shut up 
in the abyss and the millennium is inaugur- 
ated, (Rev. 20:1-4). 

(b) "The great tribulation" comes between 
the rapture and the coming of Christ with His 
saints. 

15. We believe that there will be a resurrec- 
tion of all the dead, (John 5:29; Acts 24:15; 
Dan. 12:2; 1 Cor. 15:42-44). 

NOTES. 

(a) There will be a thousand years between 
the resurrection of the righteous and of the 
wicked, (Rev. 20:5). 

(b) Paul speaks of an ottt-resurrection, 
which probably has reference to a special res- 



urrection granted to those who make the high- 
est spiritual attainments, (Phil. 3:10, 11). 

16. We believe that marriage is an institu- 
tiott of divine appointment, (Gen. 2:24; Mark 
10:7, 8); that among the people of God mar- 
riage should be "only in the Lord" (1 Cor. 7:39; 
see also 2 Cor. 6:14, 15); and that adultery, or 
fornication, is the only Scripture ground for 
divorce, with the right to marry again, (see 
Matt. 19:9 [this is the only Scripture that tol- 
erates a second marriage on such condition]). 

Note: Separation may take place for other 
reasons, but neither of the parties is permitted 
to marry while the other is living. 

17. We believe that the first day of the week, 
or Sunday, is the proper day for the members 
of a Gospel assembly to meet together for 
public worship, and for the observance of the 
Lord's Supper, (Acts 20:7; 1 Cor. 16:2; Rev. 
1:10). 

Note: Christ arose on the first day of the 
week; also Pentecost occurred on the same 
day; and the Gentile Christians assembled for 
worship, under apostolic approval, on the first 
day. Hence this is the proper day for Chris- 
tians to observe. 

18. We believe that it should be the fixed 
purpose of every Spirit-born person to appro- 
priate, to the fullest possible extent, every pro- 
vision of the Gospel for spirit, soul and body; 
that every assembly of God should make it a 
matter of chief concern to embody, in the lives 
of her members, the full Gospel of Christ, 
omitting nothing, adding nothing; and that pas- 
tor, deacons, and all members, should seek, 
both as individuals, and as an assembly, to an- 
swer to God's highest ideals along these lines, 
both as to character-development and to work 
for Him, (see Phil. 3:7-14; Eph. 4:13, 15; Col. 
1:27, 29; Rev. 3:8-12). 

19. We believe that there will be a judgment 
of rewards for the raptured saints before 
Christ descends to the earth; that Christians 
who go into the tribulation, and all believers 
who died without preparation for the special 
resurrection will be judged, either during the 
millennium (when the judgment of the nations 
will take place, see Matt. 25:31-46); or after 
the millennium, when the wicked will be 
judged, (Rev. 20:12); and that a final separa- 
tion will take place, when the righteous enter 
the realms of glory (Rev. 21:23-27; 22:1-5), 
and the wicked will be cast into the lake of 
fire, (Rev. 20:15). 

GENERAL REMARKS. 

1. It is obvious to every normal Christian 
that the great mass of professed believers 
have little more than a name to live, while, 
practically, they seem to be almost dead; to all 
such the alarm should be sounded forth in 
thunder tones, "Awake, ye sleepers, and get 
ready for the great events that are soon to 
follow!" 

2. There are many local congregations of 
Christians that have some truth; but, for want 



6 



APPENDIX D 



of consecration, they are not filled with the 
Spirit, and hence they are living to very lit- 
tle purpose. If these will get right with God 
through repentance, confession and faith, and 
will become normal Christians, they may con- 
vert their "dead churches" into assemblies of 
God, and perform valuable service for Him 
in the closing years of this dispensation. 
3. Let it be tUe purpose of every Christian 



to do the best he possibly can in the way of 
becoming all that God wishes him to be, and 
to be at his best for God along all lines; and let 
it be his purpose also to elevate the "church" 
of which he is a member to the plane of a 
Scriptural assembly, that stands for, and truly 
represents, every doctrine, precept, and or- 
dinance pertaining to the Gospel of our Lord 
Jesus Christ, Amen, 



APPENDIX D 



A collection of the principal doctrines of the 
New Testament Scriptures, with other kindred 
texts, that serve to illustrate their meaning, are 
given in alphabetical order, and will be con- 
venient both for study and for Bible readings, 

A. 

Abide; dwell, remain, continue. Spoken of the 
Spirit, (John 14:16); spolten of Christ as abid 
ing in the believer and the believer in Christ, 
(John 15:4, 5); much fruit is the result of this 
mutual abiding, (same) ; this mutual abiding is 
essential to a bountiful partaking of the LiV' 
ing Bread, (John 6:5G); the crucified life a 
consequence of Christ's abiding in the believer, 
(Gal. 2:20; 2 Cor. 4:10, 11); the Father and 
the Son will make their abode with the persist- 
ently obedient child of God, (John 14:23; 
also 1 John 1:3, and Eph. 3:1G-19). Any true 
believer may be* thus indwelt by the Holy 
Trinity, if he will yield himself wholly to God 
in absolute obedience, (John 14:15, 21, 23). 

Abomination of desolation, (Matt. 24:15 
Mli. 13:14; Dan. 11:31; 12:11). Some think 
that this had its fulfilment when Antiochus 
Epipbanes offered swine's flesh as a sacrifice 
in the temple at Jerusalem; but it is believed 
that it will have its final and principal ful- 
filment in the last half of the great tribula- 
tion, when the Jews will be required to wor- 
ship the image of the beast, or forfeit the 
right to buy and sell, (see Rev. 13:14-17). 

Admonisli; caution, warn, advise, (see Matt. 
18:15; Lu. 17:3; Rom. 15:14; Eph. 5:11; 1 
Thess. 5:12-14; 2 Thess. 3:15). To admonish 
truly is to have the Spirit of Christ. 

Adoption; receiving one into a place he did 
not occupy before. The spirit of adoption. 
(Rom. 8:15); waiting for the adoption, or re- 
demption of the body, (v. 23) ; ye might receive 
the adoption of sons, (Gal. 4:5). See a descrip- 
tion of those who are adopted into the family 
of God in John 1:12, 13; 3:3, 5, 6. Paul seems 
to make a distinction between a babe in Christ 
and a son; the former is carnal, and the lat- 
ter is led habitually by the Spirit of God, (see, 



in order, 1 Cor. 3:1*3; Rom. 8:14). Romans 
7:15-24 seems to present the picture of a babe 
struggling for its rights; and Rom. 8 pictures 
a son or young man who has conquered Satan, 
(see 1 John 2:14). Great honors await the 
fully developed sons of God, (Rev. 3:21; 21:7). 

Adultery; illicit sexual intercourse. Forbid- 
den in Ex. 20:14; Levit. 20:10; Deut. 15:18; 
Mx.tt. 5:27, etc., etc. Adultery may be com- 
mitted in the heart without the act, (Matt. 
5:28). According to Matt. 5:32; Mk. 10:11, 12; 
Lu. 16:18; Rom. 7:4; 1 Cor. 7:10, 11, many 
men and women are living in manifest adul- 
tery. Fornication, or adultery, is the only rea- 
son to warrant the disruption of the nuptial 
tie, with any right to marry another, (see Matt. 
19:9). 

Advocate; attendant, counsellor, pleader. 
Jesus Christ is our Advocate with the Father, 
(1 John 2:1); and the Holy Spirit is the true 
believer's Advocate on earth, (John 14:16). 

Affection; love, or eager desire. Set your 
affections on things above, not on things on 
the earth, (Col. 3:2). God is the object of our 
supreme affection, (Matt. 10:37; 22:37; Lu. 
10:27). Carnal affections should be morti- 
(Rom. 8:13; Col. 3:5; 1 Cor. 9:27). This 
can be done effectually, only as we let Christ 
rule in our hearts. 

Afflicted; distressed, oppressed, persecuted; 
having no reference to ordinary sicknesses. Our 
duty toward the afflicted, (Acts 12:5; 2 Cor. 
1:14; Gal. 6:2; Heb. 13:3; see also Psa. 82:3; 
Job 29:25). Filled with the Holy Trinity, one 
can endure all such afflictions, and triumph al- 
ways in the Lord, (2 Cor. 2:14). 

Alien; foreign, having no right to partake of, 
(Heb. 11:34; Eph. 2:12; 4:18; Col. 1:21). Be- 
fore conversion, all are aliens from God; and 
it is only through faith in Christ that one 
comes, to have rights in the Kingdom of 
Heaven. 

Alms; gifts to the poor. Examples: Acts 
3:2; 10:2; 24:17. How to bestow: Matt. 6:1; 
Lu. 11:41; 12:33. 

Almighty, The; meaning God; Gen. 17:1; ap- 
plied to Christ in Rev. 1:8, etc., etc. 



APPENDIX D 



Altar; the places where sacrifices under 
the law were burned (see Gen. 8:20; Ex, 
17:15), in the Temple, (2 Chron. 4:1); in 
Heaven, Rev. 8:3; 9:13, etc. 

Ambassador; a person sent by one govern 
ment to another to represent the interests of 
the former. True ministers of the Gospel are 
Christ's ambassadors sent into this wicked 
world to represent His interests, and to in- 
duce sinners to accept the Gospel, (see 2 Cor. 
5:20; Eph. 6:20). 

Amen; this word has various meanings and 
applications, as "truth," or "verily;" in its gen- 
eral use at the end of a prayer, it has the 
meaning of, "Be it so.' It is one of the names 
of Jesus, (Rev. 3:14). 

Angel; a messenger; the angels of God are 
His messengers, sent to execute His will on 
earth, or in the heavens, (Gen. 24:7; 'Ex. 23:23; 
Dan. 3:28; 6:22, etc). Not to be worshipped, (Col. 
2:18; Rev. 19:10, etc). And the same word 
that is translated "angel," is also translated 
"messenger," when it refers to man. 

Anointed, The; The Christ, or the Messiah, 
(Isa. 61:1; Lu. 4:18; Acts 10:38). See Mes- 
siah. 

Anointing with oil; see James 5:14. The oil 
used at present is olive oil: the oil being a 
symbol of the Spirit; see note on James 5:14, 
15. 

Anointing; "Ye have an anointing"; meaning 
the gift of the Holy Spirit, (see 1 John 2:27). 

Anti-Christ; a fearfully wicked man, the im- 
personation and representative of Satan, who 
is yet to appear as the world's greatest 
scourge, but will be captured and cast alive 
into the lake of fire, when Christ comes to the 
earth with His saints, (Rev. 19:19-20; Rev. 
13:1 [the beast]; 2 Thess. 2:3-10 [the man of 
sin]; Dan. 7:20-22; 8:9-12; 23:25 [little horn]) 
There are many anti-Christs, but this terrible 
monster is to be tlie anti-Christ, who will be Sa- 
tan's chief agent in ministering "the great trib- 
ulation." 

Apostle; one sent forth by Christ to preach 
the Gospel. The apostles were inspired to 
preach and teach the Gospel, to establish as 
semblies of believers, and to perfect the Scrip 
ture teachings for the Gospel dispensation. 
Called, (Matt. 10:1-15). Paul was the apostle 
to the Gentiles, (Rom. 11:13; 9:15, etc.). It 
appears that the apostolic oflice in the sense 
of one -inspired to write the Scriptures ceased 
with the death of the apostle John. God calls 
and sends forth all His true ministers now; 
but it is no part of their duty to add to the 
Scriptures, but to expound, teach and preach 
them. 

Apparel; instructions regarding, (1 Tim. 
2:9; 1 Pet. 3:3). 

Ark; Noah's described, (Gen. 6:14-16; Heb. 
11:7; 1 Pet. 3:20). 

Ark of God; (Ex. 25:10, 11; 37:1); carried 
into Canaan, (Josh. 3:15); captured by the 
Philistines, (1 Sam. 4:11); carried to Jerusa- 
lem, (2 Sam. 6:15, 24); brought into the tem- 



ple, (1 Kings 8:3-6); ark in Heaven, (Rev. 
11:19). 

Armor of God; the Christian's panoply, (Eph. 
6:13, 17; Rom. 13:12; 2 Cor. 10:4; 1 Thess. 
5:8). 

Ascension of Christ; prophesied of, (Psa. 
68:18; John 6:62; 7:33; 14:2,28; 16:5; 20:17); 
fulfilled, (Acts 1:9-11; Lu. 24:51). 

Assembly; an orderly company of obedient 
believers who meet together statedly for the 
worship of God, and the observance of the 
Lorfd's Supper; having the word of God right- 
ly divided as their creed, the Holy Spirit as ' 
their Teacher, and Christ as their Living Head ; 
having it in view to hold forth, in their midst, 
the Gospel ordinances, and the full Gospel 
of Christ for spirit, soul, and body, to the 
end that all the members may be established 
in the faith, built up in love, and made worthy 
members; and having it also, as a chief end 
in view, to carry, or send, the Gospel, as far 
as practicable, to all parts of the world. This 
is an ideal definition of an assembly of God, 
or an assembly of Christ. 

The word assembly, being a translation of 
the Greek, Ekklesia, is used in at least two 
senses: viz., to denote all the saved, (see Eph. 
1:22; Col. 1:18; Eph. 3:10; 5:24-29); and to 
denote a local, independent congregation of or- 
derly believers, (see 1 Cor. 1:2; Acts 14:23; 
Phil. 4:15; Acts 13:1, etc.). 

The plural (assemblies) is used, but in a 
manner to show that each local assembly was 
independent under God, and was entrusted 
with self-government, (see 2 Cor. 8:1; Rev. 
1:11, etc.). An assembly in private homes, 
(Rom. 16:5; 2 Cor. 16:19; Col. 4:15; Philem. 
2). The idea of a consolidated ecclesiasticism 
is nowhere found in the New Testament Scrip- 
tures. 

Assurance; quiet confidence. Assurance of 
salvation is an unwavering confidence that 
one is saved. Effect of righteousness, (Isa. 
32:17); riches of, (Col. 2:2); connected with 
hope and faith, (Heb. 6:11; 10:22). 

Atonement; a covering; at-one-ment; God 
and the sinner put in agreement through the 
vicarious death of Jesus Christ; satisfaction 
for sin. Under the law (Ex. 29:36; Lev. 1:1-4), 
this was typical of the offering made by 
Christ 

Atonement made by Christ, (Rom. 3:24;; 
5:6; 2 Cor. 5:18, 21; Gal. 1:4; 3:13; Tit. 2:14; 
Heb. 9:26, 28; 1 Pet. 1:19; 2:24; 3:18; 1 John 
2:2; Rev. 1:5, etc.). Prophesied of, (Isa. 
53:4-10; Dan. 9:24; Zech. 13:1, 7; John 11:50, 
etc.). 

Christ died for all, (2 Cor. 5:14; Heb. 2:9). 

But no actual sinner is saved, unless he re- 
pents, and believes in Christ, (Acts 3:19; 
16:31). 



Backbiting; speaking disparagingly of one in 
his absence. Forbidden, (Lev. 19:16; Psa. 
15:3; Prov. 25:23; 2 Cor. 12:20). The "unruly 



APPENDIX D 



member" can be under perfect control, only 
as God fills the heart and has control of the 
life. 

Bore, or bare; referring to what Christ bore 
for man, (see Isa. 53:4, 11, 12; Matt 8:17; 1 
Pet. 2:24; Heb. 9:28) 

Believe; this verb helps to supply the de- 
fective family of the English words, faith, 
faithful, faithfully, there being no verb in" the 
family. To believe is to exercise faith. Note 
the following uses of the word: Salvation with 
• eternal life through believing, (Acts 16:31; 
John 3:16, 30; 6:47; 1 John 5:10); the ideal 
worker believes on (into) Christ, (John 7:38; 
14:12); by believing we receive what we de- 
sire when we pray, (Mk. 11:24; 9:23); by be- 
lieving one connects himself with the power of 
God, (Rom. 1:16); Christ is the end of the 
law for righteousness to him who believes, 
(Rom. 10:4). 

Blameless; without any ground for censure. 
God wishes his people to be blameless in holi- 
ness, (1 Thess. 3:13); blameless and harmless, 
(Phil. 2:15; see also 1 Thess. 5:23). The more 
the life of Christ dominates our being, the 
less the blame that will attach to us. 

Blemish, without; required in animals that 
were sacrificed, (Ex. 12:5; 29:1). Children 
without blemish, (Dan. 1:4). Jesus, who made 
the great sin-offering, was without blemish, (1 
Pet. 1:19; see also Heb. 7:26). God pur- 
poseth to have a grand assembly of all the re- 
deemed without blemish, (Eph. 5:27). 

Blood (of Christ). Its great value; without 
the shedding of blood no remission, (Heb. 
9:22) ; cleansed through the blood, (1 John 1:7; 
Rev. 1:5); purchased with His blood, (Acts 
20:28); propitiation through faith in His 
blood, (Rom. 3:25); justified through His 
blood, (5:9); redemption through His blood. 



in the believer, (Ez. 36:26); one receives new 
lif^, (John 3:16; 10:10); this is the Christ- 
life, (John 14:6; Col. 3:4; 1 John 5:11, 12); 
this new life is called "the inner man," (Rom. 
7:22; Eph. 3:16); it is this birth that makes 
one a "babe in Christ," (1 Cor. 3:1; Heb. 5:13). 
This is altogether supernatural. 

Bought; the redeemed were bought with a 
price. (1 Cor. 6:20; 7:23; 1 Pet. 1:18). If we 
regard the Father as paying the ransom. He 
gave His Son as the ransom price; if we regard 
Christ as making the purchase. He gave His 
own life for the sheep, pouring out His blood 
for us. In either view, it was a price paid, 
not to Satan, but to satisfy the demands of 
God's broken law. Through the vicarious suf- 
ferings of Christ, the law was satisfied, and 
even magnified. 

Bread; Christ is the bread of life, (John 

32, 33, 35, 48, 50, 51, 53, 54-58). The manna, 
on which God fed the Israelites in the wilder- 
ness, was a type of Christ, "the Living Bread." 
Also, the bread, in connection with the wine 
used in the observance of the Lord's Supper, 
points to Christ as the nutrition of the new 
man, (see 1 Cor. 11:23-30, last verse especial- 
ly). 

Brethren; true believers in Christ. Their 
duty to one another to love, (John 13:34; 
15:12, 17; Eph. 5:2; 1 Thess. 4:9; 1 Pet. 1:22; 
Rom. 13:8, etc.); love a proof of discipleship, 
(John 13:35; 1 John 4:20); not to speak evil 
of, (Jas. 4:11); in honor preferring one an- 
other, (Rom. 12:10); distributing to their ne- 
cessities, (Rorn. 12:13; Jas. 2:15, 16); laying 
down our lives for the brethren, (1 John 

16). The brethren, who are fully yielded 
to God, and are filled with the Spirit, 
indwelt by Christ, and have fellowship with 
the Father, constitute the highest order of 



(Col. 1:14; Eph. 1:7; 1 Pet. 1:18, 19); sancti-l brotherhood on the earth, 
fied through His blood, (Heb. 13:12; peace Bride; the bride of Christ, (Isa. 61:10; John 
through His blood, (Col. 1:20); believers over- 3:29; Rev. 21:2; 22:17). Some Scriptures 
come through the blood, (Rev. 12:11); madeiseem to indicate that all the saved constitute 



white in the blood, (Rev. 7:14). 

Body (of the believer) to be presented a 
living sacrifice, holy ... to the Lord, 
(Rom. 12:1); for the Lord, (1 Cor. 6:13); a 
temple of the Holy Spirit, (1 Cor. 6:19); to 
be kept pure, (1 Thess. 4:4) ; to be raised from 
Die dead, (1 Cor. 15:12; Phil. 3:21); believers 
in the aggregate, the body of Christ, (Rom. 
12:5; 1 Cor. 10:17; 12:12; Eph. 1:22, 23; Col. 
1:18; 3:15). 

Boldness; confidence, assurance. Peter and 
John examples of, (Acts 4:8-12, 19, 20); the 
three Hebrew children, (Dan. 3:15-25); Daniel 
himself, (ch. 6:10-23); Esther, (Esth. 5:1-3); 
Paul, (Acts 9:27); boldness to enter into "the 
holy place" by His blood, (Heb. 10:19). When 
God fills a man with Himself, all cowardice 
and timidity are removed, and such a man be- 
comes as bold as a lion. 

Born (of the Spirit); the new birth, (John 
1:13; 3:3, 5, 6. 8; 1 John 3:9; 4:7; 5:1, 14, 
18). In the new birth, a new spirit is put 



the bridj of Christ; while others seem to im- 
ply that the bride of Christ will, in a special 
sense, include only the full overcomers, who 
grow up into Him in all things, and reach 
unto the measure of the stature of His ful- 
ness, (Eph. 4:15. 13). The King's daughter 
(Psa. 45:10, 11, 13, 14), seems evidently to rep- 
resent the bride of Christ; while "the virgins, 
her companions," though manifestly not the 
bride, have an honorable place in connection 
with her, (vs. 14, 15). A kindred thought is 
presented in "the wise virgins" (Matt. 25:1-10), 
who, though not the bride, were admitted into 
the marriage chamber. 

Bridegroom; Christ is the coming Bride- 
groom, who will catch up his watching, wait- 
ing and ready ones, to meet Him in the air, 
(Matt. 25:1-10; 1 Thess, 4:15-17; Rev. 12:5). 
Many believe that the Bridegroom is coming 
soon; and there are many signs that point 
that way; but it is well not to fix a date. It 
becomes all His true followers to be ready 



APPENDIX D 



9 



to meet Him; but we should occupy till He 
Cometh, (Lu. 19:13). 

Chasten; "to train up a child," to discipline, 
to correct. Every wise father seeks to bring 
up his son right; by teaching, training, dis- 
ciplining, correcting, and even scourging him, 
when necessary. So with our Heavenly Fa- 
ther. Love leads to chastening, (Prov. 3:12; 
13:24; Heb. 12:6); the motive, or purpose, 
(Heb. 12:10). Hence all trials, persecutions, 
tribulations, adversities, and necessities, are 
so many ways of chastening, correcting and 
disciplining one in a holy life, and, back of 
that, a holy character, (Rom. 8:28; 2 Cor. 
6:4-10; 11:24-33). Chastening not pleasant 
for the present, (Heb. 12:11). Necessary, (v. 
10). Hence we should cheer up, (vs. 12-15; 
Rom. 5:3-5; Jas. 1:2-4). The degree of chas- 
tening determined by what one chooses to be 
made; if one seeks God's highest and best, 
his chastening must be complete, and accom- 
plish its fullest results, (v. 10; Jas. 1:4). 

Christ, The; the anointed One, the Messiah 
prophesied of, (Dan. 9:25, 26). Jesus was an 
ointed with the Holy Spirit, (Acts 10:38; Lu 
4:18); and hence He was called "Jesus the 
Christ," or "Jesus the Anointed One." Or 
He is sometimes called "Christ Jesus," 
ing the "Anointed Jesus." Moses spoke of the 
promised Messiah as a Prophet (Deut. 18:18), 
who was to be invested with great authority, 
(see V. 19; also Acts 3:22, 23, and 7:37). He 
is prophesied of as "the Messenger of the 
Covenant," (Mai. 3:1-4). The name, "Christ," 
is very often used alone, especially in the 
Pauline epistles. 

Circumcision; instituted, (Gen. 17:9-14); ob- 
served, (Gen. 34:14-24); renewed before en- 
tering Canaan, (Josh. 5:2-7); the deeper im- 
port brought out (Deut. 10:16; 30:6), being a 
type of the" circumcision, or renewal, of the 
heart, (Rom. 2:29); nothing, if depended on 
for salvation, (Gal. 5:6; 6:15; 1 Cor. 7:19) 
abolished, (Acts 15; Gal. 5:2). It was never 
designed that Gentile believers should observe 
the Jewish rite of circumcision. The observ 
ance of the rite by the Jews has, with other 
things, kept them from race extinction. 

Care (amounting to fretting or anxiety) for- 
bidden, (Psa. 37:1; 39:6; 55:22; Matt. 6:25-33; 
13:22; Lu. 10:41, 42; 1 Cor. 7:32; Phil. 4:6; 
1 Tim. 6:8; 2 Tim. 2:4, etc.); how to get rid 
of anxiety, (1 Pet. 5:7; Phil. 4:7; Bph. 5:18) 

Collections; time, (1 Cor. 16:1); motive, 
(2 Cor. 8:9); manner, (Rom. 12:8; 2 Cor. 8:2); 
specific object, (Rom. 15:26, 27; Acts 11:29). 
The law required a tithe: the Gospel assumes 
that all things belong to God, and the true 
Christian is God's steward, or disbursing 
agent, distributing the Master's goods at the 
Master's bidding, (Lu. 12:42; 16:2). 

Commandments (the ten); delivered orally 
(Ex. 20); on stones, (Ex. 31:18); stones brok 
en, (Ex.. 32:19); other stones given, (Ex. 34; 
Deut. 10); fulfilled by Christ, (Matt. 5:17); 
the commandments not given to procure life, 
but to show the need of Christ, (Rom. 7:4-13; 



2 Cor. 3:7-11; Gal. 3:24). Christ fulfilled the 
commandments as conditions of life; but the 
commandments (except the fourth, which was 
a positive, and not a moral law) remain as 
rules of Christian conduct, and should now be 
observed in the power of the new life, (Rom. 

2-4). Neither the moral nor the ceremonial 
law could secure life for the sinner, (Acts 
13:39; Rom. 3:28; 7:7; Gal. 2:16, etc.); but 
whoever violates the decalogue, or that portion 
of it that is brought over into the Gospel, 
can not live a Christian life; for, if one be 
a thief, a murderer, an adulterer, etc., he can 
not be a Christian, unless he gives up these 
things, and lets the spirit of Christ control 
his life, (Rom. 8:9). But, if it is a sin to com- 
mit murder, theft, adultery, etc., it is because 
the Christian is under obligation to observe 
the commandments that forbid these things; 
and those who habitually trample these com- 
mandments under their feet forfeit thereby 
their right to hold to the name of Christian, 
(1 Cor. 6:9, 10; GaL 5:19-21). 

Confess; to own, to acknowledge; to con- 
fess Christ is to own Him as one's Savior, 
(Matt. 10:32; Lu. 12:8; Rom. 10:9); we should 
confess our sins to God, (1 John 1:9); confess 
our faults to one another, (Jas. 5:16; ; Christ 
will confess those who confess and honor Him, 
(Matt. 10:32; Lu. 12:8; Rev. 3:5, etc.). 

N. B. While the Christian should confess all 
his sins to God, and confess his faults to his 
Christian companions — especially when his 
faults or sins affect another — yet there is no 
Scripture to support any such thing as the 
Catholic "Confessional." 

Confidence; boldness, assurance; preaching 
with all confidence, (Acts 28:31); access with 
confidence, (Eph. 3:12); no confidence in the 
flesh, (Phil. 3:3); holding fast the confidence, 
(Heb. 3:6"); cast not away your confidence, 
(Heb. 10:35); confidence toward God, (1 John 
3:21; 2:28; 5:14); in quiet and confidence is 
our strength, (Isa. 30:15.) An unwavering con- 
fidence in God will cause the Christian to ride 
the wildest storms and roughest waves, un- 
perturbed. 

Conscience; the moral sense that impels one 
to do what he believes to be right, and to re- 
frain from doing what he believes to be wrong; 
also, it rewards one for doing what he deems 
to be right, and punishes him with remorse 
for doing what he regards as wrong. If one 
has been wrongly taught, his conscience will 
be wrong, and its action will be perverted. 
Paul was very conscientious in persecuting 
Christians, until his judgment was corrected, 
and his conscience set right. Convicted by 
conscience, (John 8:9; 1 Cor. 8:7); conscienca 
void of offense, (Acts 24:16); conscience bear- 
ing witness, (Rom. 2:15; 9:1; 13:5; 1 Cor. 
10:28, 29; 2 Cor. 1:12); a pure conscience, (1 
Tim. 3:9; 2 Tim. 1:3); seared, (2 Tim. 4:2); 
undeflled, (Tit. 1:15); purge, or cleanse, (Heb. 
9:14; 10:2); defiled, (1 Cor. 8:7); sprinkled 
from an evil conscience, (Heb. 10:22); a good 
conscience, (Acts 23:1; 1 Tim. 1:5, 19; Heb. 



10 



APPENDIX D 



13:18; 1 Pet. 3:21). When the Holy Spirit i 
permitted to fill the believer. He purifies the 
conscience, and makes its action normal in 
grace. The conscience, the reason, and the 
will, are all subordinated to the rule of Christ, 
when He is enthroned in the heart. But the 
Word of God, being the rule of Christian duty, 
if the conscience is to be right at all times, 
one must be in harmony with the Word. It 
is one of the gracious offices of the Holy 
Spirit to convict the believer of duty, when one 
has been wrongly taught in the past, but is 
now yielded to Him. 

Consolation; comfort under trials, (Matt. 
11:28-30; Lu. 4:18; John 14:15, 16; 1 Cor. 
14:3; 2 Cor. 1:5, 6); Christ, the true consola- 
tion, (Lu. 2:25) ; consolation abounds by Christ, 
(2 Cor. 1:5; Phil. 2:1; 2 Thess. 2:16; see also 
Heb. 6:18). To have perfect consolation, one 
mu-^t let Christ have the perfect management 
of hio heart and life. 

Contentment; satisfaction with one's pres- 
ent lot and allotments; godliness with 
contentment is great gain, (1 Tim. 6:6; 
Psa. 37:16; Prov. 30:8); exhortations to, 
(Psa. 37:1; Lu. 3:14; 1 Cor. 7:20; 1 
Tim. 6:8; Phil. 4:11; Heb. 13:5). Con- 
tentment is a blessed state, because it shows 
that one is in harmony with God. We should 
be content with our earthly possessions (Phil. 
4:11), but not with our spiritual attainments, 
(see Phil. 3:7-14). 

Conversion; a turning back, or turning 
around; in conversion the heart is turned away 
from sin to righteousness and holiness, or 
from Satan to God, from darkness to light — 
this is inward conversion; and, where the out- 
ward life follows the inward change that has 
been wrought, the person is outwardly con- 
verted. Conversion follows repentance, (Acts 
3:19, 26; 11:21); and is, logically, preceded al- 
so by faith— a faith that receives Christ as 
one's sin-bearer and Savior; true conversion 
makes one as a little child, (Matt. 18:3; 2 Cor. 
5:17; 1 Cor. 14:20); a call to, (Matt. 3:2; 4:17). 
Results of the Holy Spirit working within, 
(John 3:5, 6); but the one who would be con- 
verted must give up sin, and ally himself to 
Christ by faith. 

Convince, or convict; to make one realize his 
Bins; to awaken one to a sense of his guilt, 
need and peril. This is one of the works of 
the Holy Spirit, (John 16:8; 1 Cor. 14:24); 
the law, or the Word of God, the means of con- 
viction, (Jas. 2:9). The Word is the sword 
of the Spirit, (Eph. 6:17); and with this the 
Spirit smites the sinner, convicts him of his 
sin; and, if he will yield, the Spirit will work 
repentance in him, and thus open the way for 
him to believe, and be saved. To resist con- 
viction is to close the gate of Heaven against 
one's soul, and to make one's home in Hell. 

Covenant; a will, testament, or an agree- 
ment between parties, wherein certain condi- 
tions are to be complied with; the law was a 
covenant of works; the Gospel contains the 
covenant of grace. This latter covenant was 



ratified in the crucifixion of Christ, who was 
the executive of the divine will and purpose, 
and the Messenger who came to execute the 
covenant of redemption; prophesied of, (Jer. 
31:31-34; Heb, 8:8-13); fulfilled and ratified in 
the vicarious death of Jesus Christ, (Matt. 
26:28; 20:28; Rom. 5:15; Heb. 9:26; 2 Cor. 
5:21, etc.). 

N. B. The Jews, as a nation, rejected this 
covenant; but they will accept it, when Christ 
shall return to establish His millennial reign 
on the earth, (Zech. 12:10; Jer. 31:9; 50:4, 
5; Ez. 39:23-29; Rom. 11:25, 26, etc.). 

Create; created in Christ Jesus for good 
works, (Eph. 2:10); all things created by 
Christ Jesus, (Eph. 3:9; Col. 1:16, 17); created 
in righteousness, (Eph. 4:24); after the image 
of Plim who created him, (Col. 3:10); a new 
creature in Christ Jesus, (2 Cor. 5:17). Jesus 
Christ, by whom all world's were made, came 
to give man a new life, and to make him a 
new creature. This creative process began in 
regeneration, and it progresses as the life of 
Christ more and more dominates one's whole 
being. 

Covetousness; a disposition to have more; 
greed for gain. Described, (Psa. 10:3; 39:6; 
Prov. 21:26; Eccl. 4:8; 5:10; Ez. 33:31); has 
bad company, (Mk. 7:22; Eph. 5:5; Col. 3:5; 
2 Pet. 2:14); forbidden, (Ex. 20:17;, Lu. 12:15; 
Rom. 13:9); evil consequences, (Josh. 7:21; 
2 Kgs. 5:21-27; 1 Tim. 6:9, 10); examples: 
Laban, (Gen. 34:41); Rachel, (Gen. 31:19); 
Balaam, (Num. 22; 2 Pet. 2:15; Jude 11); 
Achan, (Josh. 7:21; 1 Sam. 15:9); Ahab, (1 
Kgs. 21); Saul, (1 Sam. 15:9); Gehazi, (2 
Kgs. 5:20); Judas, (Matt. 26:15); Ananias and 
Saphira, (Acts 5); Felix, (Acts 24:26). It is 
right to covet the best gifts of the Spirit, (1 
Cor. 12:31); but such gifts can not be wisely 
sought, until one has crucified the flesh (Gal. 
5:24), and has a character so developed in 
Christ as to insure the proper use of them. 

Cross, the; the instrument to which Christ 
was nailed, and upon which He died, (John 
19:17-31; see also Matt. 27:35-54; Mk. 15:24- 
38; Lu. 23:33-49); the cross of Christ used 
figuratively to denote the doctrines of His vicar- 
ious sufferings on the cross, (1 Cor. 1:17, 18; 
Gal. 5:11; 6:12); obedient to the death of 
cross, (Phil. 2:8); peace through the blood of 
the cross, (Col. 1:20; 2:14); for joy, endured 
the cross, (Heb. 12:2). The assumption of 
the sins of man (Isa. 53:6) made it necessary 
that Christ should die, according to the plan 
of redemption agreed upon by the Father and 
the Son, (Rev. 13:8; 17:8). By His vicarious 
death, He expiated human guilt, wrought out 
the atonement, and propitiated the favor of 
God. 

THE CROSS FOR THE TRUE DISCIPLE. 

Not a literal cross, but such a relationship 
to Christ as to work death to self, or sfelf-death, 
(Matt. 10:38; 16:24; Lu. 9:23; 14:27; Gal. 
2:20; 5:21); enemies of the cross, or believers 



APPENDIX D 



11 



who do not wish the self-life to die, (Phil, mined. Lunatic asylums are full of demon- 
3:18), possessed people. During the millennium, de- 

Crown; there are many kinds of crowns mons will lose all their power over human be- 
promised, but all are to be bestowed for some ings; and, finally, like the Devil, they will be 
work, service, attainment, fidelity, endurance, cast into Hell, (Matt. 25:41; 2 Pet. 2:4; Jude 
etc. The crown of righteousness is for those G). 



who love His appearing, (2 Tim. 4:8); the 
crSwn of glory for the faithful pastor, (1 Pet. 
5:4); the crown of rejoicing for those who 
win souls, (1 Thess. 2:19). An incorruptible 
crown for those who mortify the flesh, (1 Cor. 
9:25); the crown of life is for those who en- 
dure, (Jas. 1:12; Rev. 2:10); the regal crown 
is for him who fully overcomes, (Rev. 3:21); 
the crown possible to us may be forfeited by 
negligence, indolence, or half-hearted effort, 
(Rev. 3:11). 

Crucifixion; killing by nailing to the cross. 
The etymology of the word indicates that one 
is made into a cross; the person who is nailed 
to a cross being made to assume the shape of 
a cross 



Disease; all kinds of bodily ailments. Sick- 
nesses of all kinds have come to men as re- 
sults of sin. Jesus bore our sicknesses, (Isa. 
53:4; Matt. 8:16); healing of diseases was a 
part of the work of the apostles and of the 
seventy, (Lu. 9:1; 10:1, 9). Those who get 
all that Christ has provided for their bodies 
will have all their diseases healed (Psa. 103:3), 
their bodies quickened (Rom. 8:11), their 
strength renewed, (Isa. 40:31); renewed like 
the eagles, (Psa. 103:5); and will have health, 
(3 John 2). 

Devil; called the Accuser, (Rev. 12:10); 
Satan, (1 Chron. 21:1; Job 1:6, 7, 8, etc.); 
Abaddon or Apolyon, (Rev. 9:11); Beelzebub, 
(Matt. 12:24); Belial, (2 Cor. 6:15); dragon. 



Christ's crucifixion predicted, (Matt. 20:19); (Rev. 12:3; 20:2); enemy, (Matt. 13:39); 
executed, (Matt. 27:35; Mk. 15:24; Lu. 23:33; jfather of lies, (John 8:44); god of this world, 
John 19:18). He was crucified, or died, for (2 Cor. 4:4); Leviathan, (Isa. 27:1); murderer, 
all, (2 Cor. 5:14, 15, 21; Heb. 2:9); and, hence,|(John 8:41); power of darkness, (Col. 1:13); 
all, in a judicial and representative sense, prince of this world, (John 14:30; Bph. 6:12); 
died in Him; the believer's experimental cru- prince of the demons, (Matt. 12:24); prince 
cifixion, (Gal. 2:20; 2 Cor. 4:10, 11; Rom. of the power of the air, (Eph. 2:2); serpent. 



8:10); its instantaneous phases, (Gal. 5:24; Col. 
3:5, 8; Eph. 4:22); when complete, (Phil. 
3:10); the design to annul the body of sin 
(Rom. 6:6), and perfect the Christ-life, (2 Cor. 
4:10, 11; Gal. 2:20); the experimental order, 
regeneration, consecration. Spirit-filled life, 
Christ enthroned in the heart, the crucified life, 
the perfected Christ-life, (as an ideal ahead). 



Deacon; an officer to look after the temporal 
Interests of an assembly of God, (Acts 6:1-6); 
recognized as an officer, (Phil. 1:1); moral 
qualifications, (1 Tim. 3:8-12); spiritual qualifi- 
cations, (Acts 6:3); the office compatible with 
spiritual development, (1 Tim. 3:13). 

Death; physical; a consequence of Adam's 
sin, (Gen. 2:17; 3:19; Rom. 5:12; 6:23, etc.); 
spiritual, (Isa. 9:2; Matt. 4:16; 8:22; Rom. 
6:13; 8:6; Eph. 2:1; Col. 2:13, etc.); the sec- 
ond death, (Rev. 20:6, 14; -21:8 — which seems 
to be unending suffering in Hell, or the lake of 
fire burning with brimstone) ; death abolished 
through Christ, (John 5:24; Rom. 6:11; Bph. 
2:5, 6; 1 John 5:11, 12, etc.). 

Demon; an evil spirit that is subordinate 
to the Devil, or Satan. Demons are very nu- 
merous; but there is but one Devil; and, there- 
fore, wherever the word devils occurs in the 
common version, it should have been trans- 
lated demons. A demon, one or more, seems to 
occupy every adult, holding him or her as its 
own possession, till Christ comes and casts 
it out, (Matt. 12:29; Lu. 11:21, 22). They are 
agents of disease, (Lu. 13:16; Acts 10:38); 
agents of deafness and dumbness, (Matt. 9:33; 
12:22; Mk. 9:25). Demoniacs are demon-pos- 
sessed persons whose reason has been under- 



(Gen. 3:4; 2 Cor. 11:3; Rev. 12:9, etc.); 
tempter, (Matt. 4:3; 1 Thess. 3:5); evil one, 
(Matt. 13:19, 38). The Devil appears to be a 
fallen angel, (2 Pet. 2:4; Jude 6); the one 
who introduced sin, sickness, and death into 
our world, (Gen. 3:1-16); has countless de- 
mons under him, (Matt. 12:24) ; is to be chained 
a thousand years, (Rev. 20:1-3); after the mil- 
lennium will be loosed "a little season," (v. 
7-9) ; will finally be cast into the lake of fire 
and brimstone (v. 10), where he is to be tor- 
mented day and night forever and ever, or in- 
to the ages of the ages. 

Drink, strong; including all intoxicating 
liquors. Forbidden, (Lev. 10:9; Numb. 6:3; 
Judg. 13:4; Lu. 1:15). 

Drunkenness; censured, (Prov. 20:1; Isa. 
5:11; Lu. 21:34; Rom. 13:13; 1 Cor. 5:11; Gal. 
5:21; Eph. 5:18; 1 Thess. 5:7; 1 Pet. 4:3); 
for the drunkard's doom, see 1 Cor. 6:10; GaL 
5:21. 

E. 

Edification; building up, strengthening; 
applied either to an individual or assembly. 
Exhortations thereto, (Rom. 14:19; 15:2); love 
edifies, (1 Cor. 8:1); seek that ye may ex- 
cel to the edifying of the assembly, 14:12, 
3, 36; 2 Cor. 10:8; 12:19; 13:10; Eph. 
4:12, 16, 29; 1 Thess. 5:11). Next to the sav- 
ing of souls comes the work of edification. 

Elder; an assembly official, (Acts 14:28; 
15:23; 20:17); apostles were elders, (1 Pet. 
5:1); pastors were elders, (Tit. 1:5); moral 
qualifications of elders, (1 Tim. 3:1-7; Tit. 
1:6-9); spiritual, (Lu. 24:49; Acts 1:8); duties, 
(1 Pet. 5:2; John 21:15, 16, 17; Acts 20:28; 
Jas. 5:14; 1 Tim. 5:17; Matt. 28:19, 20; Mk. 



12 



APPENDIX D 



16:15-18; Tit. 2:5). It is not meant that every 
elder should periorm all these duties; for pas- 
tors and evengelists do not have identically 
the same work. 

N. B. The Gospel of Jesus Christ knows noth- 
ing of such titles as Rev. and D. D., as applied 
to preachers. 

Election; God's choice of men based upon 
His foreknowledge, (Rom. 8:29; 11:2; 1 Pet. 
1:2); God knoweth His own elect, (2 Tim. 
2:19); John 10:14; Eph. 1:4, 5; Matt. 24:22; 
Rom. 8:33; Col. 3:12; 2 Tim. 2:10, etc.). God 
foreknew all who would accept the Gospel; 
hence all who embrace the Gospel are His 
elect. Election, rightly understood, does not 
interfere in the least with man's moral respon- 
sibility. 

Endurance; holding out under trials, pa- 
tience, steadfastness. An admirable quality, 
(Mk. 13:13; 2 Tim. 2:3, 10; 4:5; Heb. 12:7; 
Jas. 1:12; 5:11; 2 Tim. 3:11; Heb. 6:5; 10:32; 
11:27; 12:2, 3, etc.). Heart-union with Jesus 
develops endurance. 

Establish, or stabllsh; to confirm, to render 
one capable of standing; established in the 
faith, (Acts 16:5; Col. 2:7); establish with 
grace, (Heb. 13:9); establish in present 
truth, (2 Pet. 1:12); a principal end in preach- 
ing and exhortation, (Rom. 1:11; 1 Thess. 3:12, 
13; 2 Thess. 2:17; 1 Pet. 5:10). The more one's 
whole being is yielded to God in obedience and 
trust, the more will he become established 
along all these lines. 

Eternal; everlasting, endless, age-lasting. 
Eternal life Christ's gift, (John 3:15; 5:39; 
6:54, 68; 10:28; 17:2, 3); ordained to eternal 
life, (Acts 13:48; 2:47); the gift of God, (Rom. 
6:23; 2:7; 5:21); eternal punishment, (Matt. 
25:46; Dan. 12:2; Rev. 20:10). There is the 
same reason for believing that the torment of 
the wicked will be eternal, everlasting, or end- 
less, as there is for believing that the bliss of 
the saved in Heaven will be eternal. Some 
claim that such expressions as the everlasting 
hills, everlasting possessions, everlasting 
priesthood, etc., can indicate only limited dura- 
tion; and they infer, hence, that punishment 
must be limited. This is purely gratuitous; 
and whoever risks his eternal interests on 
such an inference will, doubtless, find himself 
an eternal loser. 

Exalt; to lift on high, to honor. He that 
humbles himself shall be exalted, (Matt. 23:12; 
Lu. 14:11; 18:14; Jas. 4:6; 1 Pet. 5:5; Job 
22:29; Prov. 15:33; 29:23). As the child of 
God surrenders his self-life to death, the life 
of Christ grows up in him more and more, 
and it is the degree to which the Christ-life 
is developed in one, that will determine the 
measure of his humility, and, hence, of his 
exaltation. 

Exhort; earnestly entreat, admonish. Sin- 
ners exhorted to repent and accept Christ, 
(Acts 2:40; 27:22; 11:23); Christians exhorted, 
(Acts 15:32; 14:22; 2 Cor. 9:5; 1 Thess. 2:11, 
12; 4:1; 5:14; 1 Tim. 2:1; 2 Tim. 4:2; Tit. 
2:9; 2;6, 9, 15; l Pet. 5:12; Jude 3; Heb. 3:13; 



10:25; Rom. 12:8; 1 Cor. 14:3, etc.). Exhor- 
tation, when inspired by the Holy Spirit, is a 
potent agency in the enforcement of truth, and 
in leading one to a decision. 



Faith; the assurance of things hoped for, 
the sure conviction of things not seen, (Heb. 
11:1); saving faith preceded and accompanied 
by genuine repentance for sin, (Mk. 1:15; Acts 
16:31); justified by faith, (Rom. 3:28, 30; 5:1; 
10:4; Acts 13:38, 39); Jesus Christ as the sin-of- 
fering who put away sin by the sacrifice of Him- 
self, the object of faith, (John 3:16; Acts 
16:31; John 6:47; 1 John 5:10); children of 
God by faith in Jesus Christ, (Gal. 3:26); the 
just live by faith, (Rom. 1:17); saved through 
faith, (Eph. 2:8); receive the Holy Spirit by 
faith, (Gal. 3:2, 14); we walk by faith, (2 Cor. 
5:7); stand by faith, (2 Cor. 1:24); kept 
through faith, (1 Pet. 1:5); enter into rest by 
faith, (Heb. 4:3, 10); fight our battles by faith, 
(1 Tim. 6:12); protected by the shield of faith, 
(Eph. 6:16); all things possible to him that 
has faith, (Mk. 9:23); we enthrone Christ in 
our hearts by faith, (Eph. 3:17); reckon our- 
selves dead to sin by faith, (Rom. 6:11, or we 
put off the old man by faith) ; faith deals with. 
God's promises and with God Himself — es- 
pecially with the Son, (John 17:3; 2 Pet. 1:4); 
faith the gift of God, (Rom. 12:3; 1 Cor. 12:9); 
faith an element in the fruit of the Spirit, 
(Gal. 5:23). Faith is the receptive power of 
our spiritual being, that takes what God of- 
fereth us in His Word; and the reposing power 
that brings rest and quiet in times of peril. 
See marked examples of faith in Heb. 11th 
chapter. 

Faithful; meeting all one's obligations to 
God and man; faithful as a servant, (Matt. 
25:21, 23; Lu. 19:17); faithful as a steward, 
(Matt. 12:42; 24:45; 1 Cor. 4:2); faithful as a 
minister, (Eph. 6:21; Col. 1:7; 4:7, 8); faith- 
ful in all things, (Lu. 16:10); faithful unto 
death, (Rev. 2:10). True faithfulness comes 
from a life of union with Christ. 

Fast, or fasting; abstaining from food and 
drink for a longer or shorter period. Jesus 
fasted forty days and nights, (Matt. 4:2; Lu. 
4:2). Christians may properly fast, when the 
Savior is felt to be absent from them, (Matt. 
9:15; Mk. 2:20); its utility recognized, (Acts 
13:2, 3; 14:23); Paul fasted, (2 Cor. 6:5; 
11:27). In the deeper crucifixions, fasting may 
prove helpful as an aid to faith and to a life 
of real intercession. 

Familiar spirits; evil spirits, or demons. All 
intercourse with such spirits forbidden, (Lev. 
19:31; 20:6, 27; Isa. 8:19); death the penalty 
(under the law) for having anything to do 
with such spirits, (Ex. 22:18; Deut. 18:10-12; 
1 Sam. 28:7-20; 1 Chron. 10:13). Evil spirits 
work now through spiritism, theosophy, and 
various other isms, that are averse to the doc- 
trine of the vicarious sufferings of Christ. 



APPENDIX D 



13 



Christians should stand aloof from all these 
destructive agencies. 

Father, The; the First Person in the God 
head, Whom the Scriptures represent as pre 
siding over the universe, and working every 
thing after the counsel of His own will. The 
Scriptures represent Him as the Father of 
Jesus Christ, (2 Cor. 1:3; Eph. 1:3; 1 Pet. 1:3) ; 
as sending the Sominto the world, (John 3:17; 
10:36; 5:37, etc.); as making the Son to be- 
come sin for us, (2 Cor. 5:21); as giving His 
Son to be a ransom, (John 3:16); as a pro- 
pitiation, (Rom. 3:25); as accepting the sacri- 
fice of His Son, (Rom. 3:26; Eph. 1:7; Col. 
1:14); as also the Giver of the Holy Spirit, 
(Lu. 11:13; 24:49; John 14:16, 17, etc.). In 
the ordinance of immersion, the names of the 
Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit all ap- 
pear (Matt. 28:19), yet there is but one God — 
who is revealed to us in His Word as the 
Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. 

Feed; to provide with suitable spiritual 
food. Feed the assembly of God, (Acts 20:28; 
John 21:15, 16 [both lambs and sheep]); 
babes to be fed on "milk," (1 Cor. 3:2; 1 Pet. 
2:2; Heb. 5:12, 13). ["Milk" may be taken as 
the simpler principles of the Gospel; as, con- 
fession, cleansing in the blood; or, it may be 
regarded as "digested food," the Word of God 
made simple to the babes in Christ.] It is the 
duty of pastors and teachers to give to Chris- 
tians of all grades such spiritual food from the 
word as each needs. Christ is the Bread of 
Life; and His people must feed on Him, if they 
would grow, (John 6:33, 35, 48, 56, 58). 

Fill, filled; God fill you with all joy, (Rom. 
15:13); filled with the Holy Spirit, (Acts 2:4; 
4:8, 31; 9:17; 13:9, 52; Eph. 5:18); filled unto 
all the fullness of God, (Eph. 3:19); filled with 
all knowledge, (Rom. 15:14); filled with con- 
solation, (2 Cor. 7:4); filled with the fruits of 
righteousness, (Phil. 1:11); filled with the 
knowledge of His will, (Col. 1:9). These are 
unspeakably delightful fillings, resulting in 
Gal. 5:22, 23; Eph. 4:13, 15 and Phil. 3:14. To 
be filled thus, one must consent to be emp- 
tied. 

Find; encouragement to the seekfer, (Jer. 
6:16; 29:13; Matt. 7:7; Lu.-ll:9; Matt. 11:29); 
losing the self-life, to find the Christ-life, 
(Matt. 16:25; Lu. 17:33); grace to help in 
time of need, (Heb. 4:16). We first find Christ 
as our Savior, (Acts 16:31); then we find the 
Spirit as the Father's gift, (Lu. 11:13; John 
14:15-17); then we find the 5on, (John 14:20, 
21; Eph. 3:17); and, later, the Father, (John 
14:23; Eph. 3:19). 

Flesh, the; often, in Paul'^ writings, "the 
flesh" is used to denote the sinful nature, or 
carnality; and it means much the same as 
"the old man," "the carnal mind," or the self- 
life. Those who are in the flesh can not please 
God, (Rom. 8:8); those in the flesh not chil- 
dren of God, (Rom. 9:8); the flesh to be cru- 
cified, (Gal. 5:24); the works of the flesh, 
(Gal. 5:19-21). Ishmael represents the flesh. 



and Isaac represents "the new man," (Gal. 
4:22-30). 

Foreknowledge of God; God knows the end 
from the beginning, (Rom. 8:29; 11:2; Acts 
2:23; Gal. 3:8; 1 Pet. 1:2). Omniscience, or 
knowing all things, is an attribute of Deity. 

Forgive; to pardon, excuse, remit, etc. We 
must forgive, if we would be forgiven, (Matt. 
6:12, 15; 18:35; Jas. 2:13; Lu. 6:37); forgive- 
ness oft repeated, (Lu. 17:3, 4). Forgiveness 
is based upon repentance and confession in 
the last examples above. A CLhristian dare 
not cherish anger, hatred, or malice, towards 
any one, however much he has wronged him. 
In his heart he must forgive, whether the other 
confesses His wrong or not; but he need not 
tell the wrongdoer that he forgives him until 
he confesses his wrong. The Father forgives 
us our sins on confession (1 John 1:9), for 
Christ's sake; Christ having borne our sins 
for us. Many professed Christians fail to re- 
alize forgiveness, because they do not forgive 
others. 

Fruit; a good tree produces good fruit, 
(Matt. 7:17-19; 12:33); fruit unto eternal life, 
John 4:36); fruit necessary to the continuance 
of the branch, (John 15:2); fruit unto holiness, 
(Rom. 6:22); fruit unto God, (Rom. 7:4); the 
fruit of the Spirit, (Gal. 5:22, 23; Eph. 5:9); 
fruit that may abound, (Phil. 4:17); peaceable 
fruit of righteousness, (Heb. 12:11); fruit of 
the lips, (Heb. 13:15); more fruit, (John 15:2); 
much fruit, (v. 5); fruit that abides, (v. 16) ; 
much fruit glorifies the Father, (v. 8). Condi- 
tions of much fruitage may be seen in verses 
4, 5; but this presupposes (ch. 14:17, 20, 21). 
The vine and the branch exist with reference 
to fruit. The fruit that we bear is for the 
benefit of others, and for the glory of God. 

G. 

Gift; the gift of God, (John 4:10; Rom. 6:23; 
2 Tim. 1:6); the Father gives the Holy Spirit, 
(Lu. 11:13; 24:49; Acts 2:38); Christ giveth 
eternal life, (10:28); more blessed to give 
than to receive, (Acts 20:35); gifts of the Spir- 
it, (1 Cor. 12:8-11); God gave the increase, 
(1 Cor. 3:6); first gave their own selves to 
the Lord, (2 Cor. 8:5); God gave His only he- 
gotten Son, (John 3:16); Christ gave Himself 
for our sins, (Gal. 1:4); gave Himself for me, 
(Gal. 2:20); gave Himself a ransom for all, 
(1 Tim. 2:6); Christ has given the true be- 
liever His glory, (John 17:22). Christ will 
give the overcomers a seat with Himself in 
His throne, (Rev. 3:21). 

Glory; praise, honor, majesty, etc. Shall 
come in His glory, (Matt. 16:27); glory to 
God in the highest, (Lu. 2:14); the glory of 
Thy people, (Lu. 2:32); the glory which Thou 
gavest Me I have given them, (John 17:22); 
to God be the glory through Christ, (Rom. 
16:27); man is the glory of God, woman is the 
glory of man, (1 Cor. 11:7); raised in glory, 
(1 Cor. 15:43); changed from glory to glory, 
(1 Cor. 3:18); eternal weight of glory, (2 Cor. 



14 



APPENDIX D 



4:17); praise of the glory of His grace, (Bph. 
1:6); to Him be glory in the assembly, (Eph. 
3:21); faint not at my tribulation for you 
which is your glory, (v. 13); Christ in you 
the hope of glory, (Col. 1:27) ; appear with Him 
in glory, (Col. 3:4); called you to glory, (1 
Thess. 2:12); ye are our glory, (v. 20); re 
ceived up into glory [or Heaven], (1 Tim, 
3:16); full of glory, (1 Pet. 1:8); partaker of 
the glory to be revealed, (1 Pet. 5:1); shall re- 
ceive a crown of glory, (v. 4) ; called us into 
His eternal glory by Christ, (v. 10). 

Glorify; to* worship, praise, exalt, magnify, 
when God is the object worshipped; to be 
honored; to be supremely blessed, when it is 
applied to redeemed man, (Rom. 8:17, 30). 

God; the. uncreated Cause of all things, the 
Source of all being; God is revealed to us 
in the New Testament Scriptures in the Tri- 
personality of the Father, the Son, and the 
Holy Spirit. These together constitute the 
only One True and Living God. Either Person 
in the God-head, considered with the others, 
is God; but we can never consider them apart. 
The Father is the Supreme Ruler of the Uni- 
verse; the Son is the Redeemer and Savior 
of sinful man; and the Spirit is the Executive 
of the God-head in the practical application 
of redemption to man. The three always 
think, will, and act in harmony. 

Gospel; good news, glad tidings, joyful proc- 
lamation. The essence of the good news is, 
that, whereas, Jesus Christ hath put away, sin 
by the sacrifice of Himself (Heb. 9:26), and 
hath redeemed man from the curse of the law, 
(Gal. 3:13); therefore, God the Father pro- 
claims free pardon and full forgiveness of sins 
to every true penitent who believes on His 
Son, with the additional benefits of eternal 
life in His Son, and an eternal home in Heaven. 
It is variously designated the Gospel of the 
Kingdom, (Matt. 4:23; 24:14; Mk. 1:14)'; the 
Gospel of the grace of God, (Acts 20:24); the 
Gospel of God, (Rom. 1:1; 15:19); Gospel to 
be preached, (Mk. 16:15; 1 Cor. 1:17); the 
Gospel, the power of God, (Rom. 1:16); be- 
gotten through the Gospel (as instrument), 
(1 Cor. 4 : 15) ; live by the Gospel, (1 Cor. 9:14); 
the light of the Gospel of the glory of Christ, 
(2 Cor. 4:4); the Gospel of your salvation, 
(Eph. 1:13); the word of the truth of the Gos- 
pel, (Col. 1:5; 2:5); our Gospel came in power, 
(1 Thess. 1:5). Chief qualifications for preach- 
ing the Gospel, (Acts 1:8; Gal. 1:16). 

Grace; God's grace to man is seen in the 
bestowment of His Son to redeem him from 
sin, death, and Hell (John 3:16), and the be- 
stowment with Him also of every other bless- 
ing needful to this great end, (Rom. 8:32). 
Grace and truth came through Jesus Christ, 
(John 1:17); justified freely by His grace, 
(Rom. 3:24); grace did much more abound, 
(Rom. 5:20); grace reigned to eternal life, 
(v. 21) ; not under law, but under grace, (Rom. 
6:14); the election of grace, (Rom. 11:5, 6); 
My grace is sufficient for you, (2 Cor. 12:9); 
by grace ye are saved, (Eph. 2:5); riches of 



His grace, (Eph. 2:7). The word is sometimes 
used to denote the effect of the Gospel upon 
the characters of those who receive it; this 
grace also (the grace of liberal giving), (2 
Cor. 8:6); give grace to the hearers, (Eph. 
4:29); justified by His grace^ (Tit. 3:7); come 
boldly to the throne of grace, (Heb. 4:16); 
heart established by grace, (Heb. 13:9). Sal- 
vation is by grace from first to last. 

Grow; increase in stature — especially in a 
spiritual sense. Grow into a holy temple, 
(Eph. 2:21); grow up into Him, (Eph. 4:15); 
milk of the Word, that they may grow, (1 Pet. 
2:2); grow in grace, (2 Pet. 3:18). Conditions 
of growth: Obedience, prayer, faith — leading 
one to the Spirit-filled life with Christ en- 
throned within, (John 14:15, 21, 23; 15:4-10). 

Guide; God is the guide of His people, (Psa. 
31:3; 32:8; 48:14; 73:24: Isa. 58:11; Lu. 1:79; 
1 Thess. 3:11). The Holy Spirit guideth the 
fully yielded and obedient Christian into all 
truth, (John 16:13). Guidance comes through 
the word, (Psa. 119:105); through the Spirit, 
(John 16:13); and through His providence, 
opening or closing doors before His people. 



H. 



Happy; a joyful and peaceful state of mind 
growing out of one's right relationship to God 
and man. Who are the happy, (Matt. 5:3-11; 
John 13:17; Rom. 14:22; Jas. 5:11; 1 Pet. 3:14; 
Prov. 3:11, etc.). The more one's life is yield- 
ed to God, the happier he will become; be- 
cause, in this event, all the elements leading 
to unrest .will be canceled from one's being, 
and the Prince of Peace will rule in him. 

Hate. The things we ought to hate; evil, 
(Psa. 97:10); every false way, (Psa. 119:104); 
vain thoughts, (v. 113) ; we are to hate the 
sin in ourselves and in all others, (Lu. 14:26). 
The world hates Christians, (John 15:18, 19; 
1 John 3:13; John 17:14). He that hates his 
brother is a murderer (1 John 3:15), and walks 
in darkness, (1 John 2:11). Hatred comes 
from Satan; and love comes from God. If 
we would get all hatred out of our being, we 
must let the God of love abide in us. 

Heal, Healing, Divine Healing. Sin brought 
sickness and all the sorrows of earth, (Gen. 
3); Satan, the agent that introduced sin, (vs. 
3, 4) ; Satan, through his demonlan hosts, min- 
isters disease to people, (Lu. 13:16; Acts 
10:38). Healing, provided in the atonement of 
Christ, (Isa. 53:3-5; Matt. 8:17; 1 Pet. 2:24). 
Healing a part of the Gospel itself: 1. The 
twelve had power to heal the sick, (Matt. 
10:1; Lu. 9:1); 2. The seventy had the same 
gift, (Lu. 10:1; 9); 3. Healing in the great 
commission of our Lord, (Matt. 28:19, 20; Mk. 
16:15-1.8); 4. The anointing service with 
prayer, (Jas. 5:14, 15). Those who get God's 
best for their bodies will realize healing of 
all their diseases, (Psa. 103:3); rejuvenation, 
(v. 5); quickening by the Spirit, (Rom. 8:11); 
strength, (Isa. 40:31); health, (3 John 2). How 
to realize healing: 1. Yield yourself wholly 



APPENDIX D 



15 



to God to do His perfect will, (Rom. 6:13, 19; 
12:1; Matt. 16:24; 2 Cor. 8:5); 2. Learn to 
live the Spirit-filled life; 3. Come into perma- 
nent heart-union with Christ; 4. Abide in Him, 
He in you; and draw your life from Him daily. 

Heart; the seat of life, motive, character, 
will. God prizes a broken and contrite heart, 
(Psa. 3:18; 51:8, 17; Isa. 57:15; 6G:2); heart, 
deceitful, (Jer. 17:9); stony, (Ezek. 11:19); 
a heart of flesh, (same) ; a new heart, (Ezek. 
36:20); keep thy heart, (Prov. 4:23); one's 
heart is with his treasure, (Matt. 6:21); did 
not our heart burn, (Lu. 24:32) ; heart troubled, 
(John 14:1); pure in heart, (Matt. 5:8); with 
purpose of heart, (Acts 11:23); believe with 
the heart, (Rom. 10:10); the hidden man of 
the heart, (1 Pet. 3:4); Christ dwelling in the 
heart, (Eph. 3:17). 

Heaven; the New Jerusalem, (Rev. 21:1-4, 
10-27; Rev. 22:1-5). Inheritance ... re- 
served in Heaven, (1 Pet. 1:4); who will en- 
ter Heaven, (see John 3:3, 5; 1 Pet. 1:5; Rev. 
7:14; 14:13; 22:14); who shall not enter, (Psa. 
9:17; Rev. 22:15; 20:15; 21:8; John 3:36 [lat- 
ter clause]); the occupation and blessedness 
of the inhabitants, (Rev. 22:3-5). Are you 
ready to enter this Blessed Abode? 

Hell; the place of the wicked after the 
judgment, (Matt. 5:29, 30; 10:28; 23:15, 33 
Mk. 9:43, 45; Lu. 12:5). "The Gehenna of the 
fire" (Matt. 5:22) or "the Hell of fire," seems 
to be the same as "the lake of fire" into which 
the beast and false prophet are to be cast, 
(Rev. 19:20), where also Satan (Rev. 20:10), 
and all whose names are not found in the 
Lamb's Book of Life will be cast, (v. 15). 
There is no hint that those who are cast into 
this lake will ever be taken out! 

Holiness; purity, Christliness. [Holiness 
and sanctiflcation, being translations of the 
same Greek words, are identical in meaning.] 
Holiness, or sanctiflcation, is the Christ-life, 
or "new man," in the believer, built up upon 
the ruins of the old man, (Eph. 4:22, 24; Gal 
2:20; 2 Cor. 4:10, 11). Holiness of character 
Is the grand ideal towards which the Spirit 
filled, Christ-indwelt believer should press 
(Heb. 12:14; 2 Cor. 7:1; 1 Thess. 3:13; 5:23, 
etc.); and the ideal toward which the Father 
is concerned to bring us, ' (Heb. 12:10; John 
15:2). The Spirit's agency in building up a 
holy character is seen in 2 Thess. 2:13 
Cor. 3:18; Gal. 5:22, 23; 1 Pet. 1:2); the 
truth, or word of God, the instrument, (John 
17:17, also 2 Thess. 2:13). The Son supplies 
the ideal (2 Cor. 3:18); and the material, so 
to speak (John 6:56), out of which the be- 
liever is built up. The believer's part in this 
great work is, whole-hearted obedience, prayer 
faith, study of the Word, living for the glory 
of God, dying to live, and feeding on the LiV' 
ing Bread. 

Holy; this word is the basis of the noun 
holiness. The word holy is used many times 
in the New Testament Scriptures; and is ap- 
plied to the Father, (John 17:11); to the Son, 
(Acts 3:14); and to the Spirit, (Matt. 28:19); 



it is applied to each true believer, (Phil. 4:21); 
and to believers in general, and translated 
saints, (see 1 Cor. 1:2; Matt. 27:52; Acts 9:13, 
32, 41, etc.). Believers are commanded to be 
holy, (1 Pet. 1:5). One obeys this command 
as he wholly yields to Christ in perfect obedi- 
ence and trust, living the Spirit-filled life. 
The verb to sanctify, or make holy, is used 
in the verbal and participial form about twen- 
ty-four times; and it has in the New Testament 
Scriptures no less than three distinct uses: 
eiz.: 1. As applied to Christ, and used in the 
Old Testament sense of to devote or to sepa- 
rate, (see John 10:36; 17:19); 2. To denote the 
judicial standing of the believer viewed in 
Christ, (1 Cor. 1:2, 30; 6:11); and, 3. To de- 
note Christ-likeness, as seen in the noun holi- 
ness, or sanctiflcation. This is the highest use 
of the word, and the one about which we 
should be intensely concerned, (2 Cor. 7:1; 
1 Thess 3:13; 5:23; Eph. 4:24; Heb. 12:10, 
14, etc., etc.). 

Hope; a compound of desire and expecta- 
tion; hope, therefore, has to do with future 
promised good. Hope deferred, (Prov. 13:12); 
hope of the unjust perishes, (Prov. 11:7); the 
righteous have hope in death, (Prov. 14:32); 
chasten a son while there is hope, (Prov. 
19:18); have hope toward God, (Acts 24:15); 
approval works hope, (Rom. 5:4); hope makes 
not ashamed, (v. 5) ; saved by hope, (Rom. 
8:24); we might have hope, (Rom. 15:4); 
faith, hope, love, (1 Cor. 13:12); hope of right- 
eousness, (Gal. 5:5); no hope, (Eph. 2:12); 
not moved away from the hope of the Gos- 
pel, (Col. 1:23); Christ in you, the hope of 
glory, (Col. 1:27); for a helmet, the hope of 
salvation, (1 Thess. 5:8); hope as an anchor 
of the soul, (Heb. 6:19); Christ Jesus our 
hope, (1 Tim. 1:1); looking for the blessed 
hope, (Tit. 2:13); he that has this hope puri- 
fies himself, (1 John 3:3). 

Hospitality; kindness to strangers, including 
their entertainment. Commanded, (Rom. 
12:13; Heb. 13:2); given to hospitality, (Tit. 
1:8; 1 Tim. 3:2); using hospitality one to an- 
other, (1 Pet. 4:9). Unstinted and unpreten- 
tious hospitality is an excellent Christian 
grace, that should be cultivated. Nor should 
it be withheld from the poor, (see Isa. 
58:7-10). 

Humble; lowly; lowliness before God, meek- 
ness. Jesus was "lowly in heart," (Matt. 
11:29); brother of low degree, (Jas. 1:9); giv- 
eth grace to the humble, (Jas. 4:6); gird your- 
selves with a lowly spirit, (1 Pet. 5:5); see 
also 2 Cor. 10:1; 7:6); lowliness of mind, 
(Phil. 2:3). 

Hunger; used both physically and spiritual- 
ly. They shall not hunger nor thirst, (Isa. 
49:10; 58:7, 11); happy are those who hunger 
and thirst, (Matt. 5:6; see also Lu. 6:21, 25); 
shall never thirst, (6:35; 4:14); if he hunger, 
feed him, (Rom. 12:20); He will fill the hun- 
gry, (Psa. 107:9); God giveth food to the 
hungry, (Psa. 146:7); how to be full and how 
to be hungry, (Phil. 4:12); they shall hunger 



i.6 



APPENDIX D 



no more, (Rev. 7:16). When we reach our 
Heavenly Home, we will hunger and thirst no 
more forever. 

I. 

Immerse, immersion; the ordinance in which 
the penitent believer publicly puts on Christ 
as his Savior and Lord. He that believes and 
is immersed, (Mk. 16:16); immersing them, 
(Matt. 28:19); repent and be immersed, (Acts 
2:38). See notes on Matt. 3:11; Mk. 1:8; Lu 
3:16; Rom. 6:4; Col. 2:12. 

Inherit; to possess as an heir, or in line 
of descent. The meek shall inherit the earth, 
(Psa. 37:11; Matt. 5:5); shall inherit eternal 
life, (Matt. 19:29) ; inherit the kingdom pre 
pared for you, (Matt. 25:34); what shall I do 
to inherit eternal life, (Mk. 10:17); flesh and 
blood shall not inherit, (1 Cor. 15:50; Gal 
5:21); through faith inherit the promises, 
(Heb. 6:12); inherit a blessing, (1 Pet. 3:9) 
inherit all things, (Rev. 21:7). 

Inheritance; the portion possessed. The 
Lord is the portion of my inheritance, (Psa 
16:5); the Lord shall choose our inheritance, 
(Psa. 47:4); wisdom is good with an inherit- 
ance, (Ecc. 7:11); earnest of our inheritance 
(Eph.l:ll); inheritance in the Kingdom of 
Christ, (Eph. 5:5); inheritance of the saints, 
(Col. 1:12); reward of the inheritance, (Col. 
3:24); eternal inheritance, (Heb. 9:15; 1 Pet. 
1:4). 

Intercession; a species of prayer in which 
one party intercedes for another. Jesus made 
intercession for transgressors, (Isa. 53:12); 
Christ now maketh intercession for His peo- 
ple, (Heb. 7:25; Rom. 8:34); the Holy Spirit 
maketh intercession for God's children, (Rom. 
8:26); prayer . . . intercession to be made 
for all men, (1 Tim. 2:1). God needs real in 
tercessors, that can co-operate mightily with 
Christ in furtherance of His Kingdom. 



Jesus; the God-Man, (Isa. 9:6); existed be- 
fore he put on humanity, (2 Cor. 8:9; John 
1:1, 2); all things were made through Him, 
(John 1:3, Col. 1:16. 17); His incarnation, 
(John 1:14; Matt. 1:18-21; Lu. 1:35); He was 
as the Lamb slain in the plan of God, (Rev. 
13:8; see also ch. 17:8); He was the ransom 
provided, (Matt. 20:28; 1 Tim. 2:6); the vicari- 
ous Sufferer, (Isa. 53:4, 6; 2 Cor. 5:14, 21; 1 
Pet. 2:24; 3:18); He is our life, (John 14:6; 
11:25; Col. 3:4). 

Jesus Christ; is Jesus the Anointed, or Jesus 
filled with the Holy Spirit. 

Joy; the joy of the Lord your strength, 
(Neh. 8:10); fulness of joy, (Psa. 16:11); joy 
Cometh in the morning, (Psa. 30:5); God, my 
exceeding joy, (Psa. 43:4); rejoiced with great 
joy, (Matt. 2:10); enter into the joy, (Matt. 
25:21); joy over one sinner that repents. (Lu. 
15:7); your joy may be made full, (John 
15:11; also 16:24); sorrow turned into joy, 
(John 16:20); your joy no one takes from you, I 



(16:22); My joy fulfilled in themselves, 
(17:13); joy in the Holy Spirit, (Rom. 14:17); 
helpers of your joy, (2 Cor. 1:24); joy an ele- 
ment in the fruit of the Spirit, (Gal. 5:22, 
23). To have fulness of joy all the time, we 
must be full of the Holy Spirit, and have Christ 
enthroned in our hearts. 

Judge, the; Jesus Christ is made the judge 
of our race, (John 5:22; Matt. 11:27; 28:18; 
3:35; 17:2; Acts 17:31; 1 Pet. 4:5; 2 Tim. 
4:1; Acts 10:42, etc.). 

Judgments; 1. In a representative sense, we 
were judged, condemned, and executed in the 
person of our Substitute, when Christ died for 
us on the cross, (Isa. 53:4, 5, 6; Rom. 6:6; 
3:25; 4:25; 5:6; 8:32; 2 Cor. 5:14, 21; Gal. 
1:4; 1 Pet. 2:24; 3:18). 

2. When the sinner, awakened to a sense of 
his great guilt and peril, takes refuge in Christ 
by faith, he is judged, and assigned to Christ, 
(Rom. 8:1; 7:4; 10:4). 

3. The Christian in the spirit of deep con- 
secration, judges and condemns himself, (Matt. 
1G:24; Lu. 14:26, 27; 1 Cor. 11:31); and is 
ready to execute "the old man," or self-life, 
ever after this, (2 Cor. 4:10, 11; Gal. 2:20; 
5:24), 

4. The judgment of rewards for the saints, 
(Acts 17:31; Rom. 2:16; 2 Cor. 5:10; Heb. 
9:27). 

5. The judgment of the nations during the 
millennium, (Matt. 25:31-46; 16:27; 19:28; 
Zech. 14:5; Jude 14:15; 2 Thess. 1:7-10; Rev. 
1:7, etc.). 

The White Throne Judgment, (Rev. 
20:11-15). 

N. B. Judgments 2 and 3 are individual; 
while 1, 4, 5 and 6 are for classes as well as 
for individuals. Class 4 seems to be for the 
raptured and other saints who constitute a 
part of the bride; and it comes soon after the 
rapture. Class 5 comes during the millennium; 
and class 6 comes after the millennium. 

Justification; the state of being accounted 
just. Justification is a sovereign act of God 
the Father whereby He accounts righteous the 
penitent believer who trusts in Christ as his 
Savior. 

The ground of justification is the vicarious 
sufferings of Christ, (1 Cor. 15:3; Rom. 5:9; 
Heb. -9:26). Hence it is not of works, (Acts 
13:39; Rom. 3:20, 28; Gal. 2:16; 3:11; Eph. 
, 9); btit by faith [a faith that identifies 
the penitent with the Christ who died on the 
cross to put away sin], (Rom. 5:1; 3:28, 30; 
Rom. 1:17; Gal. 3:13, 14, etc.); justification 
as related to Christ's resurrection, (Rom. 
4:25); justification as related to works, (Jas. 
?: 24-26). 



Kindness; gentleness of manner with deeds 
corresponding. The Greek word is suggestive 
of utility and goodness. It appears as the 
fifth element in "the fruit of the Spirit," (Gal. 
5:22, 23). God ... is of great kindness, 
(Neh. 9:17; Joel 2:13); law of kindness, (Prov. 



APPENDIX D 



17 



31:26); with everlasting kindness, (Isa. 54:8); 
a heart of kindness, (Col. 3:12); brotherly 
kindness, (2 Pet. 1:7); love is kind, (1 Cor. 
13:4); kindness to one another, (Eph. 4:32). 
Kindness will increase in the Christian, as the 
new life grows in him. 

King; Jesus Christ offered Himself to be 
the King of the Jews, (Zech. 9:9; Matt. 21:5; 
John 12:15); but He was rejected, and cruci- 
fied. He is now King in the hearts of some 
of His people, (Eph. 3:17; Col. 1:27); He is 
also King of the spiritual realm, dispensmg 
life to all who trust Him; and is to be "King 
of kings and Lord of lords," 1 (Tim. 6:15 
Rev. 17:14; Zech. 14:9). He will reign for 
1,000 years on the earth, (Rev. 20:4). 

Kingdom; Christ is King of the spiritual 
Kingdom; and people enter this Kingdom 
through the new birth, (John 1:13; 3:3, 5, 6) 
He now rules as King in the hearts of Spirit- 
filled believers; and, together with the Father 
and the Holy Spirit, He is building up char 
acters to rule with Him in the Millennial 
Kingdom. 

Know; Ye shall know the truth, and the 
truth shall make you free, (John 8:32); this 
is life eternal, that they may know Thee 

. and Jesus Christ whom Thou hast sent, 
(17:3); that I may know Him, and the power 
of His resurrection, (Phil. 3:10) ; we know that 
we have passed out of death into life, because 
we love the brethren, (1 John 3:14); then 
shall we know, if we follow on to 
know the Lord, (Hosea 6:3). Through 
thorough obedience, earnest prayer, and 
unwavering faith, the Christian may come 
to realize the indwelling Spirit (John 
14:15-17), and come to know that Christ 
is in him, (v. 20; see also Eph. 3:16, 17); 
then, through persistent obedience, he comes 
to realize the manifested Christ, (v. 21) ; and, 
later, he can realize the presence of the F» 
ther also. It is unspeakably blessed to know 
that one is living in harmony and fellowship 
with the Holy Trinity! 



Labor; any work done at the bidding of the 
Lord, and done as to the Lord. Why labor 
for that which satisfies not, (Tsa. 55:2); your 
labor is not in vain, (1 Cor. 15:58); labor of 
love, (1 Thess. 1:3); God will not forget your 
labor, (Heb. 6:10); rest from labor, (Rev. 
14:13); labor not to be rich, (Prov. 23:4); la- 
iDor not for meat that perishes, (John 6:27); 
know those who labor, (1 Thess. 5:12); honor 
those who labor, (1 Tim. 5:17); let us labor 
to enter into rest, (Heb. 4:11); other men la 
bor, (.John 4:38); I labor more abundantly 
(1 Cor. 15:10); labor in prayer, (Col. 4:12); 
laborer worthy of his hire, (Lu. 10:7) ; laborers 
together with God, (1 Cor. 3:9). Effective la- 
bor for the Lord follows a personal Pentecost. 

Lamb; God will provide a lamb, (Gen. 22:8); 
Jesus brought as a lamb to slaughter, (Isa. 
53:7); behold the Lamb of God, (John 1:29); 



feed My lambs, (John 21:15); as a lamb with- 
out blemish, (1 jfet. 1:19; Ex. 12:5); worthy 
is the Lamb, (Rev. 5:12); hide . . . from 
the wrath of the Lamb, (Rev. 6:16); made 
white in the blood of the Lamb, (Rev. 7:14); 
Lamb in midst of the throne, (Rev. 7:17); 
Lamb slain from the founding of a world, 
(Rev. 13:8). 

Law; God's law given to Adam, (Gen. 2:16, 
17); to Noah, (Gen. 9:3-6); given through 
Moses, (Ex. 19:20; Deut. chs. 5, 6); the law 
required perfect obedience, (Deut. 27:26; Gal. 
3:1); all condemned by, (3:10-20); fulfilled 
by Christ, (Matt. 5:17; Rom. 5:18); Chris- 
tians redeemed from, (John 1:17; Acts 13:39; 
Rom. 10:4; Gal. 3:13). The Levitical law, and 
law of sacrifices (Ex. 21, Lev. 1, etc.), abol- 
ished by Christ, (Acts 15:24-30; Gal. chs. 2-6; 
Eph. 2:15; Col. 2:14; Heb. ch. 7). The moral 
law the Christian is expected to keep through 
the power of the new life now working in him, 
(Rom. 8:1-4). 

Life; existentje in the presence and under 
the approval of God; all else, in the Scripture 
view, is death. Thou wilt show the path of 
life, (Psa. 16:11); I asked life of Thee, (21:4); 
His favor is life, (30:5); with Thee is the 
fountain of life, (36:9); God holdeth our soul 
in life, (66:9); he who finds Me finds life, 
(Prov. 8:35); a man's life consists not in the 
abundance of things he possesses, (Lu. 12:15); 
in Him was life, (John 1:4); eternal life, 
(John 3:16): he that believes on the Son has 
everlasting life, (v. 36); that ye may have 
life, (John 10:10); I am the bread of life, 
(John 6:48); ye have no life . . . except 
ye eat, (v. 53); Christ who is our life, (CoL 
3:4; see also John 14:6). His life is given 
to the penitent believer in regeneration; and 
it grows and matures in one, as he follows 
the Lord fully, lives the Spirit-filled life, en- 
thrones Christ in his heart, and follows Him 
through the crucifixion, (2 Cor. 4:10, 11; Gal. 
2:20; Phil. 3:10). 

Light; Jesus is the light of the world, (John 
8:12; Ch. 1:4, 5, 9; also 9:5; 12:35, 36, 46; 
14:6); ye are the light of the world, (Matt. 
5:14; also Phil. 2:15). [True Christians re- 
flect the light of Jesus before the world; and 
this light becomes the more brilliant, as the 
Christ-life in them becomes more developed]; 
let your light so shine, (Matt. 5:16); turn 
them from darkness to light, (Acts 26:18); 
put on the armor of light, (Rom. 13:12); walk 
as children of light, (Eph. 5:8); ye are sons 
of light, (1 Thess. 5:5); the Lamb is the 
light thereof, (Rev. 21:23). The light begins 
in the believer in regeneration, (John 1:13; 
3:3, 5, 6) ; is strengthened and intensified 
through the infilling Spirit, the indwelling 
Christ, and the fostering care of the Father, 
(John 14:17-23; Eph. 3:16-19). 

Live; Hear, and your soul shall live, (Isa. 
55:3); to hear is to repent, (Acts 3:19), and 
believe, (Acts 16:19); the just shall live by 
faith, (Rom. 1:17); not live by bread alone, 
(Matt. 4:4); because I live, ye shall live also. 



18 



APPENDIX D 



(John 14:19); in Him we live, (Acts 17:28); 
live of the Gospel, (1 Cor. 9:14); should not 
live to themselves, (2 Cor. 5:15); as dying, 
and behold we live, (2 Cor. 6:9); live in the 
faith of the Son of God, (Gal. 2:20); if we 
live in the Spirit, (Gal. 5:25); to live is Christ, 
(Phil. 1:21). , .^^ ^ 

Love; as a verb; Jesus Christ, the gift of 
the Father's love, (John 3:16; Rom. 5:8; 1 John 
4:9); love one result of the new birth, (1 
John 3:14); he that loves not knows not God, 
(1 John 4:8); we should love God with all 
the powers of our being, (Matt. 22:37; Lu. 
10-27); we should love our enemies, (Matt. 
5:44; Lu. 6:27; Rom. 12:14, 20); we should 
love our neighbor as ourselves, (Matt. 19:19): 
we should love one another, (John 13:34; 
15:12, 17). . ,. , 

Love; a noun; continue ye in My love 
(John 15:9); greater love has no man than 
this, (John 15:13); let love be without hy- 
pocrisy, (Rom. 12:9); love is the fulfiUmg of 
the law, (Rom. 13:10); the love of Christ con- 
strains us, (2 Cor. 5:14); faith which works 
by love, (Gal. 5:6); fruit of the Spirit is love, 
(Gal. 5:22, 23); through love serve one an- 
other, (Gal. 5:13); no amount of knowledge, 
gifts, and liberality amount to anything in the 
absence of love, (1 Cor. 13:1-3); love personi- 
fied in 1 Cor. 13:4-8, showing how a person 
perfected in love will act. A person of this 
type will be most likely to have every other 
element entering into God's ideal for His peo- 
ple. 



Meek; mild, gentle,' submissive, non-self- 
assertive. The meek shall be satisfied, (Psa. 
22:26); the meek will He guide in judgment, 
(Psa. 25:9); the Lord lifteth up the meek, 
(Psa. 147:6); beautify the meek with salva- 
tion, (Psa. 149:4); meek shall increase their 
joy, (Isa. 29:19); meek shall inherit the earth, 
(Matt. 5:5); thy King cometh, meek, (Matt 
21:5); I am meek and lowly in heart, (Matt 
11:29); ornament of a meek and quiet spirit 
(1 Pet 3:4). 

Meekness; come in the spirit of meekness, 
(1 Cor. 4:21); beseech you in the meekness 
of Christ, (2 Cor. 10:1); an element in the 
fruit of the Spirit, (Gal. 5:22, 23); restore in 
the spirit of meekness, (Gal. 6:1); with low- 
liness and meekness, (Eph. 4:2); put on meek- 
ness, (Col. 3:12); follow after faith . . 
meekness, (1 Tim. 6:11); in meekness instruct 
ing those, (2 Tim. 2:25); showing all meek 
ness, (Tit. 3:2); receive with meekness, (Jas 
1:21). Meekness is very closely related to 
humility; and it will increase with the growth 
of the Christ-life in the believer. 

Mercy; compassion; mercies; benefactions 
blessings, etc. The Lord is of great mercy, 
(Numb. 14:18); plenteous in mercy, (Psa. 
86:5); I desired mercy, not sacrifice, (Hos. 
6:6); His mercy is on those who fear Him, 
(Lu. 1:50); vessels of mercy, (Rom. 9:23) 



glorify God for His mercy, (Rom. 15:9); as 
we have received mercy, (2 Cor. 4:1); grace, 
mercy and peace, (Tit. 1:4); judgment with- 
out mercy, (Jas. 2:13); looking for the mercy,. 
(Jude 21); we may obtain mercy, (Heb. 4:16). 
Merciful, (Matt 5:7; Lu. 6:36; Heb. 2:17, 
etc.). 

Minister; a servant, a deacon. Let him be 
your minister, (Matt. 20:26); to make you a 
minister, (Acts 26:16); a minister of Jesus 
Christ to the Gentiles, (Rom. 15:16); I was 
made a minister, (Eph. 3:7); minister to the 
saints, (Rom. 15:25); minister to them in car- 
nal things, (Rom. 15:27); shall be a good 
minister, (1 Tim. 4:6). God calls and quali- 
fies His ministers with spiritual power and 
wisdom for the work which He gives them to 
do. 

Mystery; a secret which human reason 
could never fathom, but it must be revealed, 
(Matt 13:11; Rom. 11:25; Col. 1:26); wisdom 
of God in a mystery, (1 Cor. 2:7); stewards- 
of the mystery of God, (1 Cor. 4:1); under- 
stand all mysteries, (1 Cor. 13:2); I show you 
a mystery, (1 Cor. 15:51); make known the 
mystery, (Eph. 1:9; 3:3, 4); stewardship of 
the mystery, (Eph. 3:9); great mystery, (Eph. 
5:32); make known to me the mystery of the 
Gospel, (Eph. 6:19); mystery that has been 
hidden, (Col. 1:26); mystery defined to be, 
Christ in you, the hope of glory, (v. 27) ; full 
knowledge of the mystery, (Col. 2:2); mys- 
tery of iniquity [Satan's deep-laid schemes], 
(1 Thess. 2:7); holding the mysteries of the 
faith, (1 Tim. 2:9); great is the mystery of 
godliness, (1 Tim. 3:16); mystery of God fin- 
ished, (Rev. 10:7); mystery, Babylon, (Rev. 
17:5). It is the prerogative of the Holy Spirit 
to unfold the mysteries of the incarnation, 
vicarious death, the atoning sacrifice of Christ, 
the new birth, the indwelling Christ, the doc- 
trines and provisions of the Gospel, the rap- 
ture, and the wiles of Satan. Human learn- 
ing is unable to grasp these mysteries; hence, 
the necessity, if one would be a real teacher 
of the Gospel, of being filled, guided and taught 
by the Spirit. 

Miracles; something done that causes won- 
der or astonishment on the part of beholders. 
Two blind men cured (Capernaum), (Matt. 
9:27-31); dumb spirit cast out (Capernaum), 
(Matt 9:32, 33); tribute money provided (Ca- 
pernaum), (Matt 17:24-27); deaf and dumb 
man cured (L. of Galilee); (Mark 7:31-37); 
blind man cured (Bethsaida), (Mark 8:22-26): 
Jesus passes unseen through the crowd (Naz- 
areth), (Luke 4:28-30); draught of fishes (L. 
of Galilee), (Luke 5:1-11); widow's son raised 
(Nain), (Luke 7:11-17); woman's infirmity 
cured (Peraea) , (Luke 13 : 11-17) ; man's dropsy 
cured' (Peraea), (Luke 14:1-6); ten lepers 
cleansed (Samaria), (Lu. 17:11-19); Malchus' 
ear healed (Gethsemane), (Lu. 22:50-51); water 
made wine (Cana), (John 2:1-11); fever of 
nobleman's son cured (Cana), (John 4:46-54); 
impotent man cured (Jerusalem), (John 5:1-9); 
Jesus passes unseen through the crowd (In 



APPENDIX D 



19 



Temple), (John 8:59); man born blind cured 
(Jerusalem), (John 9:1-7); Lazarus raised 
from the dead (Bethany), (John 11:38-44); 
draught of 153 fishes (L. of Galilee), John 
21:1-14); Syro-Phoenician's daughter cured 
(District of Tyre), (Matt. 15:28; Mk. 7:24); 
4,000 fed (L. of Galilee), (Matt. 15:32; Mk. 
8:1); fig-tree blasted (Mt. of Olives), (Matt. 
21:18; Mk. 11:12); centurion's palsied servant 
cured (Capernaum), (Matt. 8:5; Luke 7:2-10); 
blind and dumb demoniac cured (Galilee), 
(Matt. 12:22; Lu. 11:14); demoniac in syna- 
gogue cured (Capernaum), (Mk. 1:23; Lu. 
4:33); Peter's mother-in-law cured (Caperna- 
um), (Matt. 8:14; Mk. 1:30; Lu. 4:38); temp- 
est stilled (L. of Galilee), (Matt. 8:23; Mk. 
4:37; Lu. 8:22); demoniacs cured (Gadara), 
Matt. 8:28; Mk. 5:1; Lu. 8:26); leper cured 
(Capernaum), Matt. 8:2; Mk. 1:40; Lu. 5:12); 
Jairus' daughter raised (Capernaum), (Matt. 
9:23; Mk. 5:23; Lu. 8:41); woman's issue of 
blood cured (Capernaum), (Matt. 9:20; Mk. 
5:25; Lu. 8:43); a paralytic cured (Caperna- 
um), (Matt. 9:2; Mk. 2:3; Lu. 5:18); man's 
withered hand cured (Galilee), (Matt. 12:10; 
Mk. 3:1; Lu. 6:6); demon cast out of boy— 
(perhaps near Caesarea Philippi), Matt. 
17:14; Mk. 9:14; Lu. 9:37); two blind men 
cured (Jericho), (Matt. 20:29; Mk. 10:46; Lu. 
18:35); Christ walks on sea, (Matt. 14:25; 
Mk. 6:48; John 6:15); 5,000 fed (L. of Galilee), 
(Matt. 14:15; Lu. 9:10; Mk. 6:30; John 6:1-14). 



N. 



Need; something necessary to well-being. 
Have no need of repentance, (Lu. 15:7); they 
that are whole need not a physician, (Matt. 
9:12); ye have no need, (1 John 2:27); rich, 
and have no need, (Rev. 3:17); had no need of 
sun, (Rev. 21:23) ; they have no need of a lamp, 
(Rev. 22:5); to give to him that has need, 
(Eph. 4:28); one thing is needful, (Lu. 10:42). 
The sinner's great need is Christ, and the 
Christian needs to be "filled unto the fulness 
of God." 

Neighbor; primarily one living near; but 
really one's neighbor is the person one has it 
in his power to help. Not bear false witness 
against, (Ex. 20:16); not defraud your neigh- 
bor, (Levit. 19:13); shall rebuke your neigh- 
bor, (Levit. 19:17); shall love your neighbor 
as yourself, (Matt. 19:19; 22:39; Rom. 13:9; 
Gal. 5:14; Jas. 2:9); who is my neighbor, (Lu. 
10:29-36); works no ill to his neighbor, (Rom. 
13:10); please his neighbor, (Rom. 15:2). 
When Christ rules in our hearts, we will love 
our neighbor as ourselves. 



Obey. Disobedience to the command of God 
in Gen. 3:3 brought sin and death to our race, 
(Gen., 3d ch.; see also Rom. 5:12-21). Under 
the Gospel, obedience has a most important 
place. Repent and be converted, (Acts 3:19); 
believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, (Acts 16:31); 



present your bodies a living sacrifice, (Rom. 
12: 1, 2); be filled with the Spirit, (Eph. 5:18); 
abide in Me, and I in you, (John 15:4, 5); put 
off the old man, (Eph. 4:22); put on the new 
man, (Eph. 4:24); make dead your members, 
(Col. 3:5); put away all these, (Col. 3:8). 
These are examples of obedience, in which the 
Word itself does not appear. Note these, 
where it does appear: Acts 5:29; Rom. 6:16; 
Eph. 6:1; Col. 3:21; Tit. 3:1; Heb. 5:9; 13:17; 
1 Pet. 3:1; 4:17; Rom. 5:19; 1 Pet. 1:2. 

Overcome; to conquer, to subdue, to triumph 
over. One's enemies are the flesh (including 
self), the world and the Devil). To overcome 
these constitutes the great task of the Chris- 
tian. Jesus says, "I have overcome the world," 
(John 16:33); be not overcome by evil, but 
overcome evil with good, (Rom. 12:21); ye have 
overcome the evil one, (1 John 2:13, 14); he 
that overcomes, (Rev. 2:7, 11, 26; Rev. 3:5, 
12, 21; 21:7). How to overcome: One must 
open the door of his heart, and let the Savior 
in, (Rev. 3:20); live the crucified life with 
Jesus, (2 Cor. 4:10, 11; Gal. 2:20; 5:24; Eph. 
4:24; Phil. 3:10); put on the new man (Eph. 
4:24), and let the Spirit produce His fruit 
within, (Gal. 5:22, 23). 



Parable; in general, the illustration of some 
spiritual truth by an assumed, familiar fact or 
custom; the object being to teach spiritual 
truth by illustration. 

When the Jews rejected Christ's teachings. 
He taught in parables; and explained their 
meaning to His disciples privately: 

Tares [from a boat] (L. of Galilee), (Matt. 
13:1-24); hidden treasure (L. of Galilee), 
(Matt. 13:44); pearl of great price (L. of Gali- 
lee), (Matt. 13:45, 46) ; drag net (L. of Galilee), 
(Matt. 13:47); unmerciful servant (Caperna- 
um), (Matt. 18:23); laborers in vineyard 
(in Temple), (Matt. 20:1-17); father and two 
sons (in Temple), (Matt. 21:28-32); king's sons 
marriage (in Temple), (Matt. 22:1-15); ten 
virgins (Mt. of Olives), (Matt. 25:1-13); tal- 
ents (Mt. of Olives), (Matt. 25:14-30); sheep 
and goats (Mt. of Olives), (Matt. 25:31-46); 
growth of seed (L. of Galilee), (Mk. 4:26-30); 
household watching (Mt. of Olives), (Mk. 
13:34, 35); two debtors (Galilee), (Lu. 7:36- 
50); good Samaritan (in Temple), (Lu. 
10:25-37); friend at midnight (near Jerusa- 
lem), (Lu. 11:5-8); rich fool (Galilee), (Lu. 
12:16-21); servants watching (Galilee), (Lu, 
12:35-40); steward on trial (Galilee), Lu, 
12:42-48); barren fig-tree (Galilee), (Lu. 
13:6-9); great supper (Peraea), (Lu. 14:16-24); 
tower and warring king (Peraea), (Lu. 
14:28-33); lost piece of money (Peraea), (Lu. 
15:8-10); prodigal son (Peraea), (Lu. 15:11-32); 
dishonest steward (Peraea), (Lu. 16:1-13); 
rich man and Lazarus (Peraea), (Lu. 
16:19-31); master and servant (Peraea), Lu. 
17:7-10); importunate widow (Peraea), (Lu. 
18:1-8); Pharisee and publican (Peraea), (Lu. 



20 



APPENDIX D 



18:9-14); pounds (near Jerusalem), (Lu. 
19:12-27). 'Parable,' John 10:6, A. V., is in 
Greek 'proverb' (paroimia). The parable of 
the vine is peculiar to John (John 15:1-16) 
House on rock, sand (near Capernaum), (Matt. 
7; Lu. 6); leaven (Galilee), (Matt. 13; Lu. 13) 
lost sheep (Peraea), (Matt. 18; Luke 15) 
candle under bushel (L. of Galilee), (Matt. 5 
Mk. 4; Lu. 8); new cloth, old garment (L. of 
Galilee), (Matt. 9; Mk. 2; Lu. 5); new wine 
old bottles (L. of Galilee), (Matt. 9; Mk. 2; 
Lu. 5); sower (L. of Galilee), (Matt. 13; Mk 
4; Lu. 8); mustard seed (L. of Galilee), (Matt, 
13; Mk. 4; Lu. 13); vineyard and husband- 
men (Jerusalem), (Matt. 21; Mk. 12; Lu. 20) 
young leaves of fig-tree (Mt. of Olives), (Matt. 
24; Mk. 13; Lu. 21). 

Paradise; Eden, (Gen. 2:15); Heaven, (Lu. 
23:43; 2 Cor. 12:4); Adam expelled from, 
(Gen. 3:22). 

Partaker; a sharer, having a part of. Par- 
takers of their spiritual things, (Rom. 15:27); 
partaker of his hope, (1 Cor. 9:10); partaker 
with the altar, (v. 13) ; partaker of that one 
Bread, (1 Cor. 10:17, 18); partaker of Lord's 
table and of the table of demons, (v. 21) 
partaker of the glory, (1 Pet. 5:1); partaker 
of his evil deeds, (2 John 11) ; be not par- 
takers with them, (Bph. 5:7); be not partak- 
ers of other men's sins, (1 'Tim. 5:22); par- 
takers of Christ, (Heb. 3:14); partakers of the 
Holy Spirit, (Heb. 6:4); partakers of His holi- 
ness, (Heb. 12:10). 

Passover; a Jewish feast used as a type cf 
Christ. Instituted, (Ex. 12:13); laws concern 
Ing, (Lev. 23:4, 5; Deut. 16:2); Christ our 
passover, (1 Cor. 5:7). As the blood of the 
paschal lamb protected the children of Israel 
from the destroying angel, so the blood of 
Christ protects the believer from the curse 
of the law; and, as the flesh of the lamb was 
to be eaten by those who celebrated the pass- 
over, so the true believer, in a spiritual sense, 
eats of the body of Christ, (John 6:53-56). 

Patience; endurance, steadfastness. Exhor- 
tations to patience, (Lu. 21:19; Rom. 12:12; 
1 Thess. 5:14; 2 Thess. 3:5; 1 Tim. 3:3; 6:11; 
Jas. 1:3; 5:7; Heb. 12:1; 1 Pet. 2:20; 2 Pet. 
1:6); blessings resulting from patience, (Rom 
5:3; 15:4; Heb. 6:12; Rev. 2:2; 3:10). The 
patience of Christ grows in the believer, as 
the self-life expires. 

Peace; tranquillity of spirit, deep rest of 
soul, growing out of conscious reconciliation 
to God through Jesus Christ. Have peace one 
with another, (Mk. 9:50); way of peace, (Lu. 
1:79); on earth peace, (2:14); peace I leave 
with you, (John 14:27); in Me ye have peace, 
(John 16:32); we have peace with God through 
Jesus Christ, (Rom. 5:1); fill you with peace, 
(Rom. 15:13); God hath called us to peace, 
(1 Cor. 7:15); live in peace, (2 Cor. 13:11); 
peace is an element in the fruit of the Spirit, 
(Gal. 5:22, 23); He is our peace, (Bph. 2:14); 
peace of God, (Phil. 4:7); peace of God rule 
in your heart, (Col. 3:15); follow peace, (Heb. 



12:14); let him seek peace, (1 Pet. 3:11). 
The way to get peace and retain It, is to let 
Christ rule in your heart. 

Perfect; wanting nothing, answering to 
God's ideal for His people, (Matt. 5:48); 
among those who are perfect, (1 Cor. 2:6); 
strength perfect in weakness, (2 Cor. 12:9); 
be perfect, (2 Cor. 13:11); a perfect man, 
(Eph. 4:13 — this is the standard of perfec- 
tion); not . . . already perfect, (Phil. 
3:12); as many as be perfect, (v. 15); pre- 
sent every man perfect in Christ, (Col. 1:28); 
perfect . . . in all the will of God, (4:12); 
man of God may be perfect, (2 Tim. 3:17); 
make you perfect in every good work, (Heb. 
13:21); let patience have her perfect work, 
that ye may be perfect, (Jas. 1:4). One ap- 
proximates perfection, as the life of Christ is 
being developed in him more and more. 

Persecute; blessed are ye when men perse- 
cute you, (6 Matt. 5:11, 44); when they perse- 
cute you, . , . flee, (Matt. 10:23); bless 
those who persecute you, (Rom. 12:14) ; if they 
persecute Me, they will persecute you, (John 
15:20); why do you persecute Me, (Acts 9:4); 
I persecuted this way to death, (Acts 22:4); 
I persecuted them to strange cities, (Acts 
26:11); being persecuted, we suffer it, (1 Cor. 
4:12); because I persecuted the assembly of 
God, (1 Cor. 15:9); persecuted, but not for- 
saken, (2 Cor. 4:9); persecuted him that was 
born of the Spirit, (4:20); have persecuted 
us, (1 Thess. 2:15); who was a persecutor, 
(1 Tim. 1:13); all who live godly in Christ 
Jesus shall suffer persecution, (2 Tim. 3:12). 

Please, pleased; those who are in the flesh 
can not please God, (Rom. 8:8); not to please 
ourselves, (Rom. 15:1); please his neighbor, 
(v. 2); please all men, (1 Cor. 10:33); do I 
seek to please men, (Gal. 1:10); please God, 
(1 Thess. 4:1); without faith impossible to 
please God, (Heb. 11:6); Christ pleased not 
Himself, (Rom. 15:3); Enoch pleased God, 
(Heb. 11:5); with such sacrifices God is well 
pleased, (13:16). To please and glorify God 
are the great ends of the true Christian's life. 

Power; power on earth to forgive sins, 
(Matt. 9:6); all power is given to Me, (Matt. 
28:18); His word was with power, (Lu. 4:32); 
power of the Lord to heal them, (5:17); till 
ye be endued with power, (.24:49); power (or 
right) to become the sons of God, (John 1:12) ; 
power over all flesh, (17:2); ye shall receive 
power, (Acts 1:8); power of God unto salva- 
tion, (Rom. 1:16); to make His power known, 
(9:22); no power but of God, (13:1); Christ 
the power of God, (1 Cor. 1:24); demonstra- 
tion of the Spirit and power, (2:4); that your 
faith may stand ... in the power of God, 
(v. 5); gathered together with the power of 
the Lord, (5:4); excellency of the power may 
be, (2 Cor. 4:7); Gospel came to you not in 
word, but in power, (1 Thess. 1:5); the work 
of faith with power, (2 Thess. 2:11); spirit of 
power and of love, (2 Tim. 1:7); kept by 
the power of God, (1 Pet. 1:5); divine power, 
(2 Pet. 1:3); power over the nations, (Rev. 



APPENDIX D 



21 



2:26); the power of His resurrection, (Phil. 
3:10). 

Pray; prayer; pray for those who despite- 
fully use you, (Matt. 5:44); watch and pray, 
(26:41); whatsoever things ye desire, when 
ye pray, (Mk. 11:24); watch and pray always, 
(Lu. 21:36); I pray for them, (John 17:9); 
neither pray I for these alone, (v. 20) ; went 
on the house-top to pray, (Acts 10:9); know 
not what we should pray for, (Rom. 8:26); 
pray you in Christ's stead, (2 Cor. 5:20); do 
not cease to pray, (Col. 1:9); pray without 
ceasing, (1 Thess. 5:17); pray everywhere, (1 
Tim. 2:8); let him pray, (Jas. 5:13); pray 
for one another, (v. 16) ; praying in the Holy 
Spirit, (Jude 20); that your prayers be not 
hindered, (1 Pet. 3:7); goes not out but by 
prayer, (Mk. 9:29); prayer to be made for all 
men, (1 Tim. 2:i); prayer of faith shall save 
the sick. (Jas. 5:15). 

Preach; to proclaim as a herald. Jesus be- 
gan to preach, (Matt. 4:17); John preached 
the baptism of repentance, (Mk. 1:4); preach 
deliverance to the captives, (Lu. 4:18); preach 
the kingdom of God, (9:60); preached Christ 
to them, (Acts 8:5); preached Jesus to him, 
(v. 35) ; word of faith which we preach, (Rom. 
10:8); how shall they preach, except they be 
sent, (v. 15) ; we preach Christ crucified, (1 
Cor. 1:23); we preach not ourselves, but 
Christ, (2 Cor. 4:5); preach the word, (2 Tim. 
4:2); remission of sins be preached in His 
name, (Lu. 24:47); preached the faith he once 
destroyed, (GaL 1:23); preach peace to you, 
(Bph. 2:17). 

Preacher; a Gospel herald, who may be a 
pastor or an evangelist. A Gospel preacher 
should be called by God -to preach; then he 
should be qualified for his work, (Lu. 24:49; 
Acts 1:8; Gal. 1:16), ordained, (1' Tim. 
2:7); should have certain other qualifications, 
(3:1-7). There is no higher calling on earth. 

Price; Jesus Christ was the price paid for 
human redemption, (1 Cor. 6:20; 1 Pet. 1:18 
19). 

Pride; when pride comes, then comes 
shame, (Prov. 11:2); by pride comes conten 
tion, (13:10); pride goes before destruction, 
(16:18); man's pride shall bring- him low, 
(29:23); blasphemy, pride, foolishness, (Mk. 
7:21, 22); lifted up with pride, he shall fall, 
(1 Tim. 3:6); pride of life, (1 John 2:16). 
Pride is, in a large sense,' the essence of 
pravity. 

Prince; as a prince you have power with 
God and with men, (Gen. 32:28); Prince of 
Peace, (Isa. 9:6); Michael your prince, (Dan. 
10:21); prince of this world, (John 12:31) 
prince of the world comes, (14:30); prince 
of this world is judged, (16:11); Prince of 
life, (Acts 3:15); to be a Prince and a Savior, 
(5:31); prince of the power of the air, (Eph, 
2:2); Prince of the kings of the earth, (Rev, 
1:5). 

Promise; something God proposeth to give 
to His people, usually in connection with com- 
Dliance with some condition, or conditions. 



The promise of the Father, (Lu. 24:49; also 
11:13); promise of the Father, (Acts 1:4); 
promise is to you and to your children, (Acts 
2:39); that the promise might be sure, (Rom. 
4:16); children of the promise are counted for 
the seed, (Rom. 9:8); we . . . are the 
children of the promise, (Gal. 4:28); having 
promise of the life that now is, (4:8); lest a 
promise being left us, (Heb. 4:1); inherit the 
promise, (Heb. 6:12); having these promises, 
(2 Cor. 7:1); exceeding great and precious 
promises, (2 Pet. 1:4; see also John 4:14; 
14:20, 21, 23; Eph. 3:16-19). 

Repentance and faith in Christ are the con- 
ditions of pardon and salvation; consecration, 
prayer, and faith, the conditions of entering 
upon the Spirit-filled life; opening the door to 
Jesus, the condition upon which He cometh 
within to abide, (Rev. 3:20); whole-hearted 
obedience is the condition of the Savior's man- 
ifestation to the believer, and of the incoming 
and abiding of the Father, (John 14:21, 23). 

Propitiation; that which satisfies divine jus- 
tice, and secures God's favor. Whom God 
hath set forth as a propitiation through faith 
in His [Christ's] blood, (Rom. 3:25); He 
[Christ] is the propitiation for our sins, (1 
John 2:2); sent His Son as a propitiation for 
our sins, (1 John 4:10). 

N. B. Christ hath removed the cause of the 
divine displeasure against man, and hath also 
procured God's favor, through His own vicari- 
ous death in which He put away sin, (Heb. 
9:26). 

Prove; test, demonstrate, come to know. 
Prove what is the good, acceptable, and per- 
fect will of God, (Rom. 12:2); prove the sin- 
cerity of your love, (2 Cor. 8:8); prove your 
own selves, (2 Cor. 13:5); let every man prove 
his own work, (Gal. 6:4); prove all things, 
hold fast that which is good, (1 Thess. 5:21); 
proving, (Eph, 5:10; Acts 9:22). 

Punish; suffering inflicted for wrong-doing. 
Punish with destruction, (2 Thess. 1:9); re- 
serve the unjust to be punished, (2 Pet. 2:9); 
go away into everlasting punishment, (Matt. 
25:46); how much sorer punishment, (Heb. 
10:29; see also Rev. 20:10; Mk. 9:43-48). 



R. 



Ransom; the price paid in redemption. 
Christ is the ransom for His people, (Matt. 
20:28; Isa, 53:10, 11; Dan, 9:24, 26; 1 Tim. 
2:6; Tit. 2:14; 1 Pet, 1:18, 19). 

Reconcile; to placate, appease, make atone- 
ment. Reconcile both to God in one body by the 
cross,- (Eph. 2:16); reconcile all things to 
Himself, (Col. 1:20); reconciling the world 
to Himself, (2 Cor. 5:19); when enemies, we 
were reconciled to God by the death of His 
Son, (Rom. 5:10); be ye reconciled to God, 
(2 Cor. 5:20); ministry of reconciliation, (2 
Cor. 5:18). Christ gave Himself a ransom 
for sinners with the view to reconciling the 
world to Himself. The acceptance of the suf- 



22 



APPENDIX D 



ferings of Christ by the Father shows the 
great value of the Son's sacrifice. 



Redeem; to buy baclt, to purchase. Christ 
hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, 
(Gal. 3:13); redeemed with His precious 
blood, (1 Pet. 1:18); redeemed us to God by 
His blood, (Rev. 3:9); redeemed from among 
men, (Rev. 14:4); redemption in Christ Jesus,] 
(Rom. 3:24); waiting for the redemption of Pet. 4:14). 
the body, (Rom. 3:24); Christ is made re- 
demption to us, (1 Cor. 1:30); obtained eter- 
nal redemption for us, (Heb. 9:12). Redemp- 
tion, as coming from the Father, was the re- 
sult of the gift of His Son, (John 3:16); as 
coming from the Son, redemption is the re- 
sult of His voluntary sacrifice for sinners, 
(Heb. 9:26). 



conviction of sin, if one yields to conviction; 
and repentance opens the way for saving faith. 
Rest. Come to Me . . . and I will give 
you rest; ... ye shall find rest, (Matt. 
11:28, 29); we who have believed do enter in- 
to rest, (Heb. 4:3; see also vs. 9, 10, 11); the 
dead in the Lord rest from their labors, 
(Rev. 14:13); Spirit of God rest upon you, (1 



Reign; to rule as King. Reign in life by 
One, Jesus Christ, (Rom. 5:17); if we suffer 
with Him, we shall also reign with Him, (2 
Tim. 2:12; see also Rom. 8:17); we shall reign 
on the earth, (Rev. 5:10); they shall reign 
with Christ a thousand years, (Rev. 20:4) — 
[this thousand years is the millennium]. The 
full overcomers are tte ones who will sit with 
Jesus in His throne, and reign with Him, (Rev 
3:21). Suffering with Jesus in the present life 
is an essential condition of reigning with Him 
in the life to come. We must suffer the eru 
cifixion with Him (2 Cor. 4:10, 11; Gal. 2:20), 
and suffer reproach for Him, (Heb. 11:25, 26). 

Rejoice. Rejoice that your names have 
been written in Heaven, (Lu. 10:20); rejoice 
in hope of the glory of God, (Rom. 5:2); re- 
joice with those who rejoice, (Rom. 12:15); 
rejoice in Christ Jesus, (Phil. 3:3); rejoice in 
the Lord, (Phil. 4:4); rejoice evermore, (1 
Tness. 5:16); rejoice with joy unspeakable, 
(1 Pet. 1:8)); rejoiced because they were ac- 
counted worthy to suffer for His name, (Acts 
5:41); rejoice in hope, (Rom. 12:12). When 
Christ is reigning in our hearts, we can re- 
joice evermore. 

Repent, repentance; to change one's mind, 
to give up sin and turn from it, after-thought. 
Repent, for the Kingdom of Heaven is at 
hand, (Matt. 3:2); repent and believe the Gos- 
pel, (Mk. 1:15); preached, that men should 
repent, (Mk. 6:12); except ye repent, (Lu. 
12:3); if he repent, forgive him, (Lu. 17:3); 
repent, and be immersed, (Acts 2:38); repent, 
and be converted, (3:19); repent of this your 
wickedness, (Acts 8:22); now commandeth all 
men to repent, (17:30); that they should re- 
pent and turn to God, (26:20); fruits meet 
for repentance, (Matt. 3:8); immersion of re- 
pentance, (Mk. 1:4); that repentance and re- 
mission of sins be preached, (Lu. 24:47); God 
to the Gentiles hath granted repentance, (Acts 
11:18); testifying repentance toward God, 
(20:21); goodness of God leads to repentance, 
(Rom. 2:4); gifts of God are without repent- 
ance, (11:29); Godly sorrow works repent- 
ance, (2 Cor. 7:10); found no place for re- 
pentance, (Heb. 12:17). Repentance follows 



Resurrection; the rising of the body from 
the dead. They are sons of God, being sons 
of the resurrection, (Lu. 20:36); resurrection 
of life — resurrection of judgment, (John 5:29); 
preached Jesus and the resurrection, (Acts 
17:18); in the likeness of His resurrection, 
(Rom. 6:5); power of His resurrection, (Phil. 
3:10); the out-resurrection, (v. 11); the resur- 
rection discussed, (1 Cor. 15:12-57); a thou- 
sand years between the resurrection of the 
just and of the unjust, (Rev. 20:5). 

Reward; compensation, recompense. Great 
is your reward in Heaven, (Matt. 5:12); they 
have their reward, (Matt. 6:2); reward is not 
reckoned of grace, (Rom. 4:4); every man 
shall receive his own reward, (1 Cor. 3:8); 
if a man's work abide, ... he shall re- 
ceive a reward, (v. 14); let no man beguile 
you of your reward, (Col. 2:18); receive the 
reward of the inheritance, (3:24); laborer is 
worthy of reward, (1 Tim. 5:18); the Lord re- 
ward him according, (2 Tim. 4:14); just rec- 
ompense of reward, (Heb. 2:2); had respect 
to the recompense of reward, (Heb. 11:26); 
may receive a full reward, (2 John 8); My 
reward is with Me, (Rev. 22:12); Rewarder 
of those who diligently seek Him, (Heb. 11:6). 

Ricli; riches constitute a great difficulty in 
the way of salvation, (Matt. 19:23, 24; 13:22; 
Mk. 10:23-25; 1 Tim. 6:9, 10; Lu. 6:24; 16:1); 
rich in good works, (1 Tim. 6:18); rich in 
faith, (Jas. 2:5); I know your poverty, but 
you are rich, (Rev. 2:9); Jesus was rich, but 
became poor, that ye . . . may be rich, 
(2 Cor. 8:9). The dutiful believer may be en- 
riched with the fellowship of each Person in 
the God-head, (John 17-23; Eph. 3:16-19); 
with "the fruit of the Spirit," Gal. 5:22, 23); 
with the gifts of the Spirit, (1 Cor. 12:8-11); 
with regal honors, (Rev. 3:21); with all things, 
(Rev. 21:7). 

Righteousness; a state of rightness result- 
ing from perfect conformity to the require- 
ments of law, (Deut. 6:25). Happy are those 
who hunger and thirst after righteousness, 
(Matt. 5:6); in holiness and righteousness, 
(Lu. 1:75); Christ is the end of the law for 
righteousness, (Rom. 10:4); Christ is our right- 
eousness, (1 Cor. 1:30; 2 Cor. 5:21; Phil. 3:9; 
Rom. 3:22); yield your members as instru- 
ments of righteousness, (6:13); servants of 
righteousness, (vs. 18, 19) ; righteousness 
which is of faith, (Rom. 10:6, 10); righteous- 
ness of the law fulfilled in us through the life 
of Jesus in us, (Rom. 8:4). Christ's righteous- 
ness is imputed to us in justification, and im- 
parted to us in sanctification. 



APPENDIX D 



23 



Saints, holy ones; frequently applied to 
Christians who are carnal; as, 1 Cor. 1:2; 
Eph. 1:1, etc., as compared with 1 Cor. 3:1-3; 
Eph. 3:16, 17. Called saints, (Rom. 1:7; 1 Cor. 
1:2; 2 Cor. 1:1; Eph. 1:1; Col. 1:2, etc.). 
Christians were called saints, not called to be 
saints. He maketh intercession for the saints, 
(Rom. 8:27); ministering to the necessities of 
saints, (12:13); minister to the saints, (15:25); 
saints shall judge the world, (1 Cor. 6:2); 
less than the least of all saints, (Eph. 3:8); 
for perfecting the saints, (Eph. 4:12); com- 
ing of Jesus with all His saints, (1 Thess. 
3:13); to be glorified in His saints, (2 Thess. 
1:10); prayers of the saints, (Rev. 5:8); make 
war with the saints, (Rev. 13:7); patience of 
the saints, (Rev. 14:12); blood of the saints, 
(Rev. 16:6). 

Salvation. Salvation is of the Jews, (John 
4:22); neither is there salvation in any other, 
(Acts 4:12); Gospel the power of God to sal- 
vation, (Rom. 1:16) ; now is our salvation near- 
er than, (13:11); the Gospel of your salvation, 
(Eph. 1:13); work out your own salvation, 
(Phil. 2:12); hope of salvation, (1 Thess. 5:8); 
liath chosen you to salvation, (2 Thess. 2:13); 
to obtain salvation, (2 Tim. 2:10); wise unto 
salvation, (2 Tim. 3:15); grace of God brings 
salvation, (2:11); heirs of salvation, (Heb. 
1:14); if we neglect so great salvation, (Heb. 
2:3); Captain or our salvation, (Heb. 2:10); 
Author of eternal salvation, (5:9); kept 
through faith unto salvation, (1 Pet. 1:5); re- 
ceiving the end of your faith, the salvation 
of your souls, (1 Pet. 1:9). Salvation is by 
grace through faith, (Eph. 2:5). 

Sanctify. (See holiness.) 

Satan; the Devil, Serpent, Beelzebub. Sa- 
tan appears to be a fallen angel, (2 Pet. 2:4; 
Jude 6). The Scriptures represent Satan as 
the god of this world, (John 14:30); as prince 
of the demons, (Matt. 12:24); he performed 
the serpent's work in Eden, (Gen. 3:1-5); 
tempts the Savior, (Matt. 4:1-11); the agent 
that ministers disease to people, (Lu. 13:16; 
Acts 10:38); the accuser of the brethren, 
(Rev. 12:10); to be cast down from the 
Tieavens, (Rev. 12:9); gives his power to the 
iDeast, or Anti-Christ, (Rev. 13:2); is cast into 
the abyss, and kept there for a thousand years, 
(Rev. 20:1-3); is released again, (Rev. 20:7); 
stirs up a revolt among the people, (vs. 8, 9) ; 
Is to be cast into the lake of fire, and torment- 
ed forever, (v. 10). 

Save; to rescue from Hell, or from Satan. 
He shall save His people from their sins, 
(Matt. 1 : 21) ; who will save his life shall lose 
it, (Matt. 16:25); to save that which was lost, 
(Matt. 18:11); not to judge the world, but to 
save the world, (John 12:47); save yourselves 
from this untoward generation, (Acts 2:40) 
"by the foolishness of preaching to save those 
who believe, (1 Cor. 1:21); to save sinners, 
(1 Tim. 1:15); to save to the uttermost, (Heb. 
7:25); prayer of faith shall save the sick, 



(Jas. 5:14, 15); converts a sinner shall save 
a soul, (Jas. 5:20); your faith has saved you, 
(Lu. 7:50); are there few that are saved? 
(13:23); He saved oihers, Himself He can 
not save, (Matt. 27:42); that the world 
through Him might be saved, (John 3:17); 
no other name whereby we must be saved, 
(Acts 4:12); what must I do to be saved, 
(Acts 16:30); believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, 
and you shall be saved, (v. 31) ; saved by hope, 
(Rom. 8:24); by grace are ye saved, (Eph. 
2:5); righteous scarcely be saved, (1 Pet. 
4:18). 

Serve; obey, worship. No man can serve 
two masters, (Matt. 6:24). Ye can not serve 
God and Mammon, (same) ; serve Him with- 
out fear, (Lu. 1:74); if a man serve Me, let 
him follow Me, (John 12:26); Whose I am, 
and Whom I serve, (Acts 27:23); Whom I 
serve with my spirit, (Rom. 1:9); henceforth 
should not serve sin, (Rom. 6:6j; serve in 
newness of spirit, (7:6); with my mind I serve 
the law of God, (v. 25); ye serve the Lord 
Jesus Christ, (3:24); by love serve one an- 
other, (Gal. 5:13); to serve the Living God, 
(1 Thess. 1:9); serve God acceptably, (Heb. 
12:28); serve Him day and night, (Rev. 7:15). 

Servant; whosoever will be chief among 
you, let him be your servant, (Matt. 20:27); 
well done, good and faithful servant, (Matt. 
25:21); the servant is not greater than his 
lord, (John 13:16); made myself servant to 
all, 1 Cor. 9:19); if I yet please men, I should 
not be the servant of Christ, (Gal. 1:10); 
took on Him the form of a servant, (Phil. 
2:7); the servant of the Lora must not strive, 
(2 Tim. 2:24); yield yourselves servants to 
obey, (Rom. (5:16); ye became servants of 
righteousness, (v. 19) ; be not ye the servants 
of men, (1 Cor. 7:23); His servant shall serve 
Him, (Rev. 22:3). 

Sheep; used metaphorically to denote God's 
people. The sheep shall be scattered, (Zech. 
13:7); as sheep having no shepherd, (Matt. 
9:36); lost sheep of the house of Israel, (Matt. 
70:6); have a hundred sheep, and one, (18:12); 
divideth the sheep from goats, (25:32); set 
the sheep on His right hand, (v. 33) ; parable 
of the sheep, (John 10:2-17); My sheep hear 
My voice, (v. 27) ; feed My lambs, feed My 
sheep, (John 21:15-17). Lambs, when young, 
are very helpless; it is only when they be- 
come sheep that they are skillful in distin- 
guishing voices. This is as true of believers 
as of lambs and sheep. 

Shepherd; this term is often applied to pas- 
tors of assembles, as also to Christ. The Lord 
is my Shepherd, (Psa. 23:1;) see Ezek. 
34:2-23; awake, O sword, against My Shep- 
herd, (Zech. 13:7); the good Shepherd giveth 
His life for the sheep, (John 10:11); there 
shall be one fold, and one Shepherd, (v. 16) ; 
the Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the 
sheep, (Heb. 13:20); returned to the Shepherd 
and overseer of your souls, (1 Pet. 2:25); 
when the chief Shepherd shall appear, (1 Pet. 
5:4). 



24 



APPENDIX D 



Sin; the violation of law [this is a sin of 
commission]; failing to obey the law, or any 
commandment of God is a sin of omission. 
Sin introduced into our race, (Gen. 3:1-15) 
all the race conceived in sin, (Psa. 51:5); all 
have sinned, (Rom. 5:12); Christ was made 
sin for us, (2 Cor. 5:21); Christ put away 
sin by the sacrifice of Himself, (Heb. 9:2G); 
the blood of Jesus Christ . . . cleanseth 
us from all sin, (1 John 1:7); if we confess 
our sins, He is faithful . . . to forgive us our 
sins, (1:9); Who bore our sins in His own 
body on the tree, (1 Pet. 2:24); Christ also 
once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, 
(3:18); washed us from our sins in His own 
blood, (Rev. 1:5). 

Soul; man became a living soul, (Gen. 2:7) 
serve Him with all your heart and soul, (Deut. 
11:13); are not able to kill the soul, (Matt 
10:28); the soul that sins, it shall die, (Bzek 
18:4); that the soul be without knowledge is 
not good, (Prov. 19:2); hear and your soul 
shall live, (Isa. 55:3); may your spirit, soul, 
and body be. preserved entire, without blame, 
(1 Thess. 5:23); piercing even to the di- 
viding asunder of soul and spirit, (Heb. 4:12); 
believe to the saving of the soul, (Heb. 10:39) ; 
if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his 
own soul, (Matt. 16:26); now is my soul 
troubled, (John 12:27); may you prosper and 
be in health, as your soul prospers, (3 John 
2); shall save a soul from death, (Jas. 5:20) 

REMARKS. 

1. The word soul in several of the examples 
above seems to stand for the whole of man's 
immaterial existence. 

2. Soul and spirit are plainly distinguished 
in 1 Thess. 5:23, and Heb. 4:12. 

3. The body allies man to the animal crea- 
tion; the soul, to the intellectual; and the 
spirit, to the moral. The soul appears to be 
the connecting link between the spirit and 
body. 

4. The wreckage, done in the fall to the 
spirit and soul, resulted in abnormal self-hood, 
or a being whose original powers were di 
verted from God, and centered in self; thus 
constituting him a self-serving, self-interest 
ed, and selfish being. Hence the salvation of 
the soul necessitates the annulment of self- 
hood, and the impartation of a new spirit 
(John 3:6), involving a new life in Christ. 
The cross, which we are to bear, is to be ap 
plied to self, and its work will not be done, 
until self is annulled, and the soul is free. 

Sow; used figuratively to denote one's man 
ner of life, or course of conduct. Those who 
sow in tears shall reap in joy, (Psa. 126:5); 
blessed are ye that sow beside all waters, (Isa. 
32:20); sower went forth to sow, (Matt. 13:3); 
sow the wind, reap the whirlwind, (Hos. 8:7); 
if we have sown to you spiritual things, (1 
Cor. 9:11); sown in corruption, . . . sown 
in dishonor, . . . sown a natural body, 
(1 Cor. 15:42, 43, 44); multiply your seed 



sown, 2 Cor. 9:10); one sows and another 
reaps, (John 4:37); sow sparingly, . . .sow 
bountifully, (2 Cor. 9:6); what a man soweth, 
that shall he also reap, (Gal. 6:7); soweth to 
his flesh shall reap corruption, (v. 8). 

Spirit; Holy Spirit, the Third Person in \he 
God-head. The Spirit, the Author of the Bible, 
(1 Tim. 3:16; 2 Pet. 1:21); the Agent Who 
convicts the sinner, (John 16:8); the Agent of 
regeneration, (.John 3:5, 6, 8); the Bestower 
of His gifts, (1 Cor. 12:8-11); the Revealer 
of Christ in the Spirit-filled believer, (John 
14:17-20; Eph. 3:16, 17); the Architect of a 
holy character in the Christ-indwelt believer, 
(Gal. 5:22, 23; 2 Cor. 3:18); the Teacher of 
the truly surrendered believer, (John 14:26); 
the Guide into all truth, (John 16:13); the 
Revealer of the things of Christ, (v. 14) ; the 
Revealer of things to come, (v. 13). 

N. B. Let no one suppose that either Per- 
son in the Holy Trinity worketh apart from 
the other Persons in the God-head; what each 
One doeth. He doeth in co-operation with the 
Others. It is the Triune God that worketh 
redemption. 

Stand; to occupy a firm position, to main- 
tain a Christian walk, etc. A house divided 
against itself can not stand, (Matt. 12:25); this 
grace wherein ye Stand, (Rom. 5:2); God is 
able to make him stand, (Rom. 14:4); by 
faith ye stand, (2 Cor. 1:24); having done all. 
to stand, (Eph. 6:13); grace of God wherein 
ye stand, (1 Pet. 5:12); I stand at the door, 
(Rev. 3:20); stand fast in the faith, (1 Cor. 
16:13); stand fast in the liberty, (Gal. 5:1); 
stand fast in one spirit, (Phil. 1:27); stand 
fast in the Lord, (Phil. 4:1); we live, if ye 
stand fast in the Lord, (1 Thess. 3:8); to his 
own master he stands or falls, (Rom. 14: '4); 
let him that thinks he stands, take heed lest 
fall, (1 Cor. 10:12); the foundation of God 
stands sure, (2 Tim. 2:12); the Judge stands 
the door, (Jas. 5:9). To stand securely, 
the believer must recognize his standing in 
Christ, and admit Christ to rule in his heart. 

Steward; one who conducts business for 
another. A true servant of God is only a 
steward, recognizing that all under his con- 
trol belongs to the Lord; and he manages the 
business for the Lord. (See Lu. 12:42; 16:2; 
1 Cor. 4:1; Tit. 1:7; 1 Pet. 4:10). God wisheth 
stewards, and not proprietors, to manage His 
business. If all professed Christians were 
God's honest stewards, the world would speed- 
ily be evangelized. 

Strength; God girdeth me with strength, 
(Psa. 18:32); the Lord is the strength of my 
fe, (27:1); the Lord will give strength to 
His people, (29:11); God is our refuge and our 
strength, (46:1); God is the strength of my 
heart, (73:26); blessed is the man whose 
strength is in Thee, (84:5); shall renew their 
strength, (Isa. 40:31); strength of sin is the 
law, (1 Cor. 15:56); strengthen with might 
by Thy Spirit, (Eph. 3:16); God of grace stab- 
lish and strengthen you, (1 Pet. 5:10); 
strengthen the things that remain, (Rev. 3:2); 



APPENDIX D 



25 



the Lord stood with me and strengthened me, 
(2 Tim. 4:17); I can do all things through 
Christ, Who strengtheneth me, (Phil. 4:13), 
As we abide in Christ and He abideth in us. 
He imparts strength to our spirits, souls, and 
bodies, for His own glory. 

Strong; strong in faith, (Rom. 4:20); we 
who are strong should bear the infirmities of 
the weak, (Rom. 15:1); when I am weak, then 
am I strong, (2 Cor. 12:10); out of weakness 
were made strong, (Heb. 11:34); because ye 
are strong, (1 John 2:14); be strong, (1 Cor. 
1G:13). The way to be strong is to abide? 
whole-heartedly in Jesus, and let Him have 
His own way in us; ever recognizing the fact 
that, in ourselves, we are but weakness it 
self. 

Suffer; those who would be overcomers 
must suffer with Jesus — they must suffer the 
crucifixion with Him, (Gal. 2:20; 2 Cor. 4:10 
11); suffer reproach for His sake, (Heb. 11:25, 
2G) ; and have fellowship suffering with Him 
in His travail of soul for His people, (2 Cor, 
1:5; 4:10; Col. 1:24; Phil. 3:8, 10); if we 
suffer, we shall also reign with Him, (2 Tim. 
2:12); if we suffer with Him, we shall be glori- 
fied with Him, (Rom. 8:17); Christ suffered 
for us, leaving us an "example, (1 Pet. 2:21); 
after ye have suffered awhile, (1 Pet. 5:10). 
Christ" was made perfect through suffering, and 
we must travel the same road, if we would be 
made perfect, and thus be fitted to be glorified 
with Him, and reign with Him. 

Sufficient, sufficiency; adequate, ample sup- 
ply. Who is sufficient for these things, (2 Cor. 
2:10); not that we are sufficient of ourselves, 
(3:5); my grace is sufficient for you, (12:9); 
our sufficiency is of God, (3:5). In ourselves 
we are insufficient; in Christ we are sufficient; 
and in His power we become efficient. 

Supply; satisfy, give enough. My God shall 
supply all your need, (Phil. 4:19; see also 
Psa. 23:1; 2 Cor. 9:6, 12). In Christ is stored 
up all we need for our souls and spirits, and 
for our bodies as well. With Christ directing 
our lives, we shall want no good thing. 



Tabernacle; plan for its construction, (Ex. 
chs. 25-31); an account of its building, (36-38) 
The tabernacle was 45 feet in length by 15 
in width and 15 in height. It was divided in 
to two rooms (that were separated by cost 
ly curtains called the vail) ; the smaller room 
being called "the holy of holies," and in its 
dimensions it was 15 feet square; while the 
other room was 30x15 feet. 

This structure was a type of Christ; show- 
ing, by a sort of object lesson, how Christ 
deals with sin; and, cleansing the sinner in 
His own precious blood, introduces him, final- 
ly, into the most holy place, where God in 
His Tripersonality abides with him. [The stu- 
dent is advised to study some spiritual writer 
who has studied this subject; and no better 



work is known to the writer than that of 
C. M. Mclntosh.j 

Temperance; moderation in the pursuit or 
use of good things; as to things wrong in 
themselves, the language is, "Touch not, 
taste, not, handle nort." As he reasoned of 
temperance, (Acts 24:25); temper- 
ance is an element in the fruit of the Spirit, 
(Gal. 5:22, 23; see also 2 Pet. 1:6); temperate 
in all things, (1 Cor. 9:25; see also Tit. 1:8; 
2:2). 

Terhpt; test, try. You shall not tempt the 
Lord, (Matt. 4:7); have agreed together to 
tempt the Spirit of the Lord, (Acts 5:9); why 
tempt God to put a yoke on the neck of the 
disciples, (15:10); that Satan tempt you not, 
(1 Cor. 7:5); neither let us tempt Christ, 
(10:9); Jesus was tempted in the wilderness 
by Satan, (Matt. 4:1); will not suffer you to 
be tempted above that ye are able, (1 Cor. 
10:13); lest you also be tempted, (Gal. 6:1); 
the tempter have tempted you, (1 Thess. 
3:5); in the day of temptation in the wilder- 
ness, (Heb. 3:8); rich fall into temptation, 
(1 Tim. 6:9); blessed is the man who endures 
temptation, (Jas. 1:12); keep you from the 
hour of temptation, (Rev. 3:10). 

Note: Temptation does not, of necessity, 
imply that the party tempted has anything in 
him responsive to the temptation; for Jesus 
was tempted — i, e., tested or tried — by Satan, 
but He had no nature responsive to the 
tempter's lies. 

Talent; a talent of gold, about $24,000. The 
talent varied much in value. The old Hebrew 
talent was worth about $29,100; while the 
Roman talent, the one in use during the time 
our Savior was on earth, was worth about 
$24,000. 

Torment; pain, agony, intense suffering. 
Lest they come to this place of torment, (Lu. 
16:28); I am tormented in this flame, (v. 24); 
so much torment have they, (Rev. 18:7); the 
smoke of their torment ascends forever and 
ever, (Rev. 14:11); he is comforted, but you 
are tormented, (Lu. 16:25); they — the beast, 
the false prophet, and Satan — shall be tor- 
mented day and night forever and ever, (Rev. 
20:10). The torment appears to be soul-an- 
guish because of sin. The place of torment 
will, no doubt, add much to the sufferings 
of the lost. 

Trust; to rely upon, to believe in, etc. 
Trust in the Lord, (Psa. 37:3); blessed is the 
man that makes the Lord his trust, (Psa. 
40:4); Thou art my trust from my youth, 
(71:5); I will trust in Him at all times, (62:8); 
Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace whose 
mind is stayed upon Thee, because he trusts 
in Thee, (Isa. 26:3); how hard is it for those 
who trust in riches to enter the Kingdom of 
Heaven, (Mk. 10:24); should not trust in our- 
selves, (2 Cor. 1:9); who first trusted in 
Christ, (Bph. 1:12). Trust is a heart term. 

Truth; reality, or conformity to fact. God 
of truth, (Deut. 32:4); speaks the truth in his 
heart, (Psa. 15:2); Thou desirest truth in 






26 



APPENDIX D 



'^ 



the inward parts, (51:6); the truth of the 
Lord endures forever, (117:2); full of grace 
and truth, (John 1:14); I am the way, the 
truth, and the life, (14:6); guide you into 
all truth, (16:13, 14); if the truth shall make 
you free, ye shall be free indeed, (John 8:32); 
sanctify them in Thy truth; Thy word is 
truth, (John 17:17); speaking the truth in 
love, may grow up into Hiin in all things, 
(Bph. 4:15); taught Dy Him, as truth is in 
Jesus, (4:21); pillar and ground of the truth, 
(1 Tim. 3:15); having your loins girt about 
with truth, (Eph. 6:14); purified their hearts 
in obeying the truth, (1 Pet. 1:22). 

U. 

Understanding; the faculty of the mind with 
which we comprehend the truth. Who can 
understand his errors, (Psa. 19:12); have 
asked for yourself understanding, (1 Kings, 
3:18); astonished at His understanding, (Lu. 
2:47); He opened their understanding, 
(24:45); pray. with the understanding, (1 Cor. 
14:15); eyes of understanding being enlight 
ened, (Eph. 1:18); peace of God which passes 
understanding, (Phil. 4:7); filled with all spir- 
itual understanding, (Col. 1:9); riches of full 
assurance of understanding, (2:2); give you 
understanding in all things, (2 Tim. 2:7); hath 
given us an understanding, that we may know 
Him who is true, (1 John 5:20). 



W. 



A 



Vengeance. To Me belongs vengeance, 
(Deut. 32:35; Psa. 84:1); avenge not your- 
selves, . . . vengeance is Mine, I will re- 
pay, saith the Lord, (Rom. 12:19; see also 
Heb. 10:30); the day of the Lord's vengeance, 
(Isa. 34:8); these are the days of vengeance, 
(Lu. 21:22; see also 2 Thess. 1:8; Jude 7; 
Rev. 6:17). 

Victory; He will swallow up death in vie 
tory, (Isa. 25:8); till He send forth judgment 
unto victory, (Matt. 12:20); death is swal- 
lowed up in victory, (1 Cor. 15:54); O grave, 
where is your victory, (v. 55) ; thanks be to 
God, who giveth us the victory, (v. 57); this 
Is the victory that overcomes the world, (1 
John 5:4). To get full victory over the flesh, 
self, sin, the world, and the Devil, we must 
let the Holy Trinity rule in our hearts. 



Walk; manner of life, live, conduct. Ye 
shall walk after the Lord, (Deut. 13:4); though 
I walk through the valley, (Psa. 23:4); no 
good thing will He withhold from those who 
walk uprightly, (84:11); this is the way walk 
ye in it, (Isa. 30:21) ;_ walk humbly with your 
God, (Mic. 6:8); how can two walk together, 
except they be dgreed, (Amos 3:3); shall not 
walk in darkness, (John 8:12); walk in the 
day, he stumbles not, (11:9); walk in newness 
of life, (Rom. 6-: 4); walk not after the flesh 
(Rom. 8:4); we walk by faith, not by sight' 
(2 Cor. 5:7); walk worthy of the vocation! 
(Eph. 4:1); walk circumspectly, (5:15); if 
we walk in the light, (1 John 1:7); Enoch 
walked with God, (Heb. 11:5). To walk with 
God in unbroken fellowship, we must learn to 
live the Spirit-filled life, to have heart-union 
with Jesus, and have the Father make His 
abode with us, (John 14:17-23; Eph. 3:16-19). 

Wisdonn; knowledge rightly used. God gavfe 
Solomon wisdom, (1 Kgs. 4:29); wisdom is 
the principal thing— get wisdom, (Prov. 4:7); 
happy is the man that finds wisdom, (Prov. 
3:13-18); wisdom better than gold, (16:16); 
Christ the . . . wisdom of God, (1 Cor. 
1:24); Christ made wisdom to us, (v. 30); 
wisdom of the world is foolishness, (3:19); 
fleshly wisdom, (2 Cor. 1:12); filled with all 
wisdom, (Col. 1:9); walk in wisdom, (4:5); 
if any man lack wisdom, (Jas. 1:5); wisdom 
from above is pure, (3:17). As the life and 
nature of Jesus are built up in the believer 
more and more, he will increase in wisdom. 

NOTE TO READERS, STUDENTS, AND 
BIBLE TEACHERS. 

In studying the different subjects giver in 
this appendix, study the notes on all the 
Scriptures referred to in the New Testament, 
and seek to get the true meaning of the word 
in every passage; praying much that the Holy 
Spirit Himself may show you the true mean- 
ing; and then seek to get a comprehensive 
meaning of the word as illuminated by all the 
texts. And may the Lord greatly bless every 
one who shall study these lessons. 



1 1 Mr 3: 



>^/J 












lli^« 



<:^; 



-!f>^^?tM;;to^ 









LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 

liilllllllillliililllkl 
022 011 709 1 



